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The Penguin Book of Exorcisms — Spiritualism

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The Penguin Book of Exorcisms

Name: The Penguin Book of Exorcisms
Price: 15.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Laycock, Joseph P
ISBN: 9780143135470

✍️ Laycock, Joseph P

Reader Score

4.5

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This compelling anthology meticulously documents real-world encounters with spiritual possession and the rites of exorcism across vast stretches of time and geography. From the ancient Middle East to colonial America and modern South Africa, it gathers astonishing narratives that highlight humanity's enduring struggle with unseen forces. Delve into historical reports of levitation, superhuman strength, and speaking in tongues, demonstrating the universal and persistent nature of these phenomena. Joseph Laycock presents a scholarly yet accessible compilation, offering a panoramic view of one of humanity's most profound and terrifying mysteries, as documented through the ages.

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Spiritualism

🏛 Penguin Classics 📅 2020 📖 336 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9780143135470

Fun Fact

Laycock's collection is a meticulously curated journey through humanity's enduring fascination with possession, offering a broad, academic lens without shying away from the visceral. While it won't instruct you on banishing demons, it masterfully documents the phenomenon across time and cultures, making it an indispensable resource for folklorists, religious scholars, and anyone captivated by the supernatural's historical footprint. Those seeking a sensationalist or purely theological perspective might be disappointed, but as a comprehensive historical anthology, it's a true classic in its field.

📝 Description: The Penguin Book of Exorcisms

Haunting accounts of real-life exorcisms through the centuries and around the world, from ancient Egypt and the biblical Middle East to colonial America and twentieth-century South Africa A Penguin Classic Levitation. Feats of superhuman strength. Speaking in tongues. A hateful, glowing stare. The signs of spirit possession have been documented for thousands of years and across religions and cultures, even into our time: In 2019 the Vatican convened 250 priests from 50 countries for a weeklong seminar on exorcism. The Penguin Book of Exorcisms brings together the most astonishing accounts: Saint Anthony set upon by demons in the form of a lion, a bull, and a panther, who are no match for his devotion and prayer; the Prophet Muhammad casting an enemy of God out of a young boy; fox spirits in medieval China and Japan; a headless bear assaulting a woman in sixteenth-century England; the possession in the French town of Loudun of an entire convent of Ursuline nuns; a Zulu woman who floated to a height of five feet almost daily; a previously unpublished account of an exorcism in Earling, Iowa, in 1928--an important inspiration for the movie The Exorcist; poltergeist activity at a home in Maryland in 1949--the basis for William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist; a Filipina girl "bitten by devils"; and a rare example of a priest's letter requesting permission of a bishop to perform an exorcism--after witnessing a boy walk backward up a wall. Fifty-seven percent of Americans profess to believe in demonic possession; after reading this book, you may too. For more than seventy-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 2,000 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

💎 Expert review

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Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

This compilation provides a fascinating, albeit unsettling, survey of exorcism rites across millennia. Laycock successfully gathers astonishing narratives that highlight the persistent human fear of spiritual possession. However, readers seeking visceral horror or supernatural fiction will be disappointed; this is a scholarly anthology, not entertainment. Those expecting definitive theological answers regarding the existence of demons may also find it lacking, as it focuses on historical documentation rather than apologetics. It is best suited for academic minds and cultural analysts who appreciate objective reporting on chilling accounts. The tone remains detached, which might feel cold to readers looking for spiritual guidance or dramatic storytelling.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of history, religion, and the supernatural will find this anthology indispensable. It offers a panoramic view of humanity's enduring struggle with unseen forces, documenting real-world encounters from ancient Mesopotamia to modern South Africa. The book is perfect for those seeking to understand the universal nature of possession narratives without getting bogged down in dense theological jargon. Laycock’s accessible style makes complex historical reports on levitation and speaking in tongues approachable. It appeals to anyone curious about how different societies have interpreted and combated spiritual threats throughout the ages, providing a chilling yet scholarly perspective on one of humanity's most profound mysteries.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're captivated by the intersection of religion, folklore, and the supernatural, this collection is for you. Dive into humanity's historical grappling with unexplained phenomena, whether you're a scholar, a curious reader, or simply fascinated by the enduring mystery of possession.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

This compilation provides a fascinating, albeit unsettling, survey of exorcism rites across millennia. Laycock successfully gathers astonishing narratives that highlight the persistent human fear of spiritual possession. However, readers seeking visceral horror or supernatural fiction will be disappointed; this is a scholarly anthology, not entertainment. Those expecting definitive theological answers regarding the existence of demons may also find it lacking, as it focuses on historical documentation rather than apologetics. It is best suited for academic minds and cultural analysts who appreciate objective reporting on chilling accounts. The tone remains detached, which might feel cold to readers looking for spiritual guidance or dramatic storytelling.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this book is an academic and historical anthology. It collects documented accounts of exorcisms and possessions from various cultures and eras, rather than serving as an instructional manual for performing such rites.

Absolutely not. While Christian accounts are included, the collection spans a remarkable breadth, featuring narratives from ancient Egypt, Islamic traditions, East Asian folklore with fox spirits, and indigenous African spiritual practices, offering a truly global perspective.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Global Spirit Encounters

The book vividly illustrates how beliefs in spirit possession are not confined to a single culture or religion. It traverses continents and epochs, from ancient Egyptian rites to medieval European convents and African spiritual traditions, revealing the diverse interpretations and universal human response to perceived demonic or spiritual influence across the globe.

The Evolution of Exorcism

Explore how the practices and understandings of exorcism have transformed throughout history. This collection traces the evolution from early biblical accounts and the Prophet Muhammad's interventions to the formalized rituals of the Catholic Church and other religious traditions, offering insights into changing theological and societal perspectives on spiritual liberation.

Manifestations of Possession

Discover the recurring and often terrifying signs attributed to possession, documented through centuries. The book compiles eyewitness accounts of phenomena like unnatural physical strength, glossolalia (speaking in unknown tongues), levitation, and malevolent gazes, providing a fascinating historical record of these extraordinary and unsettling occurrences.

📜 Historical context

This Penguin Classic situates itself within a long tradition of documenting the extraordinary and the sacred. By compiling accounts from diverse historical and cultural contexts, it offers a crucial resource for understanding the social, religious, and psychological underpinnings of belief in possession and exorcism, from ancient times to modern interpretations, including its influence on popular culture.

📚 Glossary

Levitation
Speaking in Tongues
Poltergeist

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on how cultural beliefs and historical contexts might shape the perception and documentation of spiritual possession. What does this book reveal about human interpretation of the unknown?
Considering the diverse accounts of signs and manifestations of possession, which particular phenomena do you find most compelling or unsettling, and why?
How do the accounts in this collection challenge or reinforce your own understanding of spirituality, the supernatural, and the boundaries of human experience?