I have just completed my eighth reading of this work.

It is better than ever and truly one of Lewis's finest creations.

I also recall reading it on 11/23/18, 1/2/13, 4/30/11, 8/12/03, in 1997, 1992, and 1990.

Each time I return to this piece, I discover new depths and nuances that I may have overlooked before.

Lewis's writing is so engaging and thought-provoking that it never fails to captivate me.

Whether it's the vivid characters, the intricate plot, or the profound themes, there is always something to appreciate and analyze.

I look forward to many more readings in the future and continue to explore the wonderful world that Lewis has created.

It is the remarkable writer who has the ability to blend effective satire with the profundity of religious philosophy. C.S. Lewis appears to be precisely such a writer, as he manages to engage the reader in a thought-provoking discussion on every single page. This particular work is a collection of letters, penned by a senior devil named Screwtape to his less experienced nephew, Wormwood, who is eager to master the art of luring a man to the side of evil. Screwtape, drawing on his vast experience, imparts to Wormwood the intricate details of winning over a soul and the subtleties of doing so without detection.

The process of corruption is a complex one that demands patience and determination. It requires a deep understanding of how to decipher the elements of prayer, devotion, and love that humans often turn to when they expose their emotional and spiritual lives. Armed with this knowledge, the devious being can entice the subject towards evil and encourage them to spread the message to others. Once this is understood, a more in-depth discussion about the need to infiltrate the fundamental emotions expressed in church becomes central to achieving success. This is followed by the most challenging discussion of democracy and how it is undermining the ease of corrupting others.

Screwtape closely monitors Wormwood's progress, at times commending him but never hesitating to criticize when the job is not done well. With the future of the world's souls hanging in the balance, there is no time to waste. Will Screwtape be able to transform his nephew into a fearsome new fiend? Or will Wormwood find the task too overwhelming and be drawn towards the 'evils of purity'? These letters tell a captivating story that holds the attention of all those who read them. It is an interesting piece of tongue-in-cheek writing from a bygone era, yet it has timeless relevance for today's sinful society. It is recommended for those who can appreciate the humor in religious indoctrination and its satirical downfalls, as well as for fans of C.S. Lewis's work.

\\"The Screwtape Letters\\" is truly a remarkable treasure of wisdom. It is a series of letters written by the worldly-wise old devil, Screwtape, to his young tempter nephew, Wormwood. Reviewing this classic feels rather strange. Instead, I will simply refer to a few quotes that made me pause and think, \\"hmmmmm...\\".

One quote states, \\"When two humans have lived together for many years it usually happens that each has tones of voice and expressions of face which are almost unendurably irritating to the other... Let him assume that she knows how annoying it is and does it to annoy—if you know your job he will not notice the immense improbability of the assumption. And, of course, never let him suspect that he has tones and looks which similarly annoy her.\\" This quote offers an interesting perspective on human relationships and how we can misinterpret each other's actions.

Another quote is, \\"Humor is for them the all-consoling and (mark this) the all-excusing, grace of life. Hence it is invaluable as a means of destroying shame....almost anything he wants to do can be done, not only without the disapproval but with the admiration of his fellows, if only it can get itself treated as a Joke.\\" This highlights the power of humor and how it can be used to manipulate and distort our values.

Finally, the quote \\"As one of the humans has said, active habits are strengthened by repetition but passive ones are weakened. The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.\\" emphasizes the importance of taking action and not simply allowing our emotions to control us. Whether you are a Christian or not, C.S. Lewis' insights into the general human condition are truly astute. And, yes, I do feel the inevitable weight of guilt.

4 Stars for The Screwtape Letters (audiobook) by C.S. Lewis read by Ralph Cosham.

I must say that I found this audiobook truly interesting. It offers a unique perspective on religion and society that is both thought-provoking and engaging.

C.S. Lewis has crafted a remarkable work that delves deep into the spiritual realm, presenting the ideas and strategies of a senior devil, Screwtape, as he advises his nephew, Wormwood, on how to tempt and corrupt a human soul.

Ralph Cosham's narration adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the story. His voice brings the characters to life, making it easy for the listener to immerse themselves in the narrative.

Overall, I would highly recommend this audiobook to anyone interested in exploring the themes of religion, morality, and the human condition. It is a captivating and enlightening listen that will leave you with much to think about.

Whether you are a believer or not, The Screwtape Letters offers valuable insights into the nature of good and evil and the eternal struggle between them.

So, if you're looking for a unique and engaging audiobook, give The Screwtape Letters a try. You won't be disappointed.

**The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis**

The Screwtape Letters is a remarkable Christian apologetic novel penned by C.S. Lewis and dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien. It is presented in a satirical, epistolary style. Although fictional in format, it effectively addresses Christian theological issues, mainly those related to temptation and the resistance against it.

The book consists of 31 letters. In these letters, a senior demon named Screwtape writes to his nephew, Wormwood (named after a star in Revelation), a younger and less experienced demon. Wormwood is charged with guiding a man, referred to as "the patient," towards "Our Father Below" (the Devil/Satan) and away from "the Enemy" (God).

After the second letter, the "patient" converts to Christianity, which angers Screwtape. This leads to a conflict between Wormwood and Screwtape. Wormwood wants to lead the patient into horrible and vile sins, sometimes going to great lengths in this endeavor. However, Screwtape advises him to be more cunning in tempting the patient. In the twelfth letter, Screwtape writes, "The safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."
The Screwtape Letters was first published in 1942 and has since become a classic. It offers a unique perspective on the battle between good and evil, and provides valuable insights into human nature and the forces that influence our choices.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in Christian theology, literature, or the exploration of the human condition.

Fantastic book!

C. S. Lewis' first "novel" (actually Pilgrim's Regress was first but it's a rather oblique allegory). It was and still is a best seller. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to both Christians and non-Christians alike. It is truly full of (yes, I know it's a cliché, but here it's just undeniably true) "wit and wisdom".

As you read, you'll recognize yourself and everyone else you've ever known so well. You'll encounter situations that are all too familiar from everyday life. I highly recommend it!

This is probably my second favorite novel by Lewis, right after The Great Divorce. It definitely rates up there on my list of favorite books of all time.

Okay... did you get that I really like it? :)

This book is a truly remarkable one. It is a collection of letters from the devil to his demons.

These letters offer a unique and disturbing perspective on how evil manages to be perpetuated within society.

As we delve into the pages of this book, we are exposed to the devious plans and strategies that the devil and his minions employ to spread chaos and corruption.

It makes us question the very nature of good and evil and how easily evil can infiltrate our lives and the world around us.

The vivid descriptions and the insights provided in these letters serve as a wake-up call,提醒 us to be vigilant and to constantly strive to resist the forces of evil.

This book is not only a fascinating read but also a thought-provoking exploration of the darker side of human nature and the society we live in.

This book is so wonderfully done that it is an absolute must-read again!

The author has crafted a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

The writing style is beautiful and flows smoothly, making it a pleasure to read.

I found myself completely immersed in the world that the author has created and didn't want to put the book down.

This is definitely a book that I will be recommending to all of my friends and family.

It is a true gem and I can't wait to read it again.

This is one of those old favorites that has stood the test of time.

I find myself revisiting Screwtape and Wormwood every few years. It's like a necessary reminder for me, a way to keep myself in check. You know, to always be looking over my shoulder, staying wary and vigilant in this complex world.

This wonderful piece was introduced to me by my dear mother during my high school years. That fact alone probably holds a lot of significance! Ever since then, I've been haunted by it. I can't help but imagine the conversations that might be taking place about me and all the things I've done (or not done) throughout my life.

After so many reads, I feel that Screwtape and Wormwood are, if not true friends, at least congenial associates. And sometimes, in this busy and often lonely world, that is as good as one can get, isn't it?

Without a doubt, this deserves 5 stars. Any book that I've re-read that many times is truly a gem and worthy of the highest rating.

C.S. Lewis is truly a font of wisdom, and that wisdom is presented in this book in an incredibly accessible and entertaining manner.

As I read it both this year and last, there were numerous "aha" moments that simply blew my mind. The letters dedicated to the topics of suffering and pleasure were particularly well-written.

What makes this book truly special is the unique perspective from which it is told. It offers insights and perspectives that you won't find elsewhere.

If you're looking for a book that will both educate and engage you, then I wholeheartedly recommend this one. It's a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the deeper questions of life and finding wisdom in the process.

Trust me, once you pick up this book, you won't be able to put it down.

People live in time, but the Enemy assigns them to eternity. This means, I believe, that His desire is for them to focus primarily on two things: eternity as such and that moment of time which they call the present. Because the present is precisely the point where time meets eternity. The human experience of the present moment, and only it, is analogous to the way the Enemy embraces reality in its entirety; it alone offers them freedom and manifestation in act. His thought, then, is to keep them constantly preoccupied either with eternity (that is, with Himself) or with the present - either meditating on the eternal union with Him or on the perpetual separation from Him, either listening to the present voice of conscience, carrying their cross from the present moment, receiving the grace in the present, raising praise for the present gratitude. Our task is to take away from their sight both the eternal and the present. For this purpose, we sometimes choose to push one or the other to live in the past. Only that here the resources are limited, because they all have a drama of true knowledge of the past, and it, being completed and fulfilled, resembles eternity. It is much better to encourage them to live in the future. The biological need makes all their passions already aim in that direction, so that the thought of the future feeds their hope and fear. Also, the future is unknown to them and, therefore, by making them think forward, we make them fill their minds with illusions. In a word, among all things, the future is the least like eternity. It is the most entirely temporal part of time - because the past has frozen and no longer flows, and the present is still illuminated by eternal rays. Hence our encouragement and support for schools of thought such as evolutionism, scientific humanism or communism, which orient human affections towards the future and thus imbue them with the essence of temporality. Therefore, almost all the vices of people draw their origin from the future. [...] Surely the Enemy also wants people to think about the future - but only as much as is necessary to plan now the acts of justice or kindness that are, perhaps, their duty for the next day. The duty to plan the work of tomorrow is a duty of today. Although the basic material is borrowed from the future, the duty, like all duties, exists in the present. But we split the thread too finely. What He does not want is for people to bet their souls on the future, to strive towards it and to give themselves to it. And that is exactly what we want. The ideal, for Him, is the man who, after working all day for the good of posterity (if that is his vocation), removes from his mind any thought related to his deeds, entrusts everything to heaven and immediately returns to the patience or the due recognition of the present moment. On the contrary, the exemplary for us is the individual harassed by the future - tortured by visions of an imminent heaven or hell on earth - ready at any time to violate in the present the commands of the Enemy if, by doing so, we make him understand that he will more easily step into the first or will avoid the second; an individual who depends in his belief on the success or failure of projects whose end will remain forever unknown to him. Our dream is an entire nation that constantly chases after the end of the rainbow, never honest, good or happy now, but piling up all the real gift obtained in the present at the foundation for the altar of the future.

We must continue to push them towards this false hope, making them believe that the future holds all their desires and salvation. Let them be so obsessed with the future that they forget the importance of the present and the reality of eternity. This way, we can keep them in our clutches and lead them further astray from the truth.

This is my first encounter with a book by C.S. Lewis outside the renowned Chronicles of Narnia Series.

I aimed to diversify my reading list with good, pure, and inspiring Christian literature.

Consequently, I decided to explore the works of Lewis and searched for an e-book.

Fortunately, I managed to find one online, and thus I began with The Screwtape Letters.

The Screwtape Letters is a collection of letters penned by Screwtape, a senior demon, to his nephew and novice tempter, Wormwood.

These letters detail the various methods to tempt a newly converted Christian, referred to as "Patient", with the goal of ensuring the "Patient's" eternal damnation in hell.

In this book, C.S. Lewis attempts to describe the spiritual battles between Christians and the forces of evil from a unique perspective.

Initially, I felt discomfort when Lewis referred to God as "the Enemy" and Satan as the "Father", as a child of God, I know the opposite to be true.

However, when considering it as a literary work, this aspect is indeed the essence of the story and what makes the book special to me.

I truly cannot help but admire Lewis for his wisdom and creativity.

After reading the book, I was enlightened and reminded of several important truths about God.

Firstly, God loves us and desires that none of us perish, but rather have eternal life with Him.

He sent His Son to die for us and pay for our sins, as stated in John 3:16.

To obtain eternal life, we must accept Jesus into our lives and believe that He is our Lord and Savior.

By dying on the cross, He redeemed us and provided forgiveness for our past, present, and future sins.

Secondly, God promised that for those who receive Jesus, He gives the right to be called His Children.

No one can separate us from His love, and thus our salvation through Jesus is assured and cannot be taken away from us, not even by Satan.

Thirdly, Satan only desires to steal, kill, and destroy.

He is like a lion constantly prowling for prey, ready to devour at any moment, so we must always be on guard.

He will attempt every possible means to make us turn away from God.

Fourthly, God promised us victory.

What Jesus did on the cross is complete, and because of that, we are victorious in Christ.

We have the power to win any battle, including spiritual battles with the real Enemy.

Therefore, we must not lose hope and stand firm in our faith that God has already given us a holy life through Jesus, and all we need to do is live it and refrain from doing things that are not pleasing to Him.

This book provides examples of seemingly insignificant unpleasant things that can ultimately lead to our destruction, as the devil knows how to manipulate our thoughts, so we must be extremely careful.

Fifthly, the best way to defeat the Enemy is to surrender all our battles to God through prayer and petition.

The Bible states in Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

This passage continuously came to my mind while reading the book.

This book simply aims to emphasize that we need to recognize that just as Heaven is real, so is Hell, and Satan exists.

He is constantly seeking potential "recruits" and deceiving people by planting various lies in our minds to prevent us from turning to God.

However, God is loving and gracious.

He will never let His children fall if we remain in Him.

God desires all His children to be reunited with Him in eternity, but unfortunately, not everyone can go to heaven because not everyone has accepted the Truth.

He gave us free will to choose how we will live our lives on earth.

So, in every moment and every action of our lives, we are presented with two options: to do His will or to follow our own will?

We must choose wisely because one may lead to the highway to hell.

If you are seeking a book about living a Christian life, then I highly recommend this one.

However, living a holy life according to God's standard can only be achieved if we continuously strive to know our Creator and Savior more through reading His written Word.