Wil Wheaton's Reviews > My Best Friend's Exorcism
My Best Friend's Exorcism
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It's very very very good, but falls just short of being great and I can't say exactly why.
I loved the characters and the metaphor of possession (which is not just a metaphor in this story). I loved the references to 1988, and how seamlessly they were dropped into the narrative.
It's a supernatural horror story, and the third act drives that home without mercy, but at its core, this is a story about friendship, and I'm glad I read it. I think it would make a great 6 episode series.
I loved the characters and the metaphor of possession (which is not just a metaphor in this story). I loved the references to 1988, and how seamlessly they were dropped into the narrative.
It's a supernatural horror story, and the third act drives that home without mercy, but at its core, this is a story about friendship, and I'm glad I read it. I think it would make a great 6 episode series.
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Reading Progress
April 23, 2018
–
Started Reading
April 23, 2018
– Shelved
April 23, 2018
–
21.39%
"It took all of three pages for this book to completely grab me and refuse to let go. I started it last night before bed, and an hour later, I forced myself to put it down, because I had to go to sleep."
page
71
April 27, 2018
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72.59%
"The only reason I haven't finished this yet is this annoying lack of hours in a day to just read."
page
241
April 27, 2018
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Finished Reading
April 28, 2018
– Shelved as:
horror
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Sarah
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 28, 2018 04:19PM
The friendship between the two girls is what made this book for me. It was beautiful! I had friends like this when I was young and it made me ache for them and the 80s.
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A cross between Beaches and the Exorcist...and set in 1988! I'm getting Buffy Vampire Slayer vibes. Instead of a 6 episode series, what about a musical?
I don't ordinarily take "celebrity" recomendations but this intrgued me so I read it. I'm so confused. Is it all supposed to be literal? Is it meant to be a YA book or for those who grew up in the 80s? Were there really no repurcussions? Was it really good or stupid? I THINK I liked . . .
I understand what you mean. Sometimes there seems like something is missing or lacking but you just cant quite place it.
Agreed. I thought it came together seamlessly. Loved the friendship and all the ‘80s references — including those I’ve long forgotten. By choice — but it was the ending that killed it for me. Overall, a very good story. I would have been happier leaving the “ever after” to my own imagination. Also kudos for making the song-title chapter names work.
I am always looking for books that take me back with nostalgia and have a great scary story. Adding this to my TBR pile/list
I so agree with you about the book being very very good but falling short of great. It’s missing something but I’m not sure what. Anyway, Great review. Also, this totally needs to be a Netflix series and also so does his other two books horrorstor and the one that just came out about the vampire.
This is exactly how I felt as well, there was just some missing piece I can’t place. Very good book though, really interesting and had so many important themes and ideas going on, and I’m glad I read it.
I totally agree with this review. I picked this up because I read the Southern Ladies' Guide to Slaying Vampires by the same author and LOVED it, so I tried this one too. I would also classify as good, but not quite great.
I totally agree with this review. I picked this up because I read the Southern Ladies' Guide to Slaying Vampires by the same author and LOVED it, so I tried this one too. I would also classify as good, but not quite great.
I was thinking the same thing about it making a great series as I was getting to the end of the story.
I read your review before jumping into this book and after finishing it, I agree with your first point. Something is missing but I can’t quite tell what, great book though!
My 2 cents on what it's missing is soul. The book is playing as Steve Vai dressed like Jimmy Page - it hits all the notes that an agent or publisher is looking for, but really doesn't stray from the sheet music. It takes no chances. It's a laundry list of everything from the Manuscript Wishlist pages bundled together to create a commercial book that will appeal to the largest possible audience. Bridges YA and adult Horror? Check. Character driven and quirky? Check. It's a little bit of Harry Potter, a little bit of Stranger Things, just enough cursies and gore to make a parent roll their eyes but not rip the book out of your hand, and just adult enough that you're not embarrassed to be reading it in public if you're 30+. This isn't saying it's bad, it's a good read, but that's because it was designed to be. You're not going to question life's bigger mysteries after reading this and you're not going reflect on your own character flaws either. It's 100% safe; the guitar solo that's note-for-note from the greatest hits album, and that's why Mr. Wheaton thinks it would make a good series - because there's no way for it to lose.
Totally agree -- there's just something missing and I think Mark nailed it on the head. The last chapter, as it talks about friendship how missing trivial moments relates to inches that turn to miles but during crisis the miles turn to inches was really moving. More of that was needed throughout the book.
Totally agree. It would have worked much better as a miniseries than as the movie that came out. It's so bad!
That’s exactly how I felt, I was feeling like I was going to give it five stars, but then when I finished it, there was just something a little bit lacking! I loved the book overall