I was definitely creeped out by this one, but that's the point.

It wasn't just a momentary feeling of unease; it was a deep-seated sense of discomfort that lingered.

Moreover, it also left me thinking about all of the ways I'm letting the devil into my brain.

I started to analyze my thoughts, my actions, and my choices.

Was I being too lenient with myself? Was I allowing negative influences to take hold?

This book really made me question myself and my beliefs.

You'll come away from this book feeling convicted for sure.

It has the power to make you confront your inner demons and face the truth about yourself.

Whether you're a believer or not, this book is a thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

This book is a classic for a reason.

The reversal of perspective it presents is truly captivating and interesting.

It allows the readers to see the story from a completely different angle than they might have expected.

This unique approach not only adds depth and complexity to the narrative but also engages the readers on a whole new level.

As they turn the pages, they are constantly surprised and challenged by the unexpected twists and turns that result from this reversal of perspective.

It makes the reading experience not only enjoyable but also thought-provoking, as it forces the readers to reevaluate their own assumptions and beliefs.

Overall, the book's use of the reversal of perspective is one of its most significant strengths and a major reason why it has become a classic.

This is my very first non-Narnia work by C.S. Lewis. And let me tell you, boy oh boy, did I truly need this hot pile of cynic trash (in a non-derogatory sense) right at this moment.

The Devil is indeed just a fallen angel, and I firmly believe that these letters were precisely what I required post-election to analyze the human condition and our country's strange yet intentional union with Christianity. It lives up to its timeless quality (perhaps because it was penned during a time of ambiguity very similar to this one). But Lewis' words truly leaped off the page and straight into my heart. It has been quite some time since I've paused and read a paragraph aloud to someone in my vicinity because it is simply that good and others need to hear what I am assimilating as well. It will definitely be a reread and a marked-up copy. I just wanted to soak it all in this time around.

Anyway, it got me out of my reading slump. Five stars!

Really quite thought provoking.

This simple statement holds a great deal of weight. It implies that there is something worthy of deep consideration and reflection.

When we encounter an idea or a situation that is thought provoking, it has the power to challenge our existing beliefs and perspectives. It makes us question what we know and forces us to look at things from a different angle.

Thought provoking experiences can come in many forms. It could be a book, a movie, a conversation with someone, or even a moment of quiet introspection. They have the potential to expand our minds and make us more open to new possibilities.

In a world that is constantly changing, being able to think critically and be open to new ideas is essential. Thought provoking experiences can help us develop these skills and become better equipped to handle the challenges and opportunities that come our way.

So, the next time you come across something that is really quite thought provoking, take the time to explore it further. Let it inspire you to think differently and grow as a person.

Let me preface by saying that I do not adhere to any particular religious path. I am a seeker, and I'm uncertain if I will ever decide on a single faith. That being said, "The Screwtape Letters" is a profound meditation on good and evil, presented through the letters of one demon to another. I firmly believe that everyone should read this work, if only to gain an understanding of the true nature of evil.

I'll confess that I initially picked up the book because I thought a story told from the perspective of a demon would be rather cool... perhaps even alluring in a dark and enjoyable way. However, the experience of reading it was far from what I expected. It was completely captivating - far superior to mere entertainment. It accomplished what the greatest books always do; it broadened my perception of the world around me. It imparted something that I have carried with me ever since. A precious, yet somewhat terrifying knowledge.

My copy included a foreword that disclosed that C.S. Lewis had to recuperate from writing it. After reading and reflecting on his work, I now understand why.

I firmly believe that in "The Screwtape Letters," Lewis achieves his greatest success in presenting a detailed roadmap for the journey that a new Christian is bound to undertake once they have initially welcomed Christ into their lives. This path is filled with numerous obstacles that they may not even be aware are more widespread than they think.

From the early chapters, Screwtape's most profound observation描绘了上帝如同一位父亲，他希望新基督徒“学会走路，因此必须放开他的手，只要真正有走路的意愿，即使他们挣扎，上帝也会喜悦”。上帝通过各种“迹象”让前不信者认识并感受到他的存在，将他们引向自己，然而就在基督徒开始相信时又撤回这种存在的现象，我曾确信这只是我个人经历中的异常情况。但刘易斯在这里将其描述为上帝对新信徒惯用的手段，让他们沉浸在他的存在中，然后在他们开始认为自己可能真的孤单，且他们初现的热情可能只是安慰剂时，让他们自己去理解信仰的意义。

在这本书中，有很多很多次，我惊叹于刘易斯对新信徒精神变化的详细描述。他们渴望摆脱以前态度和幽默中的轻浮，以及对那些仅仅能满足却似乎永远无法带来真正满足感的快乐的渴望。对基督徒信仰中“低谷”和“高峰”的描述也让我深感触动。但也许最重要的是，我对斯克鲁奇的承认感到欣慰，即当一个人真正将自己交托给上帝时，他实际上并没有放弃那些造就他的东西。因为上帝只希望基督徒摆脱他们所执着的顽固的“自我意志”，一旦他们摆脱了这种意志，他们实际上会变得更加真实的自己。

通过刘易斯温暖的幽默和精心的散文来吸收所有这些见解是一次很棒的体验，《魔鬼家书》应该被每一个基督徒阅读，尤其是新信徒。

Read at least twice up to 2007 and again aloud in 2022. Shockingly insightful each time.

This simple statement holds a world of meaning. It implies that the text being referred to has such depth and significance that it can be read multiple times over a span of many years and still offer new and profound insights.

Perhaps it is a classic piece of literature, a philosophical treatise, or a scientific study. Whatever it is, it has withstood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers.

The act of reading aloud in 2022 may have added an extra layer of understanding. Hearing the words spoken aloud can bring out nuances and subtleties that might have been missed when reading silently.

It also shows the power of literature and knowledge to endure and evolve. Even as the world around us changes, certain texts remain relevant and continue to offer valuable lessons and perspectives.

In conclusion, this statement serves as a reminder of the importance of reading and re-reading great works of literature and other texts. It encourages us to engage with them deeply and to keep an open mind, ready to discover new insights and perspectives each time we read.

I just finished reading this witty and profound classic for the umpteenth time.

This edition includes "Screwtape Proposes a Toast," a deeply satiric short piece (but long toast) written much later. Its centerpiece appears to be an attack on the English system of education. However, I was surprised to read, in a note at the beginning, that his real target was the American system of education.

If I could be so bold as to summarize what I think is the main message, it would be this: Modern Western education attempts to prove how democratic it is by dragging everyone down to the same mediocre level.

"The democracies were surprised lately when they found that Russia had got ahead of them in science," Screwtape tells younger devils acidly in this essay from the Sputnik era. "What a delicious specimen of human blindness! If the whole tendency of their society is opposed to every sort of excellence, why did they expect their scientists to excel?" This thought-provoking statement makes us reflect on the current state of education in the Western world. Are we truly promoting excellence or simply aiming for a false sense of equality by dumbing down standards? It's a question worth considering as we strive to improve our educational systems and prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead.

Once again, I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book.

The story it tells is engaging and captivating, drawing me in from the very beginning.

However, I must admit that some of the language used within its pages caused me to reduce the rating from a perfect five stars to a still very respectable four stars.

This, I believe, is mainly due to the fact that I am an American reading this book in 2018.

The cultural and temporal differences might have made it a bit challenging for me to fully appreciate certain aspects of the language.

Nonetheless, the overall quality of the book remains high, and I would still highly recommend it to others.

Despite the slight dip in the rating, it has managed to leave a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more works by the same author in the future.

Well, that took forever to read.

I'm truly glad that I read this book. Each time I picked it up, I was faced with a challenge. I found myself having to translate what the text was saying, which was both frustrating and interesting.

It presented an interesting viewpoint that made me think. However, I think I'll stick to C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia series. It's a bit more of an enjoyable read for me.

The Narnia series has always captured my imagination with its magical worlds, memorable characters, and exciting adventures.

While this other book had its merits, the Chronicles of Narnia hold a special place in my heart and I look forward to rereading them again and again.

I just don't like it.

Might have something to do with unrelenting heaviness.

Lewis is one of the greats, and I get that.

Perhaps the timing was off.

Does that ever happen to you?

A book is good, and you know it is good, but you just aren't in a place to welcome it?

I actually had to stop reading this one; it bothered me that much.

Maybe it was the mood I was in when I started reading.

Or perhaps the subject matter was just too intense for me at that moment.

Whatever the reason, I couldn't get past the feeling of being weighed down by the story.

I tried to push through, but it just wasn't happening.

I know that others have loved this book, and I'm sure it has its merits.

But for me, it was a miss.

Maybe I'll give it another try at a different time.

But for now, I'm moving on to something else.

This book is a remarkable collection of letters penned to a "junior tempter" named Wormwood by his Uncle Screwtape. As you embark on the journey of reading, you'll uncover the strange and often captivating relationship between the uncle and nephew, along with a fictional yet vivid portrayal of the demon (or tempter) world.

Beyond the entertainment value, you'll also glean valuable insights from Lewis' unique perspective on spiritual warfare. If you've delved into other non-fiction works by Lewis, you'll notice common themes, but here they are presented in a harsher and more dissonant tone. What Lewis typically deems as vile is presented as desirable, and what he lauds is described as revolting. The "god" of the tempter's world is referred to as "Our Father Below", while the one true God is simply called the "Enemy". This aspect is perhaps the most startling and may take a few chapters to acclimate to.

After the book's publication, Lewis shared his thoughts on the writing process. He admitted that while it was easy to adopt the diabolical attitude, it was far from enjoyable. The strain caused a sort of spiritual cramp, and the world he had to project himself into through Screwtape was filled with dust, grit, thirst, and itch, devoid of any beauty, freshness, or geniality. It nearly suffocated him before he completed the task.

Fortunately, we don't have to inhabit this world as Lewis did during the writing of the book. We simply get to visit it. And if you're planning such a visit, be prepared for a truly unique experience that is both comically entertaining and seriously profound. It will undoubtedly change your perception of sin, temptation, and spiritual warfare. Moreover, it will make you smile, which, in my opinion, is an essential part of effective spiritual warfare. As Luther said, "The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him, for he cannot bear scorn."

Coming from Luther, I understandably approach this with caution. However, I believe he is right. I think there is a way to laugh at Satan without being arrogant or frivolous. After all, we're not laughing at our own joke. We're laughing at a joke that has been circulating since the resurrection. So, if some of our more severe brethren accuse us of being too flippant about something so serious, we can respectfully and accurately direct them to Colossians 2:15 and say, "Hey, don't look at me. Jesus started it."