187 books
—
18 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “My Best Friend's Exorcism” as Want to Read:
My Best Friend's Exorcism
by
From the New York Times best-selling author of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires comes an unholy hybrid of Beaches and The Exorcist that blends teen angst, adolescent drama, unspeakable horrors, and a mix of '80s pop songs into a pulse-pounding supernatural thriller.
The year is 1988. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fou ...more
The year is 1988. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fou ...more
Get A Copy
Paperback, 332 pages
Published
July 11th 2017
by Quirk Books
(first published May 17th 2016)
Featured Notes & Highlights
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
My Best Friend's Exorcism,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Trine
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of My Best Friend's Exorcism
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. ...more
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. ...more
Aug 12, 2017
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horror-gothic-etc,
own
Well hell, the end of this book made me cry a little bit! I didn't see that coming!
I loved the front and back pages of this book. I took a couple of pictures so you guys could see. It's awesome, like a yearbook =)
I loved Abby and Gretchen's friendship. It lasted the test of time.
I think something in the book might have went over my head but I'm just going to pretend it didn't.
I loved, loved, loved the 80's music references and other stuff. It makes me think of the good ole days. Well, mostly ...more
I loved the front and back pages of this book. I took a couple of pictures so you guys could see. It's awesome, like a yearbook =)
I loved Abby and Gretchen's friendship. It lasted the test of time.
I think something in the book might have went over my head but I'm just going to pretend it didn't.
I loved, loved, loved the 80's music references and other stuff. It makes me think of the good ole days. Well, mostly ...more
a reverse-mullet review: GIF-party in the front, long tendrils of ruminating “business” in the back.
in short, this book is
and
"DBNQ," and largely because “we got the beat” is used as a plot point in this book and “heaven is a place on earth” is used in that episode,
so it's six degrees of belinda carlisle
and then you throw in some
and
and
i need to use the rest of this space to untangle some thoughts and reactions i have about this book. you can come with me or you can go on your merry way to read ...more
Updating review on 9/20/19
I read a one-star review basically calling the author out for "queerbaiting" in this book by using the phrase "Love ya dearly but not queerly." I have to say that the 1980s were so homophobic and ignorant. Especially with language and phrases. It has taken a long time for me to stop saying, "That's gay" for something I think is lame and it doesn't have anything to do with me being homophobic and everything to do with the culture I grew up in. We also said "retarded" syn ...more
I read a one-star review basically calling the author out for "queerbaiting" in this book by using the phrase "Love ya dearly but not queerly." I have to say that the 1980s were so homophobic and ignorant. Especially with language and phrases. It has taken a long time for me to stop saying, "That's gay" for something I think is lame and it doesn't have anything to do with me being homophobic and everything to do with the culture I grew up in. We also said "retarded" syn ...more
Part 80s nostalgia
Part tongue-in-cheek comedy
Part gory demonic horror story
Are you a fan of the darker 80s comedy movies? (i.e. Heathers) Is one of your favorite parts of Stranger Things the 80s references? Do you enjoy that part in The Exorcist when her head spins around and she spits pea soup? Well, then look no further - your next read is here!
I enjoyed this one a lot for the bit of escapism it gave me. I didn't find it laugh out loud funny or skin crawling-ly scary. But, there were enough ch ...more
Part tongue-in-cheek comedy
Part gory demonic horror story
Are you a fan of the darker 80s comedy movies? (i.e. Heathers) Is one of your favorite parts of Stranger Things the 80s references? Do you enjoy that part in The Exorcist when her head spins around and she spits pea soup? Well, then look no further - your next read is here!
I enjoyed this one a lot for the bit of escapism it gave me. I didn't find it laugh out loud funny or skin crawling-ly scary. But, there were enough ch ...more
Aug 27, 2020
Gabby
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
read-in-one-day,
own,
4-star-books,
horror,
read-in-2020,
reviewed,
liked-it,
young-adult
This book was so much fun. This is my second book from Grady Hendrix and I just love his writing so much. This book screams 80's horror movie vibes and I love that about it. We follow this young teenage girl and her best friend begins acting super strange, and then we find out her best friend is possessed. This book is strange and gory and it has one of the most disturbing scenes I've read in a book since The Troop which is pretty surprising and hardcore for a YA book. There's also a Spotify pla
...more
Mar 26, 2018
Dan Schwent
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2018-books,
2018
Abby and Gretchen were best friends until they dropped acid at a party. Now, Gretchen's been acting strangely, letting her appearance going to shit, and Abby's worried. But Gretchen will soon give her something to really worry about...
After the nirvana that was Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction, I had to give Grady Hendrix's fiction a shot.
Set during the satanic panic of the 1980s, My Best Friend's Exorcism is the story of the friendship between two girls ...more
After the nirvana that was Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction, I had to give Grady Hendrix's fiction a shot.
Set during the satanic panic of the 1980s, My Best Friend's Exorcism is the story of the friendship between two girls ...more
I’ll admit that I first picked up Grady Hendrix’ 2016 novel My Best Friend’s Exorcism because of the title and the cover art, but his personable writing and fresh ideas kept me reading until the end.
This is about what you would think: a snarky and fun pseudo spoof of an exorcist themed horror / black comedy. BUT – author Hendrix makes this work because he tells the story with personality and better than average characterization and dialogue. The reader gets to know characters like Abby and Gretc ...more
This is about what you would think: a snarky and fun pseudo spoof of an exorcist themed horror / black comedy. BUT – author Hendrix makes this work because he tells the story with personality and better than average characterization and dialogue. The reader gets to know characters like Abby and Gretc ...more
Steeped in 80's nostalgia, I thought this book was a blast!
It was never really scary, and I'm not sure that it was meant to be. My instincts tell me this book was written as an homage to the 80's and the silly fun that the horror genre provided at that time. Sure, there were crazy Satanism scares, Geraldo and diet fads but there were also great music videos, Blockbuster stores and a horror book boom to beat all booms. A lot of them were just like this...about young people, influenced by culture ...more
It was never really scary, and I'm not sure that it was meant to be. My instincts tell me this book was written as an homage to the 80's and the silly fun that the horror genre provided at that time. Sure, there were crazy Satanism scares, Geraldo and diet fads but there were also great music videos, Blockbuster stores and a horror book boom to beat all booms. A lot of them were just like this...about young people, influenced by culture ...more
4.5 STARS!!
My Best Friend’s Exorcism was great! This was a wonderful tale about friendship and staying connected through it all, even involving demon possession.
Does it seem like a hokey idea, maybe? But it wasn't because it's written so well by Grady Hendrix that it just works. The creepy moments with the demon were well done. The book had moments of grossness that was fantastic. I was never terrified while reading this but I was definitely entertained!
The transformation of Gretchen made me fee ...more
My Best Friend’s Exorcism was great! This was a wonderful tale about friendship and staying connected through it all, even involving demon possession.
Does it seem like a hokey idea, maybe? But it wasn't because it's written so well by Grady Hendrix that it just works. The creepy moments with the demon were well done. The book had moments of grossness that was fantastic. I was never terrified while reading this but I was definitely entertained!
The transformation of Gretchen made me fee ...more
Solid story, a quick read - didn’t care for the exorcism portion of the story, but that was really my only quarrel with the book. Knew all of the cultural references, brought back some memories. Overall, enjoyed it.
"She and Gretchen spent hours ranking their friendships, trying to determine who was a best friend and who was an everyday friend, debating whether anyone could have two best friends at the same time."
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fifth grade, but things change when they start high school. After getting lost and spending a night in the woods, Gretchen becomes slightly... different. Abby knows that something is wrong, coming to the conclusion that her best friend must be possesse ...more
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fifth grade, but things change when they start high school. After getting lost and spending a night in the woods, Gretchen becomes slightly... different. Abby knows that something is wrong, coming to the conclusion that her best friend must be possesse ...more
Oct 30, 2017
Cece (ProblemsOfaBookNerd)
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2017
This was... not good.
Grady Hendrix's
My Best Friend's Exorcism
might just be what you expect looking at the book: it's campy, crazy, and chock full of 80s references!
Can a friendship be powerful enough to beat the devil?
Abby and Gretchen have been inseparable best friends since 4th grade. They have private jokes and countless memories together, and they’ve remained close through high school.
But one boring night, after some warm beer and some drugs, the girls and their friends decide to go skinny-dipping. Somethi ...more
Can a friendship be powerful enough to beat the devil?
Abby and Gretchen have been inseparable best friends since 4th grade. They have private jokes and countless memories together, and they’ve remained close through high school.
But one boring night, after some warm beer and some drugs, the girls and their friends decide to go skinny-dipping. Somethi ...more
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Abby and Gretchen have been friends ever since Abby’s 10th birthday party. Let’s just talk about that party for a minute. Who in their right mind would (1) plan their party after someone has already sent out invitations for another party? Margaret, that’s who . . . .
And (2) who would attend some lame ass horse party when they could do this instead . . . .
Apparently everyone #sadface. But seriously, what was with the stereotyp ...more
Abby and Gretchen have been friends ever since Abby’s 10th birthday party. Let’s just talk about that party for a minute. Who in their right mind would (1) plan their party after someone has already sent out invitations for another party? Margaret, that’s who . . . .
And (2) who would attend some lame ass horse party when they could do this instead . . . .
Apparently everyone #sadface. But seriously, what was with the stereotyp ...more
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life
I had really high hopes for this book. Like really high. I was a bit disappointed in the end. I wasn't a bad story but it didn't even come close to living up to my expectations. When I first saw this book, I knew that I would have to read it. Demonic possession with heavy dose of 80's references were enough to really grab the attention of this old lady. Unfortunately, despite the wonderful premise I found the book rather underwhelming.
Abby and ...more
I had really high hopes for this book. Like really high. I was a bit disappointed in the end. I wasn't a bad story but it didn't even come close to living up to my expectations. When I first saw this book, I knew that I would have to read it. Demonic possession with heavy dose of 80's references were enough to really grab the attention of this old lady. Unfortunately, despite the wonderful premise I found the book rather underwhelming.
Abby and ...more
"Stop!" Gretchen cried over the wind. "Abby, he won't stop until you stop. Please!"
"The power of Christ compels you, Andras!" Abby shouted. "Leave this girl alone!"
-- on page 305
Excuse me - what the hell did I just read? I suppose ask that aloud for an easy (or is it just groan-worthy?) laugh, but part of the success of Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism is that it stubbornly refuses to lock itself into one distinct genre or idea. Ostensibly a horror novel - which I like read as the Halloween s ...more
"The power of Christ compels you, Andras!" Abby shouted. "Leave this girl alone!"
-- on page 305
Excuse me - what the hell did I just read? I suppose ask that aloud for an easy (or is it just groan-worthy?) laugh, but part of the success of Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism is that it stubbornly refuses to lock itself into one distinct genre or idea. Ostensibly a horror novel - which I like read as the Halloween s ...more
"What an excellent day for an exorcism."This is an okay book. Fair. Acceptable. But it takes too long to really get humming (I'm all in for foreplay, but Hendrix really pushes the limits to impatience here). More than three-quarters of the novel is essentially an angsty teen, coming-of-age high school drama about a group of girls and their growing pains with each other and with the world around them. It could very well be Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill -- except that one ...more
~The Exorcist (1973)
I saw this book on the list by Goodreads for new authors. I thought "Why not?" I was at a point in my reading career where I was choosing authors that were familiar for lack of willingness to take a risk with my time, and I hadn't had the best of luck getting outside the box. I'm glad I picked this up.
The beginning of the book was a long introduction to the characters, and if not for the author's wit, it would've made me sleepy. It did give me a clear picture of the characters, rounding them nic ...more
The beginning of the book was a long introduction to the characters, and if not for the author's wit, it would've made me sleepy. It did give me a clear picture of the characters, rounding them nic ...more
While I enjoyed the way this story pulled me in for a good portion of the book, I was disappointed by the lack of clarity in the parts that involved the supernatural. The majority of the narrative was about the strength of a friendship, though it was a one-sided relationship for a painful amount of the time. Youthful naivety, social status and hurtful betrayals kept the story flowing. When the horror elements first appeared, they were enticing and creepy. However, by the end, I was disappointed
...more
Packed to the brim with ‘80s nostalgia, each chapter is even titled as a different song from that era, I can only describe this as ”666teen Candles”.
”My Best Friend’s Exorcism” is very reminiscent of those ‘80s chick-flicks, but with a dose of possession and creepiness thrown in. It also highlights how that time was a lot less PC with language and phrases used, and how they are really not okay to use today, but it was a reflection of the time.
It’s quoted as being like “if Tina Fey had written T ...more
”My Best Friend’s Exorcism” is very reminiscent of those ‘80s chick-flicks, but with a dose of possession and creepiness thrown in. It also highlights how that time was a lot less PC with language and phrases used, and how they are really not okay to use today, but it was a reflection of the time.
It’s quoted as being like “if Tina Fey had written T ...more
3.5***
This was campy and 80’s and fun. This also had a great exploration of going to the ends of the earth for female friendship and the importance/value of it.
This definitely read like an 80’s cheesy horror movie which was great! I am however, usually put off books with a high school setting (which this had) and I do prefer my horror reads to be chilling, disturbing and unnerving- which this wasn’t (and doesn’t aim to be).
This was campy and 80’s and fun. This also had a great exploration of going to the ends of the earth for female friendship and the importance/value of it.
This definitely read like an 80’s cheesy horror movie which was great! I am however, usually put off books with a high school setting (which this had) and I do prefer my horror reads to be chilling, disturbing and unnerving- which this wasn’t (and doesn’t aim to be).
I really liked this story. It was a bit slow but it was atmospheric. It’s about 2 best friends Abby and Gretchen who live In Charleston who at a friends house on Labor Day after being on the creek all day in a boat decide to take acid and Gretchen goes missing that night only to be found naked the next morning and drastically changed . You can guess what happens hence the title . It was a fun throwback in 80s style horror flicks.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this book, I bought it purely because the title really caught my attention. And I'm so glad it did because I think this may be one of my favourite reads this year! I just loved everything about it, it had me completely sucked in from start to finish!
Some parts were quite funny and actually had me chuckling out loud, something that I definitely wasn't expecting from this book! And then on the other hand, some parts where thoroughly disturbing and raised th ...more
Some parts were quite funny and actually had me chuckling out loud, something that I definitely wasn't expecting from this book! And then on the other hand, some parts where thoroughly disturbing and raised th ...more
“I love you, Gretchen Lang. You are my reflection and my shadow and I will not let you go. We are bound together forever and ever! Until Halley’s Comet comes around again. I love you dearly and I love you queerly and no demon is bigger than this!”
—
The moment I saw My Best Friend’s Exorcism in the flesh, I knew I wanted it. It’s formatted to look like a high school yearbook, which is honestly such a cool concept. The bright colours on top of the 80s feel of the photographs really sets the tone fo ...more
See this review and more like it on www.bookbastion.net!
_______
This was such a unique blend of 80s movie nostalgia, comedy and horror movie tropes. Grady Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism is nothing if not a wonderful ode to all that made horror of the late 80s and early 90s so great.
From the chapter titles that are all 80s song titles, to the pages rife with pop culture references from the 1980s, this book is a wonderful tribute to all that made that era so memorable. I was unfortunately bor ...more
_______
This was such a unique blend of 80s movie nostalgia, comedy and horror movie tropes. Grady Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism is nothing if not a wonderful ode to all that made horror of the late 80s and early 90s so great.
From the chapter titles that are all 80s song titles, to the pages rife with pop culture references from the 1980s, this book is a wonderful tribute to all that made that era so memorable. I was unfortunately bor ...more
image taken from my instagram @bookbastion - follow me for more!
BEST READS OF 2018 AWARD!!
OMG I LOVED this book! The narrator, Emily Woo Zeller, was so awesome! She nailed it a billion times. The story is great and never dull. The characters and their relationships are realistic and believable. The horror in this book is so much more than a possession. (view spoiler) ...more
OMG I LOVED this book! The narrator, Emily Woo Zeller, was so awesome! She nailed it a billion times. The story is great and never dull. The characters and their relationships are realistic and believable. The horror in this book is so much more than a possession. (view spoiler) ...more
Book Blog | Bookstagram
Opening Hook: Don’t take acid in the woods.
Main Character: The power of Christ compels her.
Plot Twisty-ness: E.T. attending an exorcism.
I 👏 FUCKING 👏 LOVED 👏 THIS.
I own Horrorstör by this author, but I haven’t read it yet. I only bought it for the cover, and format, without any idea of what the book was about or if I liked the author. And honestly, I wanted to read My Best Friend’s Exorcism for the same reason. This is 100% a “#bookstagram made me do it” read. The alternat ...more
Opening Hook: Don’t take acid in the woods.
Main Character: The power of Christ compels her.
Plot Twisty-ness: E.T. attending an exorcism.
I 👏 FUCKING 👏 LOVED 👏 THIS.
I own Horrorstör by this author, but I haven’t read it yet. I only bought it for the cover, and format, without any idea of what the book was about or if I liked the author. And honestly, I wanted to read My Best Friend’s Exorcism for the same reason. This is 100% a “#bookstagram made me do it” read. The alternat ...more
3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/06/18/...
Grady Hendrix is an author who first came to my attention a couple years ago when I picked up his book Horrorstör, a fun and creepy and slightly eccentric horror novel about a haunting at a big box furniture store. The book really stuck in my mind, so my interest was immediately piqued when I found out about the humorously titled My Best Friend’s Exorcism. Knowing more now than I did before about Hendrix’s style though, I ...more
Grady Hendrix is an author who first came to my attention a couple years ago when I picked up his book Horrorstör, a fun and creepy and slightly eccentric horror novel about a haunting at a big box furniture store. The book really stuck in my mind, so my interest was immediately piqued when I found out about the humorously titled My Best Friend’s Exorcism. Knowing more now than I did before about Hendrix’s style though, I ...more
Its spooky season...and my friend Tani is in DESPERATE need for an exorcism!!
Apparently, she thinks it's FUNNY to scare me with creepy gifs!!!
I swear she is possessed !!! And now she wants to feast on my soul!!
Basically, when I see there's a message/comment from Tani
Mrin:
I am gonna perform an exorcism on her the only way I know aka by making memes on her
I hope the ghost gets irritated by my memes & leaves her body xD
Tani will be the scared boy and the boy in a red shirt will be me
I swear to GOD. ...more
Apparently, she thinks it's FUNNY to scare me with creepy gifs!!!
I swear she is possessed !!! And now she wants to feast on my soul!!
Basically, when I see there's a message/comment from Tani
Mrin:
I am gonna perform an exorcism on her the only way I know aka by making memes on her
I hope the ghost gets irritated by my memes & leaves her body xD
Tani will be the scared boy and the boy in a red shirt will be me
I swear to GOD. ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen King Fans: My Best Friend's Exorcism | 11 | 58 | Dec 15, 2020 07:58AM | |
| 잇플릭스【 it-flix com 】¶우리카지노¶샌즈카지노¶오피가이드¶오피스타¶늑대닷컴¶밤토끼¶툰코¶AV쏘걸¶강남야동¶한국야동¶풀싸롱 | 1 | 1 | Nov 06, 2020 10:57PM | |
| Horror Aficionados : My Best Friend's Exorcism 10/5/20 | 42 | 175 | Oct 11, 2020 10:29PM | |
| The Open Book: My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix | 6 | 12 | Jul 09, 2020 06:50PM | |
| Madison County NC...: My Best Friend's Exorcism | 1 | 2 | Jul 09, 2020 09:33AM | |
| My Best Friend's Exorcism (Audiobook Narrator Complaint) | 1 | 14 | Jun 10, 2020 04:59PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Grady Hendrix is the author of the novels Horrorstör, about a haunted IKEA, and My Best Friend's Exorcism, which is like Beaches meets The Exorcist, only it's set in the Eighties. He's also the author of We Sold Our Souls, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, and the upcoming (July 13!) Final Girl Support Group!
He's also the jerk behind the Stoker award-winning Paperbacks from Hell, ...more
He's also the jerk behind the Stoker award-winning Paperbacks from Hell, ...more
Articles featuring this book
April is the most hopeful of months, promising warm days and sunshine just around the corner. The weather is a little unpredictable, sure, but...
94 likes · 35 comments
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“I love you, Gretchen Lang. You are my reflection and my shadow and I will not let you go. We are bound together forever and ever! Until Halley’s Comet comes around again. I love you dearly and I love you queerly and no demon is bigger than this!”
—
33 likes
“By the power of Phil Collins, I rebuke you!” she said. “By the power of Phil Collins, who knows that you coming back to me is against all odds, in his name I command you to leave this servant of Genesis alone.”
—
20 likes
More quotes…
