This post will be a ramble, so apologies in advance. I'll start off by saying: Yes, this story will scare the hell out of you. Read what you can, but read the author's bio, at least.

Side note: The author discusses in this Huffington Post article why he redid the story for the anniversary. When he narrated the audio the first time years ago, he was appalled with certain sections. Reading it out loud gave him a fresh perspective on how dialogue should be written and what the story was originally missing.

When people think of the title, they only remember the film, and the possessed young girl. Maybe pea soup. Right? One tends to forget the story is called The Exorcist, so it's actually the tale of one man fighting the evil demon who picks a young girl to reside in.

Is it any indication of my confidence level that I waited until my husband was around before I even pressed the button to download the audio of The Exorcist, the 40th Anniversary Edition read by the author William Peter Blatty? Of course it is. I love scary, but I am no fool when it comes to certain stories, and this one absolutely terrifies me.

A couple weeks ago, my husband and I drove from Virginia Beach to Boston to visit his family. That's eleven hours of driving, my friends, so I knew it was time for a good selection. With Halloween around the corner and a trip up the East Coast shoreline, it seemed just right to have a fright-fest audio that would satisfy my need for all things scary and would also keep my husband's attention. When the music from the movie started up, we were driving along a stretch of Route 13 that cuts through the Virginia peninsula into Maryland and it.was.dark. I left it all up to my husband to drive since I honestly don't think I could have listened and driven a car at the same time.

Without question, this audiobook is EXCELLENT. The story is incredible, the writing engaging, and the narration is perfect. Rarely can an author execute their own work effectively so it was a pleasant (and frightening) surprise when William Peter Blatty began the story and I immediately felt the hairs on the back of my next stand up.

The author's gravelly voice eerily narrated the events we all know: Chris MacNeil, American actress and single mother to twelve-year-old Regan, live in a rented house in Georgetown. Shortly after moving in, Regan begins to exhibit behavior and is medically diagnosed from everything from puberty to potential brain tumors. As events progress quickly, and although Chris is an atheist, she comes to the conclusion that Regan really may be possessed. Searching for help, she meets with Father Karras, a Jesuit priest at Georgetown University. Struggling with his own faith after his mother passes away, he takes on the responsibility of investigating whether or not Regan truly is possessed. Valid proof is required for the Catholic Church to approve an exorcism.

The infamous steps...

Putting aside the obvious fear-inducing anticipation that comes with forty years of urban legend, history, and stories about the movie, The Exorcist is much more than just horror. Yes, there are incredibly shocking scenes that are so disturbing, I'm fairly confident in proclaiming that no Hollywood production company will ever dare to remake this film. After all, Linda Blair was only fourteen-years-old when she played the role of twelve-year-old Regan, and there is no way that this role will ever be played again by a young child. It won't be allowed, and I think I'm just fine with that.

Many may think that a story like this wasn't written well, but that it gained notoriety because of the horror and the subject matter. But anyone who has spent the time to read the book or listen to the audio can attest otherwise. This touches on all things that may strike fear in our hearts, but it is also purely representative of an honest story of one child and her single mother who is trying to pay the bills. Surrounded by good friends, Chris MacNeil becomes the central figure of the initial story, and Father Karras is key to the second half. His foundation of faith is spoiled by his mother's passing, which is a gritty, yet tender approach to the sadness he feels on losing her. Working with Chris' family to understand Regan and the possession is a frightening battle of good and evil and when Father Merrin arrives, the experienced exorcist, the battle truly begins.

Without question, this story will scare the heck out of you. The scenes are sometimes so shocking that my husband and I were stunned, but the writing is impeccable and clearly relayed the events of terror that the young family experiences. While horror is the eventual result, the story is also meant to educate on what might happen if faith is tested. Whether or not you believe in God, this story will certainly give you pause. William Peter Blatty has documented (names changed to protect the innocent) the frightening story of one Jesuit priest battling evil to the point of ultimate sacrifice.

I would not recommend listening to this book by yourself. Ever.

Passage of Note (p.1)

Audio Notes
William Peter Blatty is the only person who can narrate this book. Now in his early eighties, I can only describe his voice as "dusty" or "gritty." The terrifying moments in which he narrates the demon's voice coming from Regan's body are believable and horrifying. My husband and I could not shut this audio off, and even spent one day driving lazily around town so we could listen to more. Click here to listen to the Audible.com sample. If you can do it, you will absolutely be "entertained" by this. I'm not sure if that's the best word...

Parental Note
It's just like the movie. So remember this contains incredibly graphic and disturbing s3xual scenes.

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Publisher: Harper Audio
Release Date: 9/22/11
Audio Time: 12 hours, 51 minutes
Narrator: William Peter Blatty

FTC Disclosure: I downloaded this audio from Audible.com

About the Author

William Peter Blatty was born in New York in 1928 and is an American writer and filmmaker, most known for The Exorcist, in which he wrote the book and the screenplay for the film, winning an Academy Award. I don't usually point people to a Wikipedia page, but really, the nuggets of information of this man's life are incredible. His mother sold quince jelly on the streets of New York and even offered it to FDR when he was in town? He went to a Jesuit school in Brooklyn when Joe Paterno was the quarterback of the football team? He joined the Air Force after graduate school and (after a series of random blue-collar jobs) became the head of the Policy Branch of the USAF Psychological Warfare Division? And then, after a series of books, he writes The Exorcist, that Blatty claims was initially a failure. Apparently, bookstores were shipping them back to the publisher, until "an extraordinary intervention of fate" occurred that he will not describe.

This is another selection for Carl's RIP celebration. For other participants' reviews, please click here.

Faith is often debated. An intangible subject, the weight is immeasurable yet uplifting, but can also be a crushing burden. In Jennifer Haigh's novel, the McGann family is at the very center of one of the most scandalous times in the Catholic community when Sheila's brother, a Catholic priest, is accused of the worst thing a priest, a man, can be accused of. Kath Conlon has accused Art of molesting her young son, Aidan.

In a torrential sequence of events, Art's sister Sheila and her brother Mike are brought together in the Boston suburbs of an Irish-Catholic family to deal with their tight-lipped mother and aging father, and simultaneously dealing with their own pasts and insecurities as they come to terms with the accusation. It devastates each in their own way, and of course, Art most of all. Relieved of his duties as a priest, he is relegated to a separate apartment, unable to wear his vestments and practice the Sacrament. Alone, and unsure of his next steps, any solace he may have found with his family is also troubled, and through Sheila, the one in the family with the least amount of faith, she tells the story bravely, assuredly, although with trepidation. It is with respect that each character's story is shared through Sheila's eyes.

In light of the terrible subject matter, it is beautifully told. Jennifer Haigh's writing is casual and heartfelt, relaying each event succinctly, in a quiet way that delivers the devastation suffered by two families. With the overlaying scandal of the Catholic community and its priests are two proud and tough Boston Irish Catholic families struggling to fight back and redeem each other, both in the public and with each other, but most importantly, for themselves. A moving and dedicated story, Jennifer Haigh's novel is a study of loyalty, truth, and ultimately, faith.

Therese Plummer is the narrator for this 10 hour, 7 minute unabridged audio, and she does an incredible job capturing the Boston accent, and creating distinction between each character. I think she does the most heartfelt and effective job as she voiced Kath Conlon, the mother of Aidan, the young boy. Kath is simultaneously mature and naive, and yet tormented by the poor choices she makes in her own life. Plummer's voice is the most pure, the most honest with this character, and it was tough to listen to at times.

An excellent audiobook and one that even the staunchest opposer of audio will find enthralling to listen to. Either way this story is experienced, whether through print or audio, Faith by Jennifer Haigh will easily generate debate and dialogue, and will be an excellent choice for a book club.

About the Author (from her website)

Jennifer Haigh is a novelist and short story writer. Her first book, Mrs. Kimble, won the 2004 PEN/Hemingway Award for debut fiction. Her second, Baker Towers, was a New York Times bestseller and won the 2006 PEN/L.L. Winship Award for outstanding book by a New England author. Both have been published in nine languages. Other fiction has been published in Granta, Ploughshares, Five Points, Good Housekeeping, and other places. Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Jennifer Haigh is a graduate of Dickinson College and the Iowa Writer's Workshop. She now lives in the Boston area but doesn't get out much. She maintains a large, lively circle of imaginary friends.

Click here to visit the author on her website.
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About the Narrator (from her website)

Therese Plummer is an actor and award winning voice over artist living and working in New York City. Favorite roles to date include TV: Rose Nerrick, The Good Wife, Andy in Law and Order: SVU. Therese is an award winning narrator of audio books and records for Audible.com, Recorded Books, John Marshall Media and Duart.

Click here to visit the actor on her website.