So surprisingly well written, SO descriptive [esp the part about masturbating with the cross.] Funny, though, for as good as this book was, I think the movie was even better. I saw it for the first time after I finished the book and I thought it fixed a lot of the tiny issues I had with the book. [Like... that detective was always around. Why? Go away! Make yourself useful!] And the mother was much more believable in the movie. 
 My mom let me see anything when I was little. I saw The Shining when I was 9. But she would never let me see this movie because to her, a Catholic who believes, this shit is way too scary. So my whole life I've kind of felt like I wasn't supposed to watch it. It was so liberating to say: I am a grown ass woman! And I'm going to read THE EXORCIST and then I'm going to see the movie! And nobody can stop me!