The Exorcist cover art

The Exorcist

A Novel

Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection of 900K+ titles.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto-renews for $8.99/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Exorcist

Written by: William Peter Blatty
Narrated by: William Peter Blatty, Eliana Shaskan
Try Standard free

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $41.07

Buy Now for $41.07

About this listen

"A horror story for all midnights." The Boston Globe

“Read the book. It's an experience you will never forget.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The phenomenal #1 bestseller that inspired the classic motion picture, which remains the most terrifying and unforgettable horror novel ever written.

Originally published in 1971, The Exorcist is a bestselling literary phenomenon and remains one of the most frightening and controversial novels ever written.

Based on true events of a child’s demonic possession in the 1940s, The Exorcist tells the story of eleven-year-old Regan MacNeil and her mother Chris, a famous actress and doting mother. When Regan’s personality unexpectedly shifts and she starts exhibiting disturbing, often violent behavior, her desperate mother is driven to seek help from two Catholic priests, men who will risk everything—including their own souls— to free the girl from the ancient malevolent force possessing her.

Purposefully raw and profane, this novel still has the extraordinary ability to shock readers and cause them to forget that it is “just a story.” More than fifty years after its initial publication, The Exorcist remains a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Genre Fiction Horror Psychological Scary Paranormal Fiction Fantasy Suspense Classics

Continue the series

Legion cover art
Legion Written by: William Peter Blatty

Featured Article: The Best Horror Movies Based on Books for Fans of Scary Movies

If you’re a horror genre fan, you’ve likely watched all the classic horror films and some eerie new releases. Audiobooks stand at the crossroads between books and movies, where you can enjoy thrilling horror novels and short stories with all the sound effects and acting talent of a Hollywood blockbuster. It doesn’t have to be Halloween for you to have a good scare. Whether it’s ghost stories or scary sci-fi tales that get you on the edge of your seat, we’ve gathered a list of the best horror movies based on books on Audible to add to your audio booklist.

All stars
Most Relevant
I have seen the movie and it is good but man! This is so much better. The characters in this book are so much more alive and the story more in depth. I also loved William Peter Blatty's narration, he makes the characters unbelievably real. If you are a fan of the movie give this a listen, there are gaps in the story you can't get on screen....♨️👹👺😨

Creepy goodness!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I can't imagine a better reading of this book than by the author. I was utterly captivated from start to finish. I love the movie, but this was another level. Graphic and disturbing at times, but you don't listen to a book called The Exorcist expecting puppies and rainbows.

Perfect!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I’ve always been a fan of the movie and this added so many more dimensions to what I understood of the story - great listening to it read by the author as well - giving it that personal connection.

Enthralling

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Really well written, but disturbing in many places, as the movie was. There are some elements that work better in book or audiobook form than they did in the movie, however, as well as subtle differences that I think are for the best in the book. I’ll leave that up you to agree or disagree with if you listen to this. Recommended

Better than the movie

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Spectacular story!!! This story had me at the edge of.my seat wanting more!! Any religious horror fans this is a definite must!

Gripping!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews