Book Synopsis:
A masterpiece of satire, this classic has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life from the vantage point of Screwtape, a senior tempter in the service of "Our Father Below." At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C. S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging and humorous account of temptation—and triumph over it—ever written.
Now, for the first time, The Screwtape Letters is presented with its full text alongside helpful annotations provided by Lewis enthusiast and dramatist Paul McCusker. The notes include literary, theological, and biographical information to enhance Lewis's core themes and demystify complex ideas. McCusker also guides readers to concepts and references from the beloved author's other treasured volumes to deepen and enrich this timeless classic. The annotated edition is the ultimate guide for understanding the heavenly truths buried in these epistles from below.
My Review:
5/5 stars. This book was just as amazing as I expected. It's a classic piece of Christian literature that I had never gotten around to reading until now. It was at times unsettling, funny, convicting, and evocative. The special annotated edition I read also enhanced the experience by giving context to certain phrases and ideas. The book wasn't too long, so I got through it in only a few days.
Being a Christian, I have known about this book for years but wasn't interested enough to read it. However, after reading just three of the letters in a class this past semester, I loved them and knew I wanted to read the rest. I was planning on just borrowing it on Libby, but then I saw a beautiful, annotated edition and knew I had to have that one.
Seeing Christian ideas from the opposite perspective was so interesting, but it was also very unsettling and uncomfortable at times. Seeing phrases such as "he is now safe in Our Father's house" and knowing it's talking about Satan is chilling. This annotated edition gave some background and said that C. S. Lewis actually had a very hard time writing it for that same reason. It's one thing to read from the perspective of a demon, but to actually write from it is another.
Like I already mentioned, a word I would use to describe this book is "evocative." There were so many good ideas that were brought up, and many things that I highlighted because they really made me think. Some of the letters were less evocative than others, but it was all still very good. Similarly, it was also convicting for me a few times. With things like prayer and what C. S. Lewis called spiritual pride, this book made me reflect on some things in my own life and heart.
As far as the actual narrative of the book, I was rooting so hard for the patient. I wanted him to not succumb to temptations. I was so happy at the end of the book when he died a Christian, slipping through the demons' grasp. It seems backwards to root for "the Enemy" in a story, but when "the Enemy" is God, it makes sense.
Finally, the version I read included a kind of sequel short story, called Screwtape Delivers a Toast. This was more confusing to me and not as interesting, but I still liked parts of it.
Content:
Language: Godd*mn
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Talks of how the demons eat each other, talks of bombings and air raids during war
Drugs/Alcohol: None
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