The Exorcist

The chilling movie we could not forget . . .

The Exorcist changed popular culture forever.Forty years ago, the movie that was based onWilliam Peter Blatty's runaway #1 bestseller—agroundbreaking story of faith and supernaturalsuspense—held audiences captive. Now this specialedition commemorates the 40th anniversary of the iconic film that paved the way for the entire genrethat followed it: the unforgettable The Exorcist.

When originally published in 1971, The Exorcist became not only a bestselling literary phenomenon, but one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever written. (When the author adapted his book to the screen two years later, it then became one of the most terrifying movies ever made.) The deceptively simple story focuses on Regan, the 11-year-old daughter of a movie actress residing in Washington, D.C.; the child apparently is possessed by an ancient demon. It's up to a small group of overwhelmed yet determined humans to somehow rescue Regan from this unspeakable fate. Purposefully raw and profane, this novel still has the extraordinary ability to literally shock us into forgetting that it is "just a story." The Exorcist remains a truly unforgettable reading experience. Blatty published a sequel, Legion, in 1983. --Stanley Wiater