Dimiter by William Peter Blatty

[ChipOfftheBloch]

Hi all!

Anyone read William Peter Blatty's new book "Dimiter" ... it's actually quite lovely. I really dug his other books and this one works almost like a jigsaw puzzle in reverse, theological thriller/comedy, with a dash of "The Ninth Configuration" and some fairly grizzly (though poetic) scenes too.

All in all, a recommendation. It has the same themes as his other works, but just don't expect any twirling heads like in The Exorcist.

Also, any final word on the matter: King's thoughts on Blatty? Anybody know. They have been so conflicted over the years.

[PatInTheHat]

Hi all!

Anyone read William Peter Blatty's new book "Dimiter" ... it's actually quite lovely. I really dug his other books and this one works almost like a jigsaw puzzle in reverse, theological thriller/comedy, with a dash of "The Ninth Configuration" and some fairly grizzly (though poetic) scenes too.

All in all, a recommendation. It has the same themes as his other works, but just don't expect any twirling heads like in The Exorcist.

Also, any final word on the matter: King's thoughts on Blatty? Anybody know. They have been so conflicted over the years.

Just finished it and could not have described it better.
And thank you for the Ninth Configuration reference, that was perfect!
As I was reading it, it kept creeping creepy cobwebs into my head, but I couldn't quite put a handle on it...9 C, I say I say 9 C..BINGO!

Ya know, after a ferocious start, for a bit it seemed like this was becoming something like a Michelin tour guide of Jerusalem circa early 70's, but Blatty pulled it off very nicely with a kickin' finish, and as always his dialogue has a quick dry wit you can't help but appreciate...well, unless of course your wit is all wet and perhaps a tad sluggish.

(oh now, don't anybody go off all embarrassed, it happens to all of us sooner or later so stop that worryin', it isn't considered a permanent condition with proper treatment)

[47jacdlt57]

I'll have to check out Dimiter. When I read The Exorcist as a teen it scared the Bejayus out of me... but when I re-read it just a few years ago it didn't seem like the greatest writing in the world. I know King didn't think so; he dismissed it in Danse Macabre. However, it still isn't clear to me what King really thinks of Blatty and his writing. Would like to know... curious minds and all...

[47jacdlt57]

I'm going to give Dimiter a try. Has anyone read Elsewhere?

When I first read The Exorcist as a teen it scared me to death. I slept with the lights on for many nights. The movie scared me even more!

I re-read it last year, and felt it hadn't survived the test of time, and wasn't even that well-written.

I also curious to find out King's final take on Blatty, as there does seem to be contradicting information out there. Here's what I've found in my searches:

Stephen King said in Danse Macabre (1981): "... two novels of the Humorless, Thudding Tract School of horror writing are Damon, by C. Terry Cline, and The Exorcist, by William Peter Blatty – Cline has since improved as a writer, and Blatty has fallen silent... forever, if we are lucky."

However, S.T. Joshi stated in his "The Modern Weird Tale : A Critique of Horror Fiction" that Stephen King went up to Blatty and said: "You know, in a way, you're my father."