Does anyone remember (or know) the name of the book that contains the actual case that inspired the movie "The Exorcist?" I read it some years ago as part of a research project, and sort of need to find it again.

I remember that the events took place in Maryland and St. Louis in the late 1940's, and that it was a young boy.

If anyone remembers, great and thanks. If not, no biggie.

Same title: The Exorcist, by William Peter Blatty.

Yep, Rick is right. I actually read it when I was about 13 years old. This site (http://www.strangemag.com/exorcistpage1.html) seems to contain a good bit of information on it.

Yep, Rick is right. I actually read it when I was about 13 years old. This site (http://www.strangemag.com/exorcistpage1.html) seems to contain a good bit of information on it.

I read that one, too. Actually, still have it somewhere.

However, there was another book written about a case on which Blatty based his novel. I can finally use Google again (weird firewall problems at work), so I'm going to see what I can find now.

OK, I found it now. It's called "Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism," by Thomas Allen.

Much less "dynamic" than Blatty's work, with a lot more theory and theology in it. Reads more like a diary, and in fact, the priest's diary is in the appendix. Here's a link if anyone's interested.


Amazon.com: POSSESSED: The True Story of An Exorcism: Books: Thomas B. Allen (http://www.amazon.com/POSSESSED-Exorcism-Thomas-B-Allen/dp/038542034X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201885304&sr=1-1)

OK, I found it now. It's called "Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism," by Thomas Allen.

I was just about to guess if that was what you were looking for. Of course I can always say that after the fact ;)