Driving Out the Devil in the 21st Century
December 11, 2006
Anyone who has seen the movie The
\t\t Exorcist will never forget the transformation of lead actress Linda
\t\t Blair from an innocent young girl into a demonically possessed, vomit-spewing
\t\t monster. According to Wilkinson's account, some contemporary Catholic
\t\t priest-exorcists have seen even more horrifying metamorphoses. If the priests
\t\t interviewed in this informative book are to be believed, there is an increasing
\t\t demand for their services. Underlying the attraction to exorcisms, Wilkinson
\t\t speculates, is a desire for simple explanations for complex problems. "In a
\t\t world awash in catastrophe and unspeakable suffering, many people feel
\t\t increasingly compelled to see evil in concrete and personified—not to mention
\t\t simplified—forms, and to find a way to banish the bad." Wilkinson adroitly
\t\t places those who recommend exorcisms in tension with those who do not see value
\t\t in the practice. The questions the skeptics raise are obvious but important:
\t\t are people who desire an exorcism really possessed by Satan, or are they
\t\t mentally ill? How does one distinguish a "legitimate" possession from other
\t\t pathologies? This book is certainly not an apologia for exorcisms, but it will
\t\t appeal to those looking for a fascinating history and some thoughtful
\t\t commentary from proponents and skeptics alike.
June 15, 2007
Contrary to the popular view, exorcism is not a dramatic one-time shot of casting out a demon from a possessed individual. Instead, it tends to be a long-term process that involves many visits with a diocesan-designated priest who repeats a standard prayer asking God to evict the devil from a person (usually a woman). Wilkinson, a bureau chief with the "Los Angeles Times" in Rome, gives a relatively balanced view of the ritual as practiced today. Though the official Vatican position recognizes the existence of pure evil, incidents of actual demonic possession are rare. More often, the unfortunate individuals who exhibit signs of possession are determined to be suffering from any number of mental illnesses. Only after a psychiatrist has evaluated the client and can determine no medical or psychological reason for the bizarre behavior is an exorcism performed. One quibble with the author's work is the comparison of the number of exorcists in Italy in 1986 (20) to the number of exorcists in 2006 (350). That such an increase has occurred is not alarming given the 1999 release of the revised exorcism rites that require the bishop from each diocese to appoint one of his diocesan priests to the role of exorcist. Except for the almost funny interpretation of an early scene with the "possessed" Caterina, Shelly Frasier's capable reading is easy on the ears. Recommended for general public library listeners, though those looking for sensationalism will be disappointed.Deb West, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA
Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 28, 2007
Opening with her firsthand account of an exorcism, Wilkinson delves into the spiritual world of good versus evil in an earthly sense. Through interviews with church-appointed exorcists, past and presently possessed people and a slew of others (from psychologists to Satan worshipers), she looks at the contemporary world of demonic possession. At a time when genetics is providing ample explanations about “human nature,” Wilkinson wonders why the number of exorcists has drastically increased over the past 15 years. She also explores the church’s ambivalence about exorcism and the balancing acts exorcists walk. Frasier proves a compelling narrator: her soft, smooth voice reveals compassion and curiosity as the mysteries of the book are revealed. Particularly during the exorcisms, Frasier provides distinct voices and personalities to delineate the exorcist and the possessed person, paying particular attention to the demonic voices and the actual voice of the possessed. Her other impressive feat is her masculine voice that differs significantly from her narrative voice. With all of the people quoted within the book, this distinction helps listeners follow the text better. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 11).