The Screwtape Letters Hardcover – 27 Mar. 2021

This book was recommended to me as both amusing and thought provoking, and also as a brilliant piece of writing. It does indeed tick all of those boxes.In quite the reverse of what we expect from CS Lewis, The Screwtape Letters is written from the point of view of evil. In this refreshing discussion of ethics and human nature, the demon Screwtape provides instruction to his nephew Wormwood, a young and inexperienced temptor.Screwtape essentially sums up the temptations and pitfalls of mortal life which are used by, and wherever possible instigated by, the demons to damn souls to Hell. Virtues are illustrated as the things Wormwood must prevent from developing in his `patient' and vices to be promoted.There are many ironic laughs in this book. We are chastised by means of reverse psychology in recognising traits we have, or that society as a whole has, within the ideals that Screwtape upholds.Some of the passages in this book are quite prophetic in many ways, although they refer to human nature as it has always been. Chapter/Letter XXV in particular hit home to me as being highly relevant to 21st Century society and the almost hedonistic consumerism that so dominates our lives. Screwtape himself would now be an advertising executive, I imagine, bombarding us with ever bigger, flashier ways to part with our cash and place greater and greater importance on the ownership of non-essential `things'.The Screwtape Letters really did make me think, and even putting aside the Christian doctrine, there is still a great deal said about basic morality and decency that applies to all humans, regardless of belief. If you are human, because I appreciate you might not be and I have no problem with that, The Screwtape Letters is worth reading.

It is important to read the very short preface of this book in order to see more clearly what the author was trying to achieve. Doing this will put the letters into context better.I found the letters encouraging in that they clearly underlined God's wish to do good to us or rather to give us immeasurable peace, joy, contentment and true pleasure.I also found the book challenging in that it made me question why I do, think, act and speak in the way I do e.g. I all too easily believe the softly spoken lies of devils like Screwtape and his associates.I thought briefly about giving the book 4 out of 5 because I cannot say I understood it all and went back and read some pages and paragraphs again. Upon reflection however I decided that this was not a bad thing and may well be part of 'continuing to work out your salvation,' Philipians Ch 12 v 2.

C.S.Lewis does it again, with wit, insight and wisdom, he endevours to show the Christian how devious, and clever the Devil is when he sets out to entrap us, using our thoughts, our eyes, ears, taste, words and deeds. We may not even realise we are being tempted, as he uses ordinary everyday occurrances to trip us up. He can appear as an angel of light, and soothe us onto the path to hell. People, even atheist, appear to blame God for everything that goes wrong with this world, yet the Devil is prince of this world, and we are human beings, with free will. God allows us to choose, and sometimes our choices sets the course toward evil deeds.I don't think, many would not agree with the fact that our world appears to be in meltdown. It's in a mess, and the Devil is pleased.

I enjoyed Lewis' approach of a series of letters from a senior demon to a junior tempter but it is not easy to take it all in. I am on my 3rd reading with some sections difficult to understand.

I think probably his best work outside of the Narnia series. I've read it at least 3 times from cover to cover. Yes it is fiction, but what insight into the human condition! I have found myself reading and agreeing with the author, even laughing at the humour he packs in. Its ok to laugh. Its ok to be challenged as well. An easy to read masterpiece by one of the greatest Christian apologists of the last 100 years. Every Christian should read. "The long dull years of mid-life prosperity are excellent campaigning ground for the enemy". Brilliant!

This almost reads like a Harry Potter page-turner, but with only one character! The profound truths contained in it are not new to the Church, but made accesible, and indeed unforgettable by the lovely Mr Lewis, in his inimitable style. An example is his remarks on prayer after reading which I have started prostrating myself before my altar at home, which I have never done before, so telling is the effect it had on me. (N0, I am not a priest, yes I am a Catholic). God bless.

I had read the book some years ago but this copy was for a friend. The book is certainly funny but for me I found the extra chapter at the back very thought provoking. When you consider that Lewis added this chapter in the 1960s he couldn't have known that some of the 'predictions' he wrote, such as the lowering of standards in education, actually started to happen some 30 years later.

The story line is excellent but although I orderEd a NEW copy, because of its age the page edges were rather yellow and was unsuitable for a gift.