The Exorcist: 40th Anniversary Edition -- William Peter Blatty

<p><strong><em>What an excellent day for an exorcism...</em></strong></p><p>Originally published in 1971, <em>The Exorcist</em> remains one of the most controversial novels ever written. A literary phenomenon soon after its release, it spent fifty-seven weeks on the <em>New York Times</em> bestseller list, seventeen consecutively at number one. Inspired by the shockingly true story of a child's demonic possession in the 1940s, William Peter Blatty's iconic novel focuses on Regan, the eleven-year-old daughter of a movie actress residing in Washington, D.C. When sweet Regan's behavior turns sinister, a small group of overwhelmed yet determined individuals take it upon themselves to rescue the poor girl from her unspeakable fate. Timeless and terrifying, <em>The Exorcist </em>is a story that has gripped the public zeitgeist for nearly half a century.</p><p>Soon after its publication, <em>The Exorcist</em> became a wildly popular motion picture, garnering ten Academy Award nominations. On the opening day of the film, lines of fans stretched around city blocks. In Chicago, frustrated moviegoers used a battering ram to gain entry through the double side doors of a theater. In Kansas City, police used tear gas to disperse an impatient crowd who tried to force their way into a cinema. The three major television networks carried footage of these events, and CBS's Walter Cronkite devoted almost ten minutes to the story. <em>The Exorcist</em> was, and is, more than just a novel and a f