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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
"The Screwtape Letters" by: C. S. Lewis, is a book that will touch any person’s life that is struggling with temptation, it will help Christians understand the Devil, and it is done in a very sophisticated way. I do not recommend this book to someone that is struggling with their relationship with God; however, this is a very good book that describes the ways of the Devil in great detail and truly helped my life as a Christian. This novel lets you enter the mind of a senior Devil, lets you see what he does to manipulate you, and then you reflect on how the Devil has done these things in your life. When Screwtape discusses worry, it really hit my heart hard; I have been struggling with worry my whole life and when I read that the Devil uses it to his advantage—I realized that I needed to let all of my worries go to God. For my whole life, I have not understood the way the Devil works, but this book (even with its use of sophisticated diction) has let me understand how the Devil works. The Devil uses the things around us to steal our soul—and my whole life, I had thought that he would almost possess us… This book can explain to everyone at least one way that they have been tempted in the past, as the novel describes almost every way that the Devil uses us. C. S. Lewis uses very sophisticated diction in "The Screwtape Letters" and when you read it, you should keep a dictionary beside you, as there are words that are most likely not familiar to you. The sophisticated tone in the novel lets you see that the Devil is someone that is very serious about his work. Because of this, you can see how serious he is about trying to tempt you, and therefore puts you in a position of high risk of being tempted. C. S. Lewis wrote this book very well and it helped me understand the ways of the Devil that I wouldn’t have got from the "Bible". This book is a necessary for all Christians that have a good relationship with Christ to read, as it will improve your relationship with God and will give you a greater fear of the Devil. However, if you do not have the best relationship with God, do not read this book, as the Devil could use it to his benefit.
Wow, this could have been a narrative about today. I find it hopeful history repeats vs all being lost.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
on a reread this is still my favorite Lewis - many call-outs and things to reflect on, and put in such a way you can't help but think about them. also it's funny at points.
I tried reading this as a teen and hated it- revisited it now and wow, holds up a mirror to humanity. I’m not even for the Christianity, but Lewis’ warnings are kinda universal- beware false modesty, temptation, yada yada. It seriously gets in-depth and presents some solid psychology, just lags a bit at the end I think. No action whatsoever, bizarre style, but it works well as a way for Lewis to make his points- it just isn’t a typical novel or anything, the entire story is dulled in having it be alluded to and not shown directly. Once again, that was the intent, it works, it just may not be for everyone as a result. It wants you to consider what screwtape is saying about the man’s life, not to actually follow the unnamed human or anything. So it’s a rather unique approach compared to anything I’ve read, once again it does work, but it ain’t light or exactly gripping.
This book was very thought provoking. The writing/wording took a lot of brain power for me to follow, but I enjoyed it all the same.
I would have liked to end it with the resolution of the man’s life, though. The addition of Screwtape’s toast at the end made me feel quite sad with its accurate a portrayal of our world today, and a large part of me wishes I hadn’t read that portion. If I had stopped where Wormwood had failed and the man was received by angels into heaven, I would have been much more satisfied.
I would have liked to end it with the resolution of the man’s life, though. The addition of Screwtape’s toast at the end made me feel quite sad with its accurate a portrayal of our world today, and a large part of me wishes I hadn’t read that portion. If I had stopped where Wormwood had failed and the man was received by angels into heaven, I would have been much more satisfied.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this as an Atheist with the goal of learning a bit about popular Christian literature and possibly deriving some moral lessons I hadn't considered. In terms of moral lessons, there were some which were worth contemplating and some good quotes, but there was also a lot of needless repetition which made it a slog to read. I'm sure if I was a Christian it would be a lot more profound, because then I would believe this book contains mostly timeless moral truths. Nonetheless, I got through it and made notes the whole way through, which certainly expanded my vocabulary and understanding of Lewis's PoV on the Christian lifestyle. My favourite quote from the book is: "The more often he feels without acting, the less he will be able to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel"
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
World building: it is absolutely startling how well done Lewis has captured the spiritual world of those against God and His creation +++++
Characterizations: Screwtape doesn't have an arc but it is wise concerning the evil he advices Wormwood, whereas Wormwood's blundering is fully realized without ever being rendered before the reader beyond Screwtape's response ++++
Plot: The plot is of a demon advising a spirit on how to create various temptations in a man assigned to the spirit; the results are not at all plot oriented given the story focuses instead on the story's themes and world building +++
Pacing: +++
Themes: Various themes under the umbrella of religious morals: sexuality, marriage, sins, morality, temptations, good versus evil, "the good and better or the bad and worse", hypocrisy, cowardice, war, violence, ect; what makes these conversations so interesting is that they are written from the perspective of "the other side" of standard convictions for such things +++++
Prose: written in the framing device of letters written by Screwtape to respond to unseen letters by Wormwood; believable, interesting, great use of using showing to tell +++++
2.25/5
This was an impulsive pick, and I regret it -- and not because of it's Christian messaging. It's a creative concept, and it was beautifully written -- but it was too simple. I wished it had unpacked the more complicated and grey nature of the smaller "temptations" that come up for Christians.
This was an impulsive pick, and I regret it -- and not because of it's Christian messaging. It's a creative concept, and it was beautifully written -- but it was too simple. I wished it had unpacked the more complicated and grey nature of the smaller "temptations" that come up for Christians.