Discussion groups could take a number of approaches to The Ninth Configuration, examining its themes and techniques in the book alone, or studying the book in various contexts. Obviously, reading both Twinkle, Twinkle, "Killer" Kane, and The Ninth Configuration, with careful comparison, will teach much about not only the two books but also Blatty's priorities and techniques as a writer, and about writing in general. Reading The Ninth Configuration in conjunction with one of its predeces sors, such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or Catch-22, could illuminate both literary and social issues. And of course, even more comparisons and contrasts than could be presented here will be apparent if one does read The Exorcist, The Ninth Configuration, and Legion as a trilogy, as Douglas Winter suggests.

On the other hand, groups could study The Ninth Configuration alone, as a book, or movie, or both...