Goodreads | The Screwtape Letters & Screwtape Proposes a Toast (Time Reading Program Special Edition) by C.S. Lewis

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C. Benjamin rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

09/28/07

bookshelves: have-read

Read in January, 2002

recommends it for: The impressionable

Here's the thing. I think that C.S. Lewis was an intelligent man with a gift for writing, which in itself would merit several "stars" on some internet scale. I think that this book, however, is complete and total bollocks. Not because it's poorly written, or unimaginative, but because I think that it perpetuates and makes "understandable" an assumption that I think is as dangerous as it is a cop out: that we are all glorified meat puppets at the mercy of an all-loving God ...more

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MelissaS rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

01/22/08

Read in August, 2002

recommends it for: Everyone

I love this book - it really makes you think. For those who have not read it, the book is written as a compilation of letters from a "tempter," Screwtape, to his nephew, a "junior tempter" named Wormwoood. In the letters, Screwtape gives Wormwood adivce and counsel on how to best tempt his "subject" - a young man who converts to Christianity, and then falls in love with a Christian woman. Through the letters, you are constantly reminded and made to think about ho...more

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Joanie rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

10/10/07

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: anyone who's not afraid of the truth

It's great to read fiction that gives you a punch in a gut! It's not often a book will hold up a mirror to you and show you some things you'd rather not see. The Screwtape Letters was that book for me.

Every Christian needs to get a hold of this book and read it through! It's helped me gain a deep understanding of how the forces of darkness try to undermine joy and truth. I'd especially recommend it to readers new to C.S. Lewis, as this is a good sample of his writing and a good place to star...more

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Ginnie rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652934)

12/19/07

bookshelves: religion

recommends it for: ever wanted to hear the devil?

This refers only to the AUDIOBOOK, not the paperback. i obviously don't know how to get the goodreads computer program to believe me. Any smart friends willing to take me in hand?

This is a great John Cleese recording that is just how I imagined Screwtape sounding.
This adaptation of C.S. Lewis's biting satire received a 1999 Grammy nomination for best spoken-word performance, and it's easy to see why--the story fits the format perfectly. It's relatively brief (the unabridged reading take...more

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Keely rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

05/06/08

bookshelves: fantasy, humor

Read in May, 2008

If not for the fact that this is a satire in earnest, it would serve as a powerful absurdist invective against humanity. There is a degree to which this book helped to improve my view of Christians in general, but only in the sense that it points out that all the faults which I have found in your average Christian are often just as powerful in the uncommited person, the Christian just tends to make themselves more conspicuous in it.

The sharp weapon of Lewis's rhetoric tears down humanity thr...more If not for the fact that this is a satire in earnest, it would serve as a powerful absurdist invective against humanity. There is a degree to which this book helped to improve my view of Christians in general, but only in the sense that it points out that all the faults which I have found in your average Christian are often just as powerful in the uncommited person, the Christian just tends to make themselves more conspicuous in it.

The sharp weapon of Lewis's rhetoric tears down humanity through all the self-righteous hubris, denial, misdirected hopes, and easy mistakes we pile upon ourselves in masochistic suffocation. 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 man, but this perfect representation of Christian values seems mostly defined by a lack of any description of philosophy, excepting that it is 'suffused' by some sort of magical glow which infects the cat. Indeed, I began to get the impression that Lewis intended to fill in this section later, but that he never got around to it.

Lewis said that the writing of this text was one of the most painful that he had with any book, 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 and elucidates the failures of mankind but when he comes to express what makes him or his faith any different, he cannot find anything to say.

The 'suffusing glow' then becomes a stand in for Lewis's own righteousness, but it is not difficult to see that, in a book where Hubris and self-assuredness are constantly torn down, that self-righteousness is left with little to stand in.

Along with this, Lewis often presents a very advanced knowledge of rhetoric and human behavior but it oddly deficient in that he applies the same things to one side and then the other first as a positive, and then a negative.

For example, the book begins with the demon advising that humans shoud 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.

However, later on Lewis begins to talk about how the Christians should make sure to follow what is 'natural', without ever defining what that is. He mentions it several times and one is left with the sense that there is little distinction between 'natural life' and 'real life'.

This can hardly surprise, as Lewis maintains a philosophy of Duality. Dualitism 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.

The problem with this is that if one believes morality more complex than black and white, then it is not enough for him to simply say he is better or different than those who so deeply disappoint him.

That being said, it would still be refreshing to meet a Christian who had put as much thought and work into at least attempting to understand and explain themselves. Indeed, this book has reminded me that it is rare enough to find that in or out of religions. 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....less

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Beth rated it:

(review of isbn 0684831171)

07/28/08

Read in July, 2008

I’ve had good intentions of getting around to reading this C.S. Lewis classic for a long, long while now; it’s been sitting on my shelf for years. Since I've been without a library card for a couple weeks, I finally picked it up and began to read in earnest.

As I started reading, I couldn’t figure out why I’d found the book so cumbersome before. The chapters were contained to small, manageable installments; the book itself is a short volume, a little over a hundred pages (plus with t...more I’ve had good intentions of getting around to reading this C.S. Lewis classic for a long, long while now; it’s been sitting on my shelf for years. Since I've been without a library card for a couple weeks, I finally picked it up and began to read in earnest.

As I started reading, I couldn’t figure out why I’d found the book so cumbersome before. The chapters were contained to small, manageable installments; the book itself is a short volume, a little over a hundred pages (plus with the article “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” tacked on to the end of this edition). And the technique in which the thoughts are explained: brilliant.

First of all, you have the unique point-of-view. Screwtape, the character mentioned in the title, is an experienced devil. Yup, that’s right — devil. It’s his job to go tempt ordinary mortals (like you and me), to keep us from getting close to “the Enemy” (God). This interesting perspective takes some getting used to, but it is nevertheless pretty straightforward — just requires that you keep from going on auto-pilot while you’re reading. Lewis describes this voice as “diabolic ventriloquism”:

Screwtape’s outlook is like a photographic negative; his whites are our blacks and whatever he welcomes we ought to dread.

Secondly, the voice of Screwtape comes via letters to his nephew, novice tempter Wormwood. Though we have no words from Wormwood himself (or any direct references regarding the new Christian convert that Wormwood is assigned to deter), the reader can easily surmise his situation based on Screwtape’s references.

While C.S. Lewis is writing from a fictional perspective (devils going to tempting school and writing letters to one another is his own invention, of course), the insights he gives are profound. We know what we should do to return to live with God; how, then, do we get tripped up so easily? Well, Screwtape outlines plenty of methods here, and it’s not even a comprehensive list! I was reminded of the scripture in which King Benjamin says:

And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them (Mosiah 4:29).

Still, most of those different sins seem to come back to a singular premise: distancing ourselves from God, usually by some subtle distraction. I came across this quote from July 5’s Church News last week that harmonized with the message of The Screwtape Letters:

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve said that even though the Lord’s teachings are plain and direct, “We are still at risk of getting sidetracked. Some people choose to follow the teachings of the Lord and of His living prophet only when convenient, and reject them when sacrifice or deeper commitment is required. Some fail to follow only because His divine teachings do not agree with their own preconceived notions.

“We get sidetracked by submitting to temptations that divert us past the bounds of safety. Satan knows our weaknesses. He puts attractive snares on our paths at just those moments when we are msot vulnerable. His intent is to lead us from the way that returns us to our Heavenly Father.” (October 1990 general conference)

I found the message of the book to be both uplifting (yes, really — a book about devils, uplifting!) and insightful. Worth looking into....less

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Andrew rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652934)

08/16/07

Read in April, 2006

this review first appeared on intraspace.blogspot.com

cs lewis strikes again! not that i should be surprised, he is widely regarded as one of the best christian writers of the 20th century.

this book is the record of letters sent by senior demon screwtape to his nephew wormwood. wormwood is on assignment trying to turn a new christian away from God. the more experienced screwtape gives advice to the young demon. this in turn give...more

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Stephanie rated it:

(review of isbn 0006280609)

04/04/07

Read in January, 1996

recommends it for: Searchers who can take it

Let me preface by saying I do not follow any one religious path. I'm a searcher, and I'm not sure if I'll ever settle on one faith. That said, The Screwtape Letters, an intense rumination on good and evil, as told through the letters of one demon to another, is a work I feel everyone should read, if to do nothing but understand the true nature of evil. I'll admit, I picked up the book because I thought a tale told by a demon would be kind of cool... sexy in a dark fun kind of way. The experience...more

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Lisa rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652934)

07/04/07

Read in June, 2007

recommends it for: everyone

This was my first C.S. Lewis book - I kept meaning to read the Narnia Chronicles, but never got around to it. Now I'm completely addicted to his writing, and plan to read many more of his books.

The Screwtape Letters is written from the perspective of an advanced demon (Screwtape), writing to his nephew, Wormwood. It takes a minute when you start the book to wrap your brain around the point of view - but once you realize what i...more

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Bagger rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

09/12/07

bookshelves: nonfiction

Read in October, 2007

I have read this book twice before but after my worship pastor mentioned a quote that I had forgotten in one part of the book Wormwood writes his uncle Screwtape with great fear that his subject has begun going to church, his uncle quite easily assures him that the best thing to do is keep him in church, but keep him proud of the fact that he always attends the services or sits in the same area, as long as Wormwood keeps him in the building and away from God.
I think Lewis is one of those autho...more

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Samuel rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

12/18/07

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: everyone

This book really opened my eyes to the ways Satan tries to entrap people into sinning. Some sins were rather obscure, but most were very common that I myself am struggling with. I just realized that I do have a choice no matter what happens and that is all that counts. Once you no longer desire to do evil, you win, Satan loses. That is the adventure in this story. Screwtape and Wormwood, the tempters, are finally thwarted when the Christian, their subject, dies in righteousness (from what I...more

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Wendy rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

09/21/08

Read in September, 2008

I didn't particularly enjoy this book but am glad that I read it. In fact, at times the book made my skin crawl. For those who have not read it, the book is written as a bunch of letters from a tempter, Uncle Screwtape, to his nephew, a tempter in training, named Wormwoood. Screwtape tutors Wormwood on how to tempt the "patient" he is assigned. Through the letters, you are constantly reminded and made to think about how the adversary tempts us. What is poignant is that the cunning an...more I didn't particularly enjoy this book but am glad that I read it. In fact, at times the book made my skin crawl. For those who have not read it, the book is written as a bunch of letters from a tempter, Uncle Screwtape, to his nephew, a tempter in training, named Wormwoood. Screwtape tutors Wormwood on how to tempt the "patient" he is assigned. Through the letters, you are constantly reminded and made to think about how the adversary tempts us. What is poignant is that the cunning and evil plans are not centered around obvious sins, that so often are what we think about when we think about temptation and sin. Instead, the tempters focus on much more subtle sins such as vanity, pride, distraction,insincerity, forgetting or being too tired say prayers,and how these can achieve the same goal as the more obvious sins which is ultimately to lead us away from God. That's how cunning and evil the devil is. He knows that by chipping away a little at a time he has a better chance at gaining us as his own.

You cannot read this book and not think of how pertinent it is to your life. It was a little frightening to find myself in the book as someone who has succumbed to some of these suttle temptations (many times). Perhaps thats why I didn't enjoy the read but still found it very insightful.

I found this "Beatitudes" in someone elses review (Jenelle) and thought it was great so I copied it from her review to mine. Really hit it home for me.

Screwtape Counterfeits
1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians — they are my best workers.
2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked — I can use them.
3. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church — they are my missionaries.
4. Blessed are the trouble makers — they shall be called my children.
5. Blessed are the complainers — I'm all ears to them.
6. Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes — for they get nothing out of his sermons.
7. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church — for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.
8. Blessed are those who gossip — for they shall cause strife and division that please me.
9. Blessed are those who are easily offended — for they will soon get angry and quit.
10. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God's work — for they are my helpers.
11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister — for he shall be with me forever.
12. Blessed are you who, when you read this, think it is about other people and not yourself — I've got you too!
...less

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Jennelle rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652934)

03/10/08

Read in September, 2006

This book is very interesting. Two Devils: Screwtape (a learned Devil) and Wormwood (a devil in training)are writing letters back and forth to each other on the best tactics in capturing a human soul. C.S. Lewis claimed that "the book was distasteful to write, and he vowed never to write a direct sequel" I think it was distasteful for him to write because he must have felt that he was thinking like the adversary. It really makes you stop and think. It's a fairly quick read. I was in...more

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matt rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

02/28/08

bookshelves: fictions-of-the-big-it, won-t-read-again

Read in April, 1998

I'm not a big fan of Clive Staples Lewis, either of his writing or his philosophy. I wouldn't even really commend the book's principles....it does quite a bit to make one think that the entire world is a paranoid conspiracy run by ACTUAL satanic beings, trying with their every effort to sabotage one's mind.

Like, there's a part when the senior demon reminds the novice demon that a good place to be able to get a foothold into someone's thoughts is to infiltrate them while they're minding ...more

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Danielle rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652934)

02/13/08

bookshelves: danielle-recommends, fiction, my-favorites

Read in July, 2005

So intelligently written-- C.S. Lewis sees right through you and highlights your every human foible and self-justification through the eyes of a "junior tempter." Such an inspiring book, though. You finish it with the feeling that despite our many weaknesses, good can conquer evil in the most trying battle--that of our countless daily choices between little sins or being a little better.
I love this book for the way it helped me see that even mundane decisions matter. No matter how sm...more

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Melissa rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

04/01/08

bookshelves: classic-literature

Read in March, 2008

recommended to Melissa by: Michael J. Teh, general authority who quoted it in General Confe
recommends it for: my family

My favorite thing about this book is that it is so fun to talk about with others that have read it. It is a book that will be worth reading again and again and learning something new about myself each time I read it. I am coping a review from MelissaS from CT. I just copied it because it is exactly what I'm thinking and I don't see the need to repeat the work.

"I love this book - it really makes you think. For those who have not read it, the book is written as a compilation of letters...more My favorite thing about this book is that it is so fun to talk about with others that have read it. It is a book that will be worth reading again and again and learning something new about myself each time I read it. I am coping a review from MelissaS from CT. I just copied it because it is exactly what I'm thinking and I don't see the need to repeat the work.

"I love this book - it really makes you think. For those who have not read it, the book is written as a compilation of letters from a "tempter," Screwtape, to his nephew, a "junior tempter" named Wormwoood. In the letters, Screwtape gives Wormwood advice and counsel on how to best tempt his "subject" - a young man who converts to Christianity, and then falls in love with a Christian woman. Through the letters, you are constantly reminded and made to think about how the adversary tempts us. What is truly excellent about the book, though, is that the cunning plans are not centered around obvious sins, that so often are what we think about when we think about temptation and sin. Instead, the tempters focus on much more subtle forms of sins - vanity, pride, distraction, insincerity, forgetting God, and how these can achieve the same effect as more obvious sins ... to lead us away from God. Ultimately, the tempters in this story do not care what sins are committed by their subjects - so long as they accomplish their goal of separating people from God, and leading them to the adversary. In fact, they seem to prefer the more subtle means of leading people astray, as they sense that this is a more hidden and thus secure way to accomplish their ultimate design.

You cannot read this book and not think of how extremely pertinent it is to your life. C. S. Lewis has thought deeply about the things we do each that lead us away from God, and he articulates them very well. As you read the book, you are in a constant introspection of your own life, and the things that are put before you daily that lead you away from what we all desire - a close, personal, consistent, and deep relationship with God, that leads to happiness now and the hereafter. I love this book!"

...less

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Kipi rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

01/06/08

bookshelves: read-in-2008, religion

Read in January, 2008

recommended to Kipi by: Allan Stanglin
recommends it for: All believers

I picked up this book because Allan is always referring to it, and I thought it would be easier to have an intelligent conversation about it had I actually read the book. Now I can say that I wish I had read it years ago. It is an easy read on the surface, but there is so much more to it. Lewis was a brilliant writer, and this book, written from the perspective of an "Under Secretary" tormentor, will make the reader view his/her life and Satan's work in the world in a whole new way. Th...more

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Rachel rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

01/18/08

Read in November, 2002

(written 11/02)

This was basically a big game of reversing everything around to the perspective of a devil, who delights in our demise. The premise was exciting, even in letter form, but I quickly tired of it. Lewis's staunchly Christian viewpoint is very well-argued (though still not enough to convince me of the actual existence of hell & it's "devils," even metaphorically). I found the following quotes fun to roll around in my brain though.

praying "not to what I think ...more

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Megan rated it:

(review of isbn 0060652896)

08/27/08

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in May, 2008

I sometimes got really bogged down in the language (C.S. Lewis is significantly smarter than me, obviously) but really enjoyed it overall. I feel like I learned a lot about myself by reading this book. To me, whether or not there are actual "demons" standing over my shoulder is a little bit irrelevant. The things I do that are un-christian and self-sabotaging could be put there by a devil or they could be my own inventions, but either way they are getting in the way of what I really...more

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Jeremy rated it:

(review of isbn 0684831171)

06/02/08

bookshelves: christian

Read in June, 2008

recommended to Jeremy by: Chris Page
recommends it for: new Christians especially, but any Christian

Although the language in this book can sometimes be difficult to understand (it's somewhat dated, and, well, British), its principles are timeless. This book is especially good for a new Christian.

The book is written from the point of view of a senior demon giving advice to a junior demon about how to win the souls of humans for Satan. The tactics are especially chilling when one realizes that they can be seen in his or her own life. Nevertheless, the perspective from which the book is writ...more

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The Screwtape Letters & Screwtape Proposes a Toast (Time Reading Program Special Edition)

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The Screwtape Letters & Screwtape Proposes a Toast (Time Reading Program Special Edition)

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