Member Reviews
Honestly I did expect more supernatural stories about exorcisms and less about the writer's own spiritual relationship with God. I don't want to be unkind but it also wasn't written very well and needs quite a lot of editorial work.
Recollection of multiple demonic possessions must have been emotionally difficult on the author, as he states several times in this book. And while many of these tales were outlandish, they were interesting, and compelling.
However, the writing simply isn’t there.
It’s written in such a way that you could be reading a transcript of an elderly man sitting on his porch talking to himself. Separate sections of his life seem to blend together, and on a few occasions, he references wholly new to us things, but gives no context, as though we’re supposed to just KNOW. It’s very clear that, if this book was edited prior to its release, it was done by a family member or friend, who knew these things beforehand, and those issues slipped right by them.
The author also adds in unnecessary details that seem to serve as a tool to build up his own ego. For instance, in chapter two, his girlfriend has been possessed and is strangling him. Instead of talking about the unnatural force her dainty hands are applying, he says that, at the time this occurred, he could bench press 500 pounds, so that should tell you how fiercely she was choking him, because benching 500 pounds leads to a stronger trachea (duh)… this wholly irrelevant detail did nothing but make me believe our author has no understanding of human anatomy, and/or thought that was a good opportunity to tell us how studly he was back in the day.
All-in-all, really, all this book needs is a good editor—someone to help the author understand what detail has a place in the book and what doesn’t. After that, the writing wouldn’t seem so egoist and rambling. It would feel personable and unique, which is what we readers just eat up.
I genuinely hate to give such a low rating, especially to a man of the cloth. But it’s the God’s honest truth. And I truly believe that if the author found a good editor, and re-published it, it would absolutely soar.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and leave an honest review on Tales From an Exorcist
I didn't download this one in time so I had to track a copy down on my own. I have to be honest here - I didn't love it. I thought I would be reading about exorcisms. I was excited to read an inside scoop. That isn't what this is. This is about the author's relationship with god. I am sure that helps with exorcisms but I need more.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I have to be honest I felt a little tricked by this book. The description made me think it would be full of actual exorcism stories. It was more about the authors relationship with God. I have no problem with it but not what I thought it was about at all. Disappointed
I was looking forward to reading this. I am fascinated by the supernatural, but this was much more about the author's relationship with God, and how this relationship has made the writer a brilliant exorcist.
I'm sure it would be a good read for someone who is looking to read about the religious good beating evil, but I wasn't looking for this.
I wasn't a huge fan of Bean's delivery either. I found myself skimming towards the end. Not for me.
Many thanks to the Reverend William J Bean and NetGalley for this copy.
I haven't read books on exorcism yet and i cannot fathom why. So this book i hoped would start to remedy that.
Sadly I'm not sure i got everything i hoped for. There was too much of the author in it and less actual action. I ended up skimming in the beginning to get to the interesting parts.
It was an interesting read overall, but i wanted to be riveted and i didn't get that.
An interesting book portraying the life of an Exorcist, helping to save people in various states of the USA.
If the stories in this book are true, which the author claims are, then there are some spectacular events happening in homes across the world, such as levitation, full demonic possession, objects flying about by themselves, doors and cupboards opening and closing by the hand of spirits.
The book is quite short and I often found the chapters were lacking in real detail.
If you are into the paranormal, spirits, ghosts and demons then this book will interest you.
The only reason I read this book is because I thought it would have some stellar exorcism stories, however even those were lame. This book was extremely repetitive and felt more like a promotion for the author with all the testimonials at the end. I also read it on my kindle and the pictures wouldn't load.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The problem is, I really don't know what my opinion is. I have never seen anything like this first hand, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I would read it with the knowledge that it could be real, or false. Only you can decide.
Book was interesting to say the least but some of the stories do seem fictional or a little over the top. For a reader who enjoys the paranormal from a religious standpoint I can see them enjoying this.
I will start out by saying I love the "spirit" of this book (no pun intended)! As a horror fan and someone interested in the occult, paranormal, and ghost-hunting, I'm in favor of there being more books like this out there because it only adds to the interest and popularity of the subject! Though I am familiar with the television programs Bill Bean was a part of, I have never watched any of them, so I went into this blind about his life and experience. The first 40% of this book is Bill giving his life story and why he decided to devote his life to being a "spiritual warrior." Some experiences his family underwent, as well as all the many lives he's led (from grocery store attendant, to construction worker, book purveyor, and working at the "hardest" bars you can think of, and then being an alcohol and drug addict), this all seemed really fantastical and far-fetched. The rest of the book is filled with cases he's worked and testimonials from those families. There's a lot of prayer and talk of seeing angels, actually seeing physical manifestations of demons, etc. It just all seemed like a parody and cliched façade of what society believes exorcists do. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of it all, but it just didn't seem believable to me. Moreover, at the end of the book, Bill has a list of things that make you more susceptible to possession that was just ridiculous- such as being interested in the occult, wanting your house and rooms to be dark all the time, listening to "satanic music," etc. He even said to watch out for buying things second-hand because demons could possess them. To further add to this, he talked about appearing at paranormal and other types of fan conventions. Yet, he says that if you're interested in that stuff, you're going to get possessed? I checked out some of Bill's websites and not surprisingly, they are filled with 90's ascetic hyperlinks and graphics (one of which leads to a website about his theory on the Mandela Effect). Overall, it was a grandiose tale of exorcisms, whether you choose to believe it or not. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!
Entails from an exorcist by Reverend William J Bean it is part memoir port exorcism journal but all great. From his honest account of his divorce the tragic death of his grandfather his love for his aunt and uncle and yes also exercising demons and watching people growl and foam at the mouth weather creepy or honest and emotional the one thing it does is keep you turning the pages. I found this book so interesting and highly recommend it. If you love the paranormal and or memoirs you should read this book because you get a little bit of both. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
A gripping and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the reality of demonic possession and the ongoing battle for human souls. While some readers may find the subject matter controversial, Bean's personal experiences and case files offer a compelling perspective on the issue. The book is well-written and engaging, with a clear and concise writing style that makes it accessible to a wide audience. Whether you believe in demons or not, this book is a fascinating read that offers valuable insight into the challenges faced by those struggling with a range of emotional and spiritual issues.
Reverend William J. Bean's book, Tales From An Exorcist, is a fascinating account of his personal experiences battling demonic forces. While some readers may be skeptical of the existence of demons, Bean's firsthand encounters and extensive work as a spiritual warrior lend credence to his claims. The book is well-written and engaging, taking readers on a journey through a range of spiritual and emotional issues that afflict people from all walks of life. Bean's compassion and dedication to helping those in need shine through in his writing, making this book an inspiring and thought-provoking read.
I read this book in one sitting. The accounts of the exorcisms were interesting enough, but I found the testimonials regarding Reverend Bean to not provide anything to the exorcism accounts. More it was there to support he is the real deal. Some editing would improve the book to cut down on repetitive phrases such as "giant angel warriors" which was said multiple, multiple times throughout the book. I knew what the first part of each encounter was going to say. I'm sure his preparation, was the same, I just don't need to read it over and over again.
CW: Religion, Suicide/Suicidal Thoughts, Demonic Possession, Abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental Illness
When I saw this book on NetGalley, I chose to read/review it because I recognized Reverend Bean. I'd actually seen him on an episode of Ghost Nation that featured a plantation that was purported to possibly have demonic activity going on in the house/on the property. While I wasn't overly impressed with his methods on the show, I thought it would be interesting to read about some of his cases - because that's what Tales From an Exorcist is - recountings of a selection of the exorcisms he's performed.
I'm going to come right out and say it - I'm still not impressed by Reverend Bean. The entire book gives me the impression that he doesn't actually believe in mental illness, addiction, etc. as actual issues/conditions, but instead believes that demons are to blame for these things. This is a viewpoint I absolutely can't stand and absolute abhor when it comes up in books, television shows, etc.. While nothing ever actually comes right out and states this is his viewpoint, he blames a demon for attempting to kill one of the people he was helping when she attempted suicide while he was present in one of the cases told about in the book.
Reverend Bean also makes an interesting connection - conveniently, most, if not all, cases of demonic possession he's dealt with involve people who were victims of some sort of childhood trauma and/or abuse. He states that these people are "low" and are "more susceptible" to demonic possession due to not having a good relationship with God.
I find his writing style to be obnoxious as well - there is no need to use all-caps when referring to God (Examples: GOD, YOU, YOUR, YAHWEH, HalleluYAH, etc..) - a simple capitalization of the first letter is all that is necessary. Even the Bible doesn't use all-caps for God's various names. Yet when Reverend Bean refers to Jesus, he only capitalizes the first letter of Jesus' name. I also found that I felt like Reverend Bean was a bit too boastful in his writing - it almost made me feel as though he were saying "look at me, look what I did to help these people" while also attempting to give credit to God for helping him "rid someone of demonic possession".
All in all I found this book to be very off-putting - the idea that one's relationship with God makes them more or less likely to be possessed by demons, making claims that being abused as a child allows demons to possess someone, etc., just strikes me as self-serving and irritating. Unless you're into this kind of thing, I wouldn't recommend reading the book.