REVIEW: A Head Full of Ghosts

A novel by Paul Tremblay

The Barretts are a family of four who live in suburban New England. When 14-year-old Marjorie begins to display signs of acute schizophrenia and resulting medical treatment is ineffective, the family turns to a local Catholic priest for help. Father Wanderly believes Marjorie is the victim of demonic possession as she continues to exhibit alarming behavior, and he suggests an exorcism. Marjorie’s little sister, Merry, is scared by her sister’s behavior but skeptical about whether she is truly possessed.

When Father Wanderly puts the family in touch with a production company that wants to document the exorcism, the Barretts reluctantly find themselves starring in a reality TV show called The Possession.

Shocking incidents documented in The Possession become urban legend, and 15 years later, a bestselling writer interviews Merry about her memories of the events. Fans of psychological suspense and supernatural horror will enjoy reading A Head Full of Ghosts. Tremblay’s work has been likened to Stephen King’s The Shining, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, and William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist.

Disclaimer: I had to read this book during the daytime, and I still get goosebumps when I think of the plot.

— Reviewed by Maggie Mohr, Main Library, Charleston, S.C.

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