The Exorcist
About this book
The Exorcist is a 1971 horror novel by American writer William Peter Blatty. The book details the demonic possession of eleven-year-old Regan MacNeil, the daughter of a famous actress, and the two priests who attempt to exorcise the demon. Published by Harper & Row, the novel was the basis of a highly successful film adaptation released two years later, whose screenplay was also written and produced by Blatty, and part of The Exorcist franchise. The novel was inspired by a 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism that Blatty heard about while he was a student in the class of 1950 at Georgetown University. As a result, the novel takes place in Washington, D.C., near the campus of Georgetown University. In September 2011, the novel was reprinted by Harper Collins to celebrate its fortieth anniversary, with slight revisions made by Blatty as well as interior title artwork by Jeremy Caniglia.
Reader Profile
4.2/5 · 281526 readers · 400 pages · ≈ 7 h 24 m · Moderate
How long does it take to read The Exorcist?
About ≈ 7 h 24 m — 400 pages, assuming roughly 250 words per page at 225 words per minute.
How many pages is The Exorcist?
400 pages in its most-read edition.
What genre is The Exorcist?
It sits on the Horror, Fiction shelves.
Has The Exorcist been made into a movie or TV show?
Yes — screen adaptations include The Exorcist: Believer (2023).
Is The Exorcist in the public domain?
No — it is still under copyright.
Who are the main characters in The Exorcist?
The main characters include Regan MacNeil, Lankester Merrin, Pazuzu, Chris MacNeil.
Where does The Exorcist take place?
It is set in Iraq, Africa, Georgetown.
Who wrote The Exorcist?
William Peter Blatty (1928–2017).