WASHINGTON — The nation’s capital is buzzing about Friday’s ceremony at the Exorcist Steps to commemorate the famous film locale in Georgetown. But the Oscar-winning “The Exorcist” (1973) isn’t the only D.C. tale of an exorcism.
Local authors Adriana & George Sifakis of Arlington, Virginia, have penned an exorcism-themed book, “S.W.A.K.: A Novel of Ultimate Betrayal,” revealing a dramatic scene near Georgetown at a Greek Orthodox Church.
“This is an exciting novel of love, betrayal, and self-discovery. It will help you reflect on the importance of family,” fellow author Walter Isaacson writes in his Amazon review. Isaacson is, of course, CEO of the Aspen Institute, former chairman of CNN, former managing editor of Time magazine, and bestselling author of “Steve Jobs” and “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life.”
“S.W.A.K.” opens post-exorcism, as protagonist Lauren uncovers startling facts about her past. Whether it’s mental illness or the devil himself, Lauren believes her mother was a woman possessed.
Here’s an excerpt from the book’s opening scenes:
“May the lord rebuke thee, Satan,” shudder, tremble, be afraid,” the Priest charged. “Depart, be utterly destroyed, be banished.” After months of worry, Lauren, the main character and her husband Michael set out to meet with the Priest to question, to unburden, to confess the bewildering, secret facts, to receive answers, but neither she nor her husband had expected the Priest’s response. “It is the devil’s work,” he said simply.” The Priest, in his professional opinion, prescribed prayers, as if he had been recommending a good dentist to pull out a painful, decaying tooth. They were prayers of exorcism.”
“When Lauren heard the word “exorcism” her fingers turned icy, her breath short and shallow as if the infected tooth, which she had endured and ignored, now festered into the ultimate consequence, an incurable terminal disease. Lauren imagined the Hollywood version – a spinning head, screams of unspeakable profanity, green bile spewing from her mouth. Would she shake? Convulse? Fall to the floor? And when the Cross passed over her head, would her tongue slap and flap, forcing out rancid and unintelligible debris to anyone who would dare to bear witness?”
WTOP recently spoke with director William Friedkin, who said that “The Exorcist” wasn’t intended to be a horror film, but rather was based on a real story and intended to explore the mystery of faith.
The “S.W.A.K.” authors feel the same way about their novel as they hope to adapt to a feature film.
“This is stuff that truly does happen in real life, horrific, yet we are all surrounded by evil, maybe some more than others,” the authors tell WTOP. “We wrote our book based on what happens in real life and whether that is considered frightening or not. It’s reality and it will certainly keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat.”
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