It versus the Exorcist

**GNTLGNT** · November 1st, 2011

I like "Attack of the Algebraic 19's!" better...

**Schmidty** · November 1st, 2011

yeah but "7 8 9"

**Aericanwizard** · November 1st, 2011

How about Dividing by Zero?

As for the topic question, I always claimed It was the scariest SK novel I'd ever read; then I read Pet Sematary. Compared to The Exorcist, I would say that the novel of It is scarier, but the film version of The Exorcist is scarier (although Tim Curry's Pennywise has created any number of nightmares).

All I can say is read them both, and let us know what you think once you have.

Long days and pleasant nights.

**Robert Gray** · November 2nd, 2011

It really depends on your personal make up. There are many debates about which is "scarier" but the problem lies in the fact that different things scare different people. I found the The Exorcist neither scary nor interesting. I found Pet Sematary terrifying. While It remains my favorite book, I've never considered it a horror story. It is a book about childhood, growing up, and childhood revisited. The fact that there are monsters is besides the point. I see these books this way because of how I'm wired.

**evil ed** · January 25th, 2012

Everyone is different. See, hmm... I loved It, but It was not scary to me at all. There was never a time while reading when I broke out in goosebumps, or had that sudden chill of terror down my spine, had to pause and check my surroundings. To be quite honest, I've never had any of those feelings reading any of Stephen King's books. That's not intended to be a knock to Stephen, I love his writing, I become immersed in the plot and characters, but I never feel the fear that Stephen conveys. I do believe some people have the condition where they just can't feel fright from reading. I think it's called a lack of imagination, or comprehension, haha! I have experienced feelings of fear in other works of fiction so I know I'm not immune to being spooked by reading. I was actually chilled and goosebumped by Joe Hill's "Heart Shaped Box", especially in the beginning of the book when the ghost first arrives to Judas's house. I was also on the edge of my seat terrified when reading certain passages in Bret Easton Ellis's "Lunar Park", especially the halloween party portion of the book where Bret faces strange events in the upstairs of his house. Terrifying! I wish I felt the same while reading King's fiction, but sadly I have yet to experience any of these feelings.

**Schmidty** · January 26th, 2012

well i read par of It and never finished it because I was to busy

**blunthead** · January 26th, 2012

Originally Posted by GNTLGNT

I like "Attack of the Algebraic 19's!" better...

Yeah, but you like The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, too.

I haven't read The Exorcist, so I don't belong in this thread. I haven't even seen the movie. I was warned. As far as the book, I'll take GNT's word it is boring. I say what's boring is not literature nor any other art form. Life's too short.

**champ1966** · January 26th, 2012

When we got our first video player back when I was 13 I hired The Exorcist every weekend for about 6 weeks loved it.Went to the cinema to watch it when it got re-released about 10 years ago and it was ruined by kids laughing all the way through it.

IT is the only book I have read 3 times.love it,but neither the book or the film scare mee.I don't read SK books to be scared and his books don't come over good on film,not the horror aspect anyway

The Exorcist is definitely worth a read

**GirlfriendInAComa** · February 10th, 2012

I read It for the first time when I was 9. I got in so much trouble when my mom realized I had it...I think my dad was more impressed that I read that giant book. Anyhoo I have probably read it about 10 times since. I love it. The only thing I hate about it is that it ends. I always find IT scary and thrilling and it's absolutely a way to reconnect with my own inner child.
The Exorcist is terrifying to me in completely different ways but I consider it less about the frightening parts and more about the struggle between faith and doubt. I find myself crying my eyes out at the end every time I read it. For someone who wishes they could find their faith there is something profound in it. If you have read it you might find it amusing that when I have occaision to visit Washington DC I seek out those ominous steps and watch the sunset from there.