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3.31k reviews for:

The Screwtape Letters

C.S. Lewis

4.12 AVERAGE

funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

For starters, this book wasn’t what I expected it to be, though that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it. When I first heard about this book, it was marketed as a humorous series of advisory letters from Screwtape, a higher level administrative demon, to his nephew Wormwood, a ‘Tempter’ out in the field of London during the 1930s and 40s. Now, The Screwtape Letters were entertaining, but they are also largely a discussion about God, Christianity and human nature. And, despite being told from the viewpoint of a demon, Lewis’s intense Christian faith definitely shines through. Everything that Screwtape sees as white, Christians see as black, as this duplicity of sight is encouraged whilst reading the book. It was interesting from that standpoint, but was just a little bit too preachy for me… Nonetheless, for anyone interested in Christianity and its God, or who enjoys a bit of reverence disguised as the utmost irreverence, this just might be the book for you. Very enlightening.
dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I absolutely love this book! Decided to revisit with the dramatized version by focus on the family radio theatre. They were smart to have Andy Serkis (who played Gollum in Lord of the Rings) his ability to have his usual deep gruff voice and use range to express Screwtape: Teaching, advising, belittle, and chastise his nephew he tries (not as much towards the end..) to have his “subject” secured to as they describe “Secured to their father’s house below.”

This is the closest I like to horror, just the music, the sounds while reading along to C.S. Lewis original book gives me goosebumps! My favorite quote (sorry I posted quite a bit already today is his closing statement to Wormwood.

“All that sustains me is the conviction that our realism, our rejection of all silly nonsense and claptrap, must win in the end. Meanwhile, I have you to settle with. Come to me wormwood, Come and embrace your increasingly and ravenously affectionate Uncle.”

*Evil laugh gets loud and echo as it fades away*
dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I absolutely love this book! Decided to revisit with the dramatized version by focus on the family radio theatre. They were smart to have Andy Serkis (who played Gollum in Lord of the Rings) his ability to have his usual deep gruff voice and use range to express Screwtape: Teaching, advising, belittle, and chastise his nephew he tries (not as much towards the end..) to have his “subject” secured to as they describe “Secured to their father’s house below.”

This is the closest I like to horror, just the music, the sounds while reading along to C.S. Lewis original book gives me goosebumps! My favorite quote (sorry I posted quite a bit already today is his closing statement to Wormwood.

“All that sustains me is the conviction that our realism, our rejection of all silly nonsense and claptrap, must win in the end. Meanwhile, I have you to settle with. Come to me wormwood, Come and embrace your increasingly and ravenously affectionate Uncle.”

*Evil laugh gets loud and echo as it fades away*
challenging dark reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Rereading for Icon 5/25/20
funny reflective medium-paced
challenging funny inspiring reflective 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
reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A creative and clever way to dig into theology and the general human condition. There's a lot of food for thought in here and opportunities to reflect on your own life. 
challenging dark lighthearted reflective slow-paced