The Screwtape Letters

Amazing

This is not a moralizing book trying to convert people to Christianity. Even as a Jew, I found Lewis's writing and religious beliefs to change my perspective on many things in life. It is a well-written book that can be enjoyed by anyone.

11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

Lewis at his best!

The Screwtape Letters is more relevant today than ever. CS Lewis describes the temptations of today's times as well as yesterdays, validating the point that evil is consistant and hardworking, if nothing else. Masterfully done!

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Timelessly True...

I have to be honest. When I come across something that takes me by surprise, I don't think I can do it justice. That is the case with Focus on the Family's Radio Theater version of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. The Screwtape Letters were a series of letters that C.S. Lewis wrote about Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood--both workers for the Devil about how to effectively lead people to Hell and away from God. They were originally published separately in a magazine and then compiled as a book.

I think the release of this audiodrama is very timely in our culture today. It brings to life C.S. Lewis' book from 60+ years ago. What amazes me so much about it is how true it remains today--even about our culture! I thought beforehand that there would be some very insightful comments made in it, but I had no idea how many!

I have not read the actual book, but it is on our bookshelf so I picked it up after listening to the audiodrama. It is amazingly true to the book. It is not a drastic abridgement as I had expected. The language they use is true to the book and the way Wormwood and Screwtape talk is also true to the book.

There is one particular point that struck me today that I didn't want to forget to mention. It was when Screwtape tells Wormwood that the best road to (Hell) is a very gradual one--not one marked by huge sins. Huge sins make people aware of their need for God. The gradual road (in my words) is like the frog in a pot that comes to a boil gradually--so he doesn't know he's dying.

What most struck me as I listened was that what Screwtape was really talking about is Cynicism. Cynicism is the Devil's best way to turn us away from the Lord. C.S. Lewis used other words, but essentially, that is what he was talking about.

As far as the dramatization goes, it is best to listen to it in daylight--although at night, it might have more of an impact on you. The actors were excellent! I wasn't concerned about the Behind the Scenes DVD because that has never been something I've really watched on movies. On the packaging, there is a warning that it is for ages 12 and up. I would agree with that and I'm glad they placed that age recommendation on the back. I was careful not to play it around my little ones or within their earshot.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Devilishly Clever...

The Screwtape Letters remains one of the most powerful satires of recent times; not only because it can be interpreted on so many different levels. It's without parallel insofar as demands on the reader go- it forces you to reassess your views of religion and God, and although you always know 'the Enemy will win the day', you find yourself mesmerised, and keen to know the next installment. What struck me, especially in light of all the government scandals lately, is how much like a spin doctor Screwtape is. His insights into human behaviour are sharp and shrewd- he knows how to 'play the violin prettily', but his championing of obviously hideous things (the delight of Noise, for instance)and debasement of the Enemy (his belittlement of God betrays his fear of him)expose him for the fraud he is. It's scary, though. In 'Screwtape Makes a Toast', the appendix to this volume, Screwtape speaks at lenght about how it is not fabulously wicked people but small-minded, everyday evil that will eventually win the fight against God, and the country, under the guise of 'Democracy', will be one of apathy and mediocrity... and it's true!!!! Devilishly clever, but very scary. It demands a second, third... countless rereads.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

insightful

set up in the form of letters from an upper-level demon (screwtape) to a newbie tempter (wormwood), c.s. lewis describes the strengths and weaknesses of human nature. there were times when i laughed out loud while reading this, because i felt like screwtape and wormwood had been inside of my head my whole life. this book gives hope to struggling souls and inspires everyone to work harder, because, as the book points out, when we are trying to do good, God is 'pleased even with [our] stumbles.'

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Love it!

I definatly recomend it ! The book is in a demons perspective of how to control mortals. Its written by one of my favorite authors......C.S.Lewis

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

An Excellent Study in 'What Not To Do'

In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis has presented with one side of a correspondence between two fictitious demons. Screwtape, a demon with a high position and good standing with the one they name as their 'Father below', writes to his younger nephew, teaching him in the methods of temptation. In this unique way, Lewis reveals not only temptations themselves, but also the way to overcome them through Jesus Christ. In addition, it is a highly entertaining read, sometimes depressing, at many times humorous, and always insightful, as we follow two demons' plot to ensnare the soul of a new Christian. ---Ryan Robledo Author of the Aelnathan

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

One of the best

I read this book many years ago and I just got another copy to give to someone who is dealing with evil forces at work in their life. ' The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' The screwtape letters shows how satan and his demons try to discourage a person of faith. It is a very good read indeed, and just like the sacred Scriptures, it has to be read and understood spiritually. It appears that those who excoriate this beneficial book are still in slippery places. In this book one can see that satan is a liar and the father of lies. 5 stars plus one.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Brillant.

The Screwtape Letters makes you think in a fashion that is unexpected. C.S. Lewis puts into words the unnoticed ideas and processes that go on everyday. The indirect (everything in the Screwtape Letters is indirect) messages concerning morality and faith are still valid today. It is eerie to realize that the same battles over worldliness have gone on since time began.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Captivating and original

The Screwtape Letters is by far one of the best books I have read lately. I had heard about the concept of the story from a friend and was intrigued by the idea of demons surrounding us in our daily lives, tempting and manipulating us in various ways. The book certainly lived up to the hopes I had for it. I was delighted with the advice and guidance that Screwtape offers to his dear "nephew"/trainee, Wormwood, in setting the human he has been assigned to towards the path of damnation. It all seemed more than conceivable that such a thing could truly be occuring everyday around all around us.....a constant battle between good and evil for the souls of mankind. This book gives a revealing and insightful sneak peek into what such a struggle may in fact look like. Being privy to such a scene is not only fun...but immensely satisfying. :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic

A creative and thought provoking take on the reality of spiritual warfare.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Read This Book!!

Poor C.S. Lewis must have had to go to a very dark place in his mind to produce such a compelling and intricate portrait of the evil forces working against believers at all times. But thank goodness he did, because The Screwtape Letters offers such a neat perspective into something that I think most people don't like/want to think about. The book reads very easily from chapter to chapter, or rather letter to letter. It is relatable on multiple levels and really causes the reader to take a moment to reflect on how these situations manifest in his or her own life, and Lewis's concept leads the reader to evaluate how to proceed when it seems that his or her own Screwtape is chiseling away at his or her foundation. Thankfully for us and for the central character in The Screwtape Letters, that foundation is Rock!! Thought provoking and conversation-starter...this book is a must read and a valuable addition to one's personal library.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

To know our adversary...

I highly recommend this book. With our lives moving faster and faster and there being in general less quiet and down time, its obvious why "the father of lies" would like us not to encounter this book. Lewis gives us a "grain of understanding" as to the real battle we are facing as human beings, God's children. "The battle is not against flesh and blood"...in this book we see the battle between good and evil, and how the battle is not fought only in the physical realm, but in our mind and heart as well. Lewis gives us a glimpse of how we are distracted, lied to, and generally kept captive, if we are not listening to our Father...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Christian Truth

C.S.Lewis delivers Christian truths in letters and conversations between demons. Andy Serkis does an excellent job in dramatizing the book. It's hard to stop listening to the drama to do something else. If you want to listen to the whole thing at once you better have a day when you do not need to do anything else. I'm glad I have this in my audio collection now.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must Have!

I am a big fan of Radio Theater: The Screwtape Letters audio-drama. If you are at all familiar with the works of Author CS Lewis, there is no doubt in my mind you'll really enjoy this drama.

Screw Tape Letters is a series that was written to shed light on spiritual warfare in showing how easily people can be led astray from God. And though this series was written over sixty years ago, much if not all that is mentioned can be applied to our lives today.

The actors did an excellent job in placing you in the lives of the characters, the effects and noises were top quality, and the music was quite fitting in every scene. The sheer quality of it all really kept me hooked once I started listening.

Note that you may not want to listen to this with little ones around. There can be some frightening situations and sounds thus there is a warning that it is for ages 12 and up on the packaging.

I'm a fan of seeing how things likes films were created so after I had finished listening, I found myself captivated by the behind-the-scenes video documentaries on the bonus DVD that was included.

I believe that everyone would benefit from listening to Radio Theater: The Screwtape Letters audio-drama. 5 Stars and props from me to Focus on the Family for putting this great series together into such a moving dramatic audio book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

C.S. Lewis Shines as Always

C.S. Lewis nails human nature in this fascinating little novel. I found myself reevaluating myself and my actions in the light of the wisdom he shares. An excellent choice for anyone wishing to read something uplifting and well-written.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

REMINDS ME OF ANOTHER TITLE

I recently purchased another book entitled, "The Dialogues Of Adolph And Mavelia And Other Sketches" by E. A. Merodach, which followed the same concept as "The Screwtape Letters", only much more technically informative. Both were no less really great reads. Enjoy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A ReRead Must

The Letters was recommended to me almost a year ago by a dear friend. Lewis knows how to write in a way that captures you from the beginning. But this is not a book to be sped thru. And reading it only once is a no-no. I will be rereading this book a few more times. My first read gave me a basic understanding, but now I am going to slow down and delve more into the messages that are on the pages. A must read for everyone who is curious to know of how the other side probably thinks in relation to us as humans.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Essential

The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis, consists of a series of correspondence between Screwtape, an administrator of relatively high (or, from his point of view, low) position in Satan's bureaucracy; and his nephew Wormwood, a junior tempter just graduated from "temptation college," as it were. These letters -or at least those of Screwtape to Wormwood, we never read the actual replies- concern Wormwood's attempts to secure an ordinary man's soul for hell. This demonic point of view makes for an interesting read.

One note about the book is how, due to the viewpoint, there is a complete reversal of good and bad. Screwtape regards human "virtues" as exceedingly detrimental to the cause, and vices just their opposite. Satan becomes "our father below," and God as we know him is "the Enemy." If Screwtape recommends that Wormwood ought to encourage something in his Patient's (the person he is assigned to, and the human focus of the book) life, then we, as people, ought to discourage it. (Hence, Screwtape's being "low" in his master's service, mentioned earlier.) At first, this can be rather confusing; "Screwtape's black is our white." (Lewis, the forward.) It takes a moment to change back, transforming "good" back into bad, so that his "advice" can become helpful to the reader. However, after becoming used to the style, one can easily execute this reversal without much thought.

I found the book to be just fantastic. It is chock full of advice to aid the common Christian on their way, and I for one believe it is one book besides the Bible itself that every Christian should read. Of course, this overwhelmingly positive perception might not prove true for all. Lewis' very 20th century-British style might prove less accessible for some; and what seems to be of infinite importance to one might appear rather insignificant to someone else. Others still might think it just plain weird. But that does not change it for me; after initially picking up the book I have read it through three times and promptly proceeded to order a C.S. Lewis 'essentials' paperback box-set.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book

Great book i love it