The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren
Author: Gerald Brittle
Genre: Biography
Review: I don't usually read biographies. When I do it is on people, I find interesting. Ed and Lorraine Warren are one of the most interesting couples. Back in the 1940s, they started ghost hunting. Going to houses helping families with hauntings. Mostly staying in the background with their work. It was not until the 1970s the Amityville Horror that Ed and Lorraine gain mainstream attention.
The Warren document all their cases with, photographs, video, and voice recording. They will also travel around the US giving lectures at colleges. The book draws from these interviews, lectures, and recordings. There will be some narration and then a block of dialogue from some interviews. At first, this was off-putting. Once I got used to the writing it did have a nice flow.
The Warren gives an in depth definition of what ghost are, instead of saying ghost are dead people that have unfinished business on Earth. To paraphrase it will go something like this: a ghost is unable to pass over due to a tragic event. They are offended confuse and want to seek attention. Going on to explain that there a clear line between what a ghost and a spirit is. A spirit is a demonic entity that may do the things a ghost will do at first like move small objects or make noises. The goal of the demonic is to break down the human mind and eventually possession.
The guy that is interviewing the Warrens is their son in law and close friend, Tony. He now runs the Warren's museum up in Connecticut.
I read The Demonologist for the different cases that the Warren did. All the case that are described in the book are seen to come from horror movies ironically. Objects levitating to people asleep in their beds levitating. Rock will fall from the sky and profound writing will be written on the walls. Reading the transcripts to the tape recording of one of the exorcisms being preform is straight-up chilling.
I don't know what to think about this book. It's not a matter of believing or disbelieving. This is seen to go beyond that. Everyone has a ghost story. If you want to start a conversation, ask someone if they have seen a ghost. Because everyone is going to have a story to tell, whether they have seen a ghost or know someone that has. The book does point out how everyone would be eager to talk about ghosts but, it never goes any further to the...demonic. Understandably so. I will say once the conversation has gone that way for me.
Storytime everyone.
Being an exorcist is no walk in the park. You must have a strong will and strength in the faith you follow. Every major religion has a form of exorcism. It not remotely always Catholic as it offends seen in horror movies. And no, I did not solely get this from horror movies. I met someone that wants to be an exorcist. That was years ago, so I'm assuming that he is one now. Pierceton (that what I will call him here) openly said he strongly Catholic, so it makes scene.
Let back up and explain some things. This was seven to six years ago when I was in Sea Scouts at the time. I was like sixteen? Seventeen? It was summertime and a Sea Scout ship (Troop) from Kentucky wanted to meet up for the week with the ship I was in.
We all set up camp on the military's base and show them what it is like to sail out on the ocean and swim at the beach. Which was within walking distance of the campsite. When it got dark out, we will play a round of manhunt. There were the woods where the tents are set up, two little cabins, a dirt road, and a lookout tower in a grassy field. There are tons of places for ten to twelve kids to hid for 30 minutes. I end up winning by outsmarting everyone.
After the game was done, we grab some folding chairs and set them up in the middle of the dirt road. For a while we just chatted about stuff then somehow the topic landed on ghosts. Pierceton told stories about staying at little out of the way inns that turn out to be haunted. Then a girl from my ship (let's called her Jewel) told us about her mom living in this apartment and seeing this tall dark entity with red eyes. As you can see where this leads to. Pierceton brought up demonology, exorcism and how he wants to be an exorcist. This is someone who about my age (early twenties). Being an exorcist is still a path that someone can go down. I wouldn't say career because it's not something that wouldn't come to mind. Images little kids telling a teacher what they want to be when they grow up. Kid one: A firemen. Kid two: A policeman. Kid three: an exorcist. Teacher whisper to parents: your kid needs therapy.
Conclusion:
This is an interesting biography about Ed and Lorraine Warren who fully lives helping people. Even if it something of the beyond.
I don't know what to think about this book. It's not a matter of believing or disbelieving. This is seen to go beyond that. Everyone has a ghost story. If you want to start a conversation, ask someone if they have seen a ghost. Because everyone is going to have a story to tell, whether they have seen a ghost or know someone that has. The book does point out how everyone would be eager to talk about ghosts but, it never goes any further to the...demonic. Understandably so. I will say once the conversation has gone that way for me.
Storytime everyone.
Being an exorcist is no walk in the park. You must have a strong will and strength in the faith you follow. Every major religion has a form of exorcism. It not remotely always Catholic as it offends seen in horror movies. And no, I did not solely get this from horror movies. I met someone that wants to be an exorcist. That was years ago, so I'm assuming that he is one now. Pierceton (that what I will call him here) openly said he strongly Catholic, so it makes scene.
Let back up and explain some things. This was seven to six years ago when I was in Sea Scouts at the time. I was like sixteen? Seventeen? It was summertime and a Sea Scout ship (Troop) from Kentucky wanted to meet up for the week with the ship I was in.
We all set up camp on the military's base and show them what it is like to sail out on the ocean and swim at the beach. Which was within walking distance of the campsite. When it got dark out, we will play a round of manhunt. There were the woods where the tents are set up, two little cabins, a dirt road, and a lookout tower in a grassy field. There are tons of places for ten to twelve kids to hid for 30 minutes. I end up winning by outsmarting everyone.
After the game was done, we grab some folding chairs and set them up in the middle of the dirt road. For a while we just chatted about stuff then somehow the topic landed on ghosts. Pierceton told stories about staying at little out of the way inns that turn out to be haunted. Then a girl from my ship (let's called her Jewel) told us about her mom living in this apartment and seeing this tall dark entity with red eyes. As you can see where this leads to. Pierceton brought up demonology, exorcism and how he wants to be an exorcist. This is someone who about my age (early twenties). Being an exorcist is still a path that someone can go down. I wouldn't say career because it's not something that wouldn't come to mind. Images little kids telling a teacher what they want to be when they grow up. Kid one: A firemen. Kid two: A policeman. Kid three: an exorcist. Teacher whisper to parents: your kid needs therapy.
Conclusion:
This is an interesting biography about Ed and Lorraine Warren who fully lives helping people. Even if it something of the beyond.
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