CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
There’s a passage in the book about the 3 stages of possession, and the odd smell, rappings in the environment, etc. is supposed to be the first stage – infestation.
She never said it smelled like burning in the movie. 🙁
In the book, the doctor gives a rational explanation as to why Regan said that. He asked Chris if her daughter had been seeing things or smelling things, and Chris said she kept smelling something bad in her bedroom. Then the doctor knew it was the smell of something burning! I said to myself, “Wait a sec, how did he know? Is Regan possessed or not?” 😉 Ohhh, it’s the best book ever!!
This is what makes the novel and the film so scary and believeable; it’s realistic, three-dimensional —
I’ve chatted with some people who loved the book but didn’t really like the movie as it tends to convince the audience that the possession is genuine.
Thanks for answering. 🙂
based on Blatty’s own statements and evidence internal to the novel’s structure, that the “genuine possessionâ€/supernaturalist view is the correct one.
But the great thing is that Blatty leaves it up to the reader to decide what happened. He said in an interview once that in part, he thinks that is why the novel is so interesting; and you are always in some doubt and suspense, because at every turn there seems to be a new medical or psychiatric explanation for what is happening to Regan.
I like psychiatry, so that’s why I really enjoy those extensive discussions and theories on Regan’s paranormal activities.
I thought other fans here would like this aspect of the book too.
