I’m not entirely certain if there is any other book that has enlightened my imagination in quite the same way as this one. It has, at the same time, increased my terror, awakened my convictions, and left me in a state of awe.

By presenting the bad, Lewis has enhanced the good. Goodness, in its unadulterated form, is breathtakingly beautiful. It is even more beautiful than the original Beautiful Angel himself, who was ultimately cast down from the Heavens. This is a beauty that he can never comprehend, let alone seize for his own purposes. Ultimately, it leads to his downfall in that age-old battle between good and evil.

I had read that Lewis was extremely troubled by how effortlessly he could write from a devil’s perspective and was thus relieved to complete this series. I can believe it. The amount of acting that must have occurred for him to pen the scenes of rage and diabolical enjoyment would have been extremely burdensome on any soul.

Once again, I am humbled by Lewis’ work. It is truly a masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire readers.

C. S. Lewis is indeed one of the remarkable Christian Apologists of our era.

The Screwtape Letters stands as an exceptionally clever exploration of the age-old conflict between God and Satan, evil and good, and the arduous struggle for the human soul.

Composed in the format of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew, a fledgling demon in training, the book directly delves into the efforts the devil undertakes to deceive and entice human beings into doing his bidding and renouncing God.

The examples presented are as relevant in our contemporary society as they were in Lewis’ time. One of the principal and most effective tactics is to prevent a person from thinking or reasoning and keep their focus firmly on this world and the material, short-term aspects rather than on eternity. It doesn't require much effort to observe this happening all around us.

Lewis himself was a keen observer of human weaknesses and strengths, and how these qualities influenced the well-being or detriment of mankind. In discussing the arousal of hatred, Screwtape cautions that merely voicing it is not always equivalent to feeling or acting upon it.

The section on marriage and “unselfishness” and how it can be exploited to undermine love and harmony is highly amusing. He further elaborates on how to use teenage children as a means of provoking, and only those who have never spent more than a couple of hours with an adolescent would not find this humorous.

I found this light-hearted, ironic style to be ideal for conveying his message. There is no hint of preaching here; instead, there is common sense and complete understanding. He is writing about us; he is writing about himself. One can take away from it whatever they choose.

Just a note. One of the factors that compelled me to revisit this collection was an article I was reading about the relationship between Lewis and Tolkien. Their friendship was profound yet had its flaws. Lewis attributed his return to Christianity to Tolkien and dedicated this book to him. However, Tolkien’s Catholicism and Lewis’ decision to be a Protestant led to a conflict and tension. Tolkien did not care for the book nor did he appreciate the dedication.

It is truly an extremely rare occurrence when a profoundly spiritual and devout author is able to make their work not only accessible but also highly entertaining even to those who are nonreligious, like myself. I always feel a sense of appreciation whenever this happens. C.S. Lewis seems to be a rather reliable choice in this regard. Although prior to this, I had only read Narnia among his works. I really should explore more of his writings.

The morals presented here (obviously, once reversed) are actually excellent life lessons for all of us, regardless of whether we believe in God or the Devil. And it is presented in a comedic fashion that elicits several good laughs. You have these idiots ranting and raving about the good guys and the unfairness of everything, and also throwing in a few good jokes about their utterly soul-crushing existence. You can relate to them to a certain extent, sympathize with them, understand their perspective, without ever truly taking their side. And in the end, you applaud when they fail. I might hope that they would understand in the end, but then what would they eat?

I guess when you focus on the heroes and leave the villains vague, unseen, and alien, you get good horror. But when you do the opposite, as is the case here, you get good comedy. And it is all the better if there is actually a meaningful point to it as well.

Don't skip this one even if you are an atheist. And definitely not if you are a devout Christian, as you would probably discover another layer in it that, unfortunately, I missed. It is wholeheartedly recommended to everyone.

If not for the fact that this is a satire in earnest, it would serve as a powerful absurdist invective against humanity itself.

If this book improved my view of Christians it was only because it points out that all the faults conspicuous in the rabidly faithful are equally well-represented in the uninformed agnostic, if less readily apparent--Lewis does his best to drag everyone down to a common level.

The sharp weapon of Lewis's rhetoric tears down humanity through all its self-righteous hubris, denial, misdirected hopes, and easy mistakes. However, one begins to develop the impression, slowly at first, that Lewis has nothing to offer in return. There are scarcely words of alternatives, let alone improvements.

Lewis does give us a house which disgusts the devils and redeems the sinful, but this perfect representation of Christian values is just a lack of badness, not a profusion of goodness. It is'suffused' by some sort of magical glow which infects the cat, but magical glows do not a life philosophy make. I got the impression that Lewis hoped to fill in with the good parts later, but couldn't think of any.

Human beings have a cognitive bias for avoiding punishment, even to the point where we will avoid a small punishment rather than seek a great reward. Perhaps this fear consumed Lewis, as it does so many people. That would explain why his books seem more concerned with avoiding small errors instead of seeking out grand achievements.

But then, Lewis has a similar failing with grand villainy. Sure, he's able to point out all the little, foolish errors we make, but he seems to have no ability to understand actual malice or hatred. His demons, like all his villains, just do bad things because it's required of them. Lewis is unable to develop any motivation for them to do evil, which means that, in the end, his vision of evil is silly, petty, and dismissive. He cannot give us a vision of a truly dangerous devil, like Milton's or Hogg's, just an arbitrary (and easily blamed) antagonist.

Lewis said writing these letters was more unpleasant than any of his other books, and that he could not bring himself to write a sequel. I find little surprise in this, because one can see how, as the book goes on, Lewis more and more recognizes the failures of mankind but when he tries to express what makes him or his faith any different, cannot find anything to say.

The'suffusing glow' becomes a metaphor for Lewis's own righteousness, but whenever Lewis isn't basking in his own self-righteousness, he is ridiculing someone else's. Lewis' rhetoric is most deficient when he scorns one of man's many faults, then calls it a virtue in the next chapter.

For example, the book begins with the demon advising that humans should be encouraged to think of things as being'real' without ever questioning what that means. The term'real life' is meant to act as a self-justification for assumptions, not as an introspective view. This is 'bad' because'real' has no meaning beyond the opinion of the user, and hence it can be used to justify anything.

Then Lewis begins to talk about how the Christians should make sure to follow what is 'natural', but fails to define what 'natural' is supposed to mean. Like'real', 'natural' can be used to justify any idea or position, but Lewis does not turn a skeptical eye on himself.

This can hardly surprise, as Lewis maintains a philosophy of Duality. Dualism presents the 'with us/against us' ideal by which any two groups may grow to hate one another despite the fact that they have relatively few differences. As long as one defines the other as bad, there is no need to define the self as good, as in the Dualistic system, there is only good and evil, and you are either one or the other.

Lewis often falls back on this defense, showing how some men are bad, how he is different from them, and then assuming 'different' equals 'better'. He uses rational, skeptical argument to show how flawed his opponent is, but tearing down others is not the same as raising yourself up.

That being said, it would still be refreshing to meet a believer who had put as much thought and work into attempting to understand and explain themselves. It is rare to find thoughtfulness and skepticism, believer or no. Atheists and scientists can be just as troubled, flawed, and deluded as anyone else.

The lesson I will pull from this is that it is important for me to concentrate on myself and my own growth, because worrying about everyone else didn't help Lewis, and it isn't going to help me, either. I must not simply tear down those who are different from me, since this doesn't prove that I am right, any more than a bully proves his superiority by his insults and threats.

The first few pages of this truly blew me away.

Here, a senior demon is counseling a junior demon on how to obtain a specific human being's soul for hell. Lewis employs this counter perspective to offer his take on human nature and Christian values,剖析 our weaknesses and strengths, our self-indulgences and hypocrisies, and our self-delusions. But also our resilience. His conclusion appears to be that nearly any act can be either good or evil, including the meal one consumes, and even prayer itself. The challenge lies in serving something greater than one's own ego and adhering to authenticity.

This is a refreshing thought experiment that I was thoroughly enjoying in the beginning. The observations seem profound as you have to invert their meaning to grasp Lewis' point. It's a clever way to present a religious perspective without coming across as preachy, (although by the end it was starting to feel that way). The narrative is constructed like a satire, but the tone never fully convinced me. It does, however, criticize how impressionable humans can be and how, if you can adequately influence one or two channels of thought, you can generally control human behavior. The demonic instructions here could equally serve as a philosophy of advertising.

A line that stood out: “His biggest weakness is that he is willing to accept the illusion of virtue over actual virtue.”

Clive Staple Lewis had The Screwtape Letters published in 1942.

The book is a unique work that consists of Screwtape, an old Demon, writing letters to his young demon nephew Wormwood.

The Screwtape Letters is a remarkable piece of literature that combines satire, Christianity, and great intelligence. It is my second C.S. Lewis book, and I am extremely attracted to both what he has to say and his writing style.

So much so that I am starting another one tonight, The Great Divorce. I look forward to reading as much of his work as possible.

I would highly suggest that if you ever wanted to read any of his books, you should get started immediately.

Below are some snippets from The Screwtape Letters, which I hope will encourage you to read it.

"Oh to get one's teeth again into a Farinata, a Henry VIII, or even a Hitler! There was a real crackling there; a rage, an egotism, a cruelty only less robust than our own. It put up a delicious resistance to being devoured. It warmed your innards when you'd got it down."

"That invaluable man Rousseau first revealed it. In his perfect democracy, you remember, only the state religion is permitted, slavery is restored, and the individual is told that he has really willed (though he didn't know it) whatever the Government tells him to do. From that starting point, via Hegel (another indispensable propagandist on our side), we easily contrived both the Nazi and the Communist State."

"Democracy is the word with which you must lead them by the nose. The good work which our philological experts have already done in the corruption of human language makes it unnecessary to warn you that they should never be allowed to give this word a clear and definable meaning."

"No man who says I'm as good as you believes it. He would not say it if he did. The St Bernard never says it to the toy dog, nor the scholar to the dunce, nor the employable to the bum, nor the pretty woman to the plain. The claim to equality, outside the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior. What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept."

"All is summed up in the prayer which a young female human is said to have uttered recently: 'Oh God, make me a normal twentieth-century girl!' Thanks to our labours, this will mean increasingly, 'Make me a minx, a moron, a parasite'."

"Let no man live who is wiser, or better, or more famous, or even more handsomer than the mass. Cut them all down to a level; all slaves, all ciphers, all nobodies. All equals. Thus Tyrants could practice, in a sense, 'democracy'."

“In that promising land the spirit of I’m as good as you has already become something more than a generally social influence. It begins to work itself into their educational system.... The basic principle of the new education is to be that dunces and idlers must not be made to feel inferior to intelligent and industrious pupils. That would be ‘undemocratic’. These differences between the pupils – for they are obviously and nakedly individual differences – must be disguised...At universities, examinations must be framed so that nearly all the students get good marks. Entrance examinations must be framed so that all, or nearly all, citizens can go to universities, whether they have any power (or wish) to profit by higher education or not.... Children who are fit to proceed to a higher class may be artificially kept back, because the others would get a trauma – Beelzebub, what a useful word! – by being left behind. The bright pupil thus remains democratically fettered to his own age-group throughout his school career, and a boy who would be capable of tackling Aeschylus or Dante sits listening to his coaeval’s attempts to spell out A CAT SAT ON THE MAT.

In a word, we may reasonably hope for the virtual abolition of education when I’m as good as you has fully had its way. All incentives to learn and all penalties for not learning will vanish. The few who might want to learn will be prevented; who are they to overtop their fellows?”

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,...Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” This profound statement comes from the classic correspondence between the fiend Screwtape and his diabolical nephew Wormwood. It makes us realize that the path to destruction can be deceptively easy and unnoticeable.

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality. ” This thought-provoking quote emphasizes the significance of courage. It shows that courage is not just a standalone virtue but is essential for all other virtues to manifest in the most challenging and real situations.

The combination of these two quotes, along with the entertaining and original nature of the Screwtape Letters, makes for a truly captivating and thought-provoking read. The accompanying image further enhances the overall experience, giving a visual representation that adds to the atmosphere and mood. It invites the reader to delve deeper into the ideas presented and reflect on their own lives and the choices they make.

A truly powerful story indeed. C. S. Lewis, with great defiance, manages to capture the insidious way in which devils work their way into our minds. They have a remarkable ability to twist and distort what we think, leading us astray from the path of righteousness.

This story is not only a captivating read but also a valuable tool for those who are in need of help in fighting temptations. It serves as a reminder of the constant battle that rages within us between good and evil.

By delving into the inner workings of the devil's tactics, Lewis provides us with insights and wisdom that can assist us in recognizing and resisting the temptations that come our way. His words are like a guiding light in the darkness, helping us to stay on the right track.

I wholeheartedly recommend this story to anyone who is struggling with temptations. It has the potential to open your eyes and give you the strength and courage to overcome the forces that seek to lead you astray.

I truly, truly have a deep affection for this book.

It offers such a captivating and unique perspective on Christianity. CS Lewis, without a doubt, is an outstanding storyteller. His ability to weave a narrative that engages and intrigues the reader is simply remarkable.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook for a portion of this read, and it was narrated by the brilliant John Cleese. Let me tell you, he is an absolutely amazing narrator. His voice brings the story to life in the most wonderful way.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in exploring Christianity from a different angle or who simply enjoys a great story. Whether you choose to read it or listen to the audiobook, you are in for a treat.

Don't miss out on this wonderful literary gem!

With the unfailing British wit and the king of unreliable narrators, C.S. Lewis delves deep into Hell to disclose how a demon's mind operates in The Screwtape Letters.

Years ago, I held the misconception that this book was about possession. However, it transpires to be far more preoccupied with that persistent little voice within us that breeds mistrust towards our friends and family, prompts regrettable decisions, and makes us feel isolated, adrift from our fellows and from God.

Screwtape is a character masterfully crafted. His true nature is revealed not only through what he says outright but also by what he conceals or distorts. He is consumed by hate and revels in others' misery. Yet, his pettiness and self-importance are so absurd that one can't help but laugh at him, especially when he is overcome with rage and accidentally transmogrifies into a giant centipede.

Speaking of transmogrification, this book has exerted a profound influence not only on spiritual thought within certain spheres but also on secular fiction. Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus and Garth Nix's Mogget are Screwtape's cousins from Purgatory. Brimstone and his crew in Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone also bear a resemblance to him, although I'll have to complete the book to determine if they are as damned as he.

And Bill Watterson named Calvin's teacher, Miss Wormwood, after Screwtape's nephew. This apprentice attempted to poison a young man's soul, only to have the lad die and ascend directly to Heaven, while he himself was dragged back to Hell to be devoured alive by the other fiends.

Most editions also feature a diabolically delightful epilogue, “Screwtape Proposes a Toast,” in which Lewis anticipates 99% of what is amiss with modern education. To quote another of his characters, “Bless me, but what do they teach them in the schools these days?”

To
MR. SOURPUSS
Most Revered Lower Secretary
Ministry of Temptation

Dear Sir,

At the outset, I must express my profound regret that a collection of my letters (intended for my wayward nephew Wormwood) has unfortunately fallen into the hands of a loyal servant of the Enemy and has been published. I would like to assert most emphatically that this is in no way due to any lack of foresight on my part. You, Your August Person, used to be acquainted with Wormwood, and you are well aware of what a nincompoop he was. I am pleased to state that our current group of tempters is made of much stronger stuff, and as a result, we have been victorious in our struggle against the Enemy for the past few decades. One simply has to look around the world to see this.

However, the matter of "The Screwtape Letters" (as they have come to be known) is a source of great distress to me personally, and I do not hesitate to state that I am willing to accept any punishment that Our Father deems appropriate. It is, however, gratifying to note that the human race, in its infinite stupidity, has not taken these letters seriously. In fact, they are described as a "humorous novella"! One only has to visit the Goodreads website to see that even those committed to the Enemy are lavishing praise on it! So, in my humble opinion, we need not worry too much about this.

One more thing. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Your August Person and other similar dignitaries of the Lowerarchy on the new method of subversion that is working so effectively on humanity: that of transforming the love of the Enemy into hatred of all those who do not subscribe to that particular version of the Enemy! Humanity is truly too stupid to understand that Love is the Enemy (even though they display posters to that effect all over, as a platitude) and that Hatred is Our Father. Why the Enemy loves these idiots and wants them to achieve eternal happiness is truly a mystery!

Your Obedient Servant
SCREWTAPE.

For some reason, this particular work simply wasn't my cup of tea.

I had been quite certain that I would enjoy it immensely. Perhaps the main reason for my disappointment was that my expectations were completely different from what I actually received.

I had thought that it would be more along the lines of a scathing criticism of modern society, delving deep into the various issues and flaws that plague our world today. However, to my surprise, what I got instead was a glorification and blatant propaganda of Christianity.

As an atheist, I found it extremely difficult to relate to most of the writer's conclusions. It felt as if the entire narrative was centered around a belief system that I do not adhere to.

Nevertheless, I must admit that there were a few shiny moments within the text that managed to catch my attention. These brief instances provided a glimmer of hope and showed that there was some potential within the work.

Overall, I can only give this piece two stars, mainly due to those few redeeming qualities.