The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Screwtape Letters
Book Review: A Mirrored Presentation of Lewis' Theology
Summary: 4 Stars
The Screwtape Letters primarily covers Lewis' theology of virtue. The dark, wry humor in Screwtape's letters to his nephew Wormwood works well as a framing device for what is largely a series of essays on temptation and virtue. There's no real plot as such and Wormwood's target is never more than a cipher, as Screwtape would hardly have cared, but doing otherwise - perhaps with letters from Wormwood as well - would have been a different book. This one works remarkably well, funny and thoughtful.
It is flawed, though; Lewis dismisses some things too carelessly when they conflict with his own thoughts. A bit more ambiguity from Screwtape would have suited the work, particularly when he treads outside of the central conceits of the book. Screwtape Proposes a Toast, included at the end of the book, suffers from this particularly; showing a broader aim rather than the temptation of a single person, it veers into the political. Screwtape's musings work more effectively in other matters, though they remain entertaining to the end.
Book Review: Minus two stars for being incomplete.
Summary: 3 Stars
In older editions of this book, there's a fascinating preface by Lewis in which he talks about, among other things, his view of the nature of demons and angels and how they have been mis-portrayed in popular art and literature. That preface is not included in this edition.Book Review: THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by C. S. Lewis
Summary: 5 Stars
The Screwtape Letters is Lewis's classic collection of diabolical correspondence. In it, a senior devil gives continued advice to his prot?g? on how best to tempt his victim and keep him from salvation.
Lewis does not propose any concrete doctrine on devils here, and this is not his point. Rather he focuses on highlighting the ways, both large and small, that Christians are distracted from God. Lewis explores the dangers of not being purposeful toward God and life, as well as what happens to people when they give in to temptation.
The book is presented as a collection of letters, all from Screwtape to Wormwood. But Lewis does a good job of making the conversation not feel one-sided, and he does a fantastic job with the devils' personalities. In fact the book is rather deeper than this, as there are two other plots going on. First is the fate of Wormwood's man. Second is the relationship between the devils, and the fate of Wormwood.
The Screwtape Letters is deeper than it appears, and is thoroughly thought-provoking. Most every reader will find elements in it to which he or she can relate. Christians of all maturity levels can benefit from this book.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Book Review: THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by C. S. Lewis
Summary: 5 Stars
The Screwtape Letters is Lewis's classic collection of diabolical correspondence. In it, a senior devil gives continued advice to his prot?g? on how best to tempt his victim and keep him from salvation.
Lewis does not propose any concrete doctrine on devils here, and this is not his point. Rather he focuses on highlighting the ways, both large and small, that Christians are distracted from God. Lewis explores the dangers of not being purposeful toward God and life, as well as what happens to people when they give in to temptation.
The book is presented as a collection of letters, all from Screwtape to Wormwood. But Lewis does a good job of making the conversation not feel one-sided, and he does a fantastic job with the devils' personalities. In fact the book is rather deeper than this, as there are two other plots going on. First is the fate of Wormwood's man. Second is the relationship between the devils, and the fate of Wormwood.
The Screwtape Letters is deeper than it appears, and is thoroughly thought-provoking. Most every reader will find elements in it to which he or she can relate. Christians of all maturity levels can benefit from this book.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Book Review: THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS by C. S. Lewis
Summary: 5 Stars
The Screwtape Letters is Lewis's classic collection of diabolical correspondence. In it, a senior devil gives continued advice to his prot?g? on how best to tempt his victim and keep him from salvation.
Lewis does not propose any concrete doctrine on devils here, and this is not his point. Rather he focuses on highlighting the ways, both large and small, that Christians are distracted from God. Lewis explores the dangers of not being purposeful toward God and life, as well as what happens to people when they give in to temptation.
The book is presented as a collection of letters, all from Screwtape to Wormwood. But Lewis does a good job of making the conversation not feel one-sided, and he does a fantastic job with the devils' personalities. In fact the book is rather deeper than this, as there are two other plots going on. First is the fate of Wormwood's man. Second is the relationship between the devils, and the fate of Wormwood.
The Screwtape Letters is deeper than it appears, and is thoroughly thought-provoking. Most every reader will find elements in it to which he or she can relate. Christians of all maturity levels can benefit from this book.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED