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The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis, is an intense book. I would not say it is his best work, simply because of how difficult it may be to get through, but once again C.S. Lewis gives an incredibly perceptive and thought-provoking account of an other-worldly experience that somehow feels like its happening today. The plot is that Screwtape, a demon of Satan, is writing to his nephew on how to tempt a man to stray from following Christ. In the beginning, he’s simply telling his nephew how to keep the man from becoming a Christian in the first place, but when that fails, he gives ways to keep him from growing stronger in this new faith. Eventually, however, he is trying to tempt the Christian away from the church in general, and the final conclusion is of the last verbal battle before, after, and during his death, which has a surprising meaning to some about what the concept of death in general. It’s written in such a realistic voice as to convince you that there must really be someone out there writing these letters, and it’s amazing how you see your own character flaws when reading this book. That might tend to frustrate some people because you would have no idea how to win some of these mental battles that you never even realized you were having, but Lewis squeezes in the same breath of condemnation an opportunity to rectify it. I would recommend the book to anybody because even if not a Christian, the moral problems that are attacked, as well as the philosophical issues, are still relevant in every day lives. However, the book itself was not the short read its visual effect would insinuate, because although it is relatively short, every concept is so deep and thought provoking it actually takes much longer than some longer novels might. It’s really about whether or not you are looking for a light or deep read, and how much time you are willing to put into it.
Review by: Chelsea Grimmer
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