MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM
I have not had the chance to watch any horror movies lately so this week I’m back with a book. I finished up My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix a few weeks ago. This is the author’s second novel and it was released in hardback on May 16, 2016.
This book tells the story of the friendship of two girls who met in grade school. As the title suggests, one of them becomes possessed by a demon. Although based on the title one would think that the possession and exorcism would be the focus but it is not. The focus is on the evolving friendship between the main characters Abby and Gretchen. Once Gretchen becomes possessed the focus is on Abby finding a way to save her best friend.
This possession is not of The Exorcist variety. This is much more subtle. Readers may even choose to view it as a metaphor for mental illness or substance abuse. I believe it’s made clear that it is a demon. There are definitely parts of this book that are pretty creepy and/or disturbing. These are the things along with the demon that admit it into the horror genre. Horror with a heart.
Ultimately, this is a story about friendship. It is about How we view those we love, to what lengths we will go to keep them in our lives , and how hard we will try to save them from themselves if we find they are drowning in life. I enjoyed this book a great deal and am quite impressed with the fact that a man wrote it. Grady Hendrix did an impeccable job of capturing the spirit of not just one but several teenage girls. The last time an author managed that in my opinion was with She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb.
Finally this book was set in the late 1980s which gave it a little extra fun something.There has been quite a bit of back to the 80s in entertainment lately, I have not found it in a book until now. I’m happy I did. I will also be purchasing to read Horrorstor the author’s first novel since I enjoyed this so much. I would recommend this to both young adults and adult women. I have run into a few men who have read and enjoyed this book as well. It does have a strong female vibe but without being too sappy.
LITTLE MISS HORROR NERD’S RATING: 5 out of 5
You can purchase this book for $11.99 on Amazon.
