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challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love that I finally got around to reading this, because I've heard it referenced my whole life, but I never knew the context was completely different than what I assumed! Screwtape and Wormwood are protagonists, yes, but they are what Christians would consider "bad guys." This explains, perhaps, why I have never fully understood quotes from the book until now.
That being said, it was very interesting, to be sure. In general, I'm not certain that I believe (or rather, that the Bible supports) that one evil being and his minions are taunting us daily. When I first started the book, I thought this would be a huge problem for me, but as it turns out, I read it mostly as a very cool allegory. So it wasn't an issue at all! However, as usual with CS Lewis' works, I find myself not being able to rate it higher than I have because of some of the outdated viewpoints I just can't get in line with. For example, while there are point of view and the fact of MMC's to consider, the way this paints women is quite sexist. Additionally, as I have expressed before, I don't support Lewis' view of love. I think he had some strange ideas about partnership, especially before getting married later in life.
The outdated views aside (what I took the half point for), this really is brilliant and quipy. The idea of it in and of iteself is original, but the execution is great, as well. I pulled plenty of interesting quotes and concepts on godliness from this one.
I give Joss Ackland 5/5⭐'s. He has that sinister narration down pat.
That being said, it was very interesting, to be sure. In general, I'm not certain that I believe (or rather, that the Bible supports) that one evil being and his minions are taunting us daily. When I first started the book, I thought this would be a huge problem for me, but as it turns out, I read it mostly as a very cool allegory. So it wasn't an issue at all! However, as usual with CS Lewis' works, I find myself not being able to rate it higher than I have because of some of the outdated viewpoints I just can't get in line with. For example, while there are point of view and the fact of MMC's to consider, the way this paints women is quite sexist. Additionally, as I have expressed before, I don't support Lewis' view of love. I think he had some strange ideas about partnership, especially before getting married later in life.
The outdated views aside (what I took the half point for), this really is brilliant and quipy. The idea of it in and of iteself is original, but the execution is great, as well. I pulled plenty of interesting quotes and concepts on godliness from this one.
I give Joss Ackland 5/5⭐'s. He has that sinister narration down pat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, War
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Classism
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War
Obviously this book is about demons trying to get a man to do evil, so there's lots of mind games and disparagement
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I seem to be on a C.S. Lewis kick recently.
The Screwtape Letters is an odd little book that takes the form of a series of letters from a middle-management demon (Screwtape) writing to his nephew (Wormwood), giving him advice as to how best to tempt an unnamed human man into sin and disaster.
Although the story itself is obviously fictional, the book bridges the gap between novel and treatise on Christian living, offering a variety of thoughts on everyday Christian philosophy ("how should we live day to day?" questions rather than "why does evil exist?" ones) through the lens of "what not to do". Although I might not agree one hundred percent with every conclusion offered, I found the writing and format to be a witty and engaging way to deliver some solid food for thought.
I will say that the book probably loses a lot of its charm if you're not a Christian of some flavor, or at leas familiar with and sympathetic to that worldview. I'll also say that the book is best taken in small doses, it's not the kind of thing that you binge-read.
My copy contained a sort of mini-sequel that Lewis wrote for a magazine called "Screwtape Proposes a Toast". Although this was okay, it didn't live up to the standards of Screwtape Letters proper and was a bit of a drag to read.
Overall, though, a fun and unique way to get a bit of spiritual guidance while enjoying a chuckle or two.
The Screwtape Letters is an odd little book that takes the form of a series of letters from a middle-management demon (Screwtape) writing to his nephew (Wormwood), giving him advice as to how best to tempt an unnamed human man into sin and disaster.
Although the story itself is obviously fictional, the book bridges the gap between novel and treatise on Christian living, offering a variety of thoughts on everyday Christian philosophy ("how should we live day to day?" questions rather than "why does evil exist?" ones) through the lens of "what not to do". Although I might not agree one hundred percent with every conclusion offered, I found the writing and format to be a witty and engaging way to deliver some solid food for thought.
I will say that the book probably loses a lot of its charm if you're not a Christian of some flavor, or at leas familiar with and sympathetic to that worldview. I'll also say that the book is best taken in small doses, it's not the kind of thing that you binge-read.
My copy contained a sort of mini-sequel that Lewis wrote for a magazine called "Screwtape Proposes a Toast". Although this was okay, it didn't live up to the standards of Screwtape Letters proper and was a bit of a drag to read.
Overall, though, a fun and unique way to get a bit of spiritual guidance while enjoying a chuckle or two.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death, Alcohol, War, Classism
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, War