Rating: 
Summary: A different look at the definition of evil
Review: A previous reader called this book "shallow"... it's hard to believe that anyone would describe anything C.S. Lewis has written as shallow! This is a wonderful book that has such a unique way of describing evil and how it creeps into our everyday lives and actions.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: C.S. Lewis really doesn't need praise anymore for his writings, but for anyone who hasn't heard about this book I'd like to say it's wonderful. It presents temptations that we all face in a very creative way. Unfortunately, I could relate to many of the situations. It's a wonderful read and humorous at times.
Rating:
Summary: A devil of a book
Review: Entering the world of demons, gives perspectives from a darker side of religion. Mentor Screwtape instructs his devilish nephew, Wormwood in ways to lure people from God. The Screwtape Letters is creatively and intelligently written. C.S. Lewis definitely captivates his audience on every page. There is such realism in human nature within this work that I found myself relating, feeling at times embarrassed and even laughing at myself.
C.S. Lewis is a master at writing, not only captivating the imagination, but also stirs the reader to think and explore their own character.
A devil of a book.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I have read this book several times over the years and each time I've been really blessed. It really opened my eyes to the constant Spiritual warfare going on in the world. As a Christian, it really gave me an insight into ways that the enemy attempts to discourage or confuse Christians and pull them away from the Lord.
Rating: 
Summary: Shallow, mundane, boring...
Review: I read this book as it was so highly recommended and revered. The premise being that a greater devil is giving advice in the form of letters to a lesser demon on how to tempt a mortal human into sinful ways. The lesser devil is always unsuccesful and receives more advice. I found this book to be EXTREMELY shallow. I have found more spirituality and philosophical truths in Dr. Suess' works. I thought the writing lacked in so many ways and felt that it was addressing the audience as if it were mentally retarded. There is nothing new said in the book and it is presented in such a manner that I felt I was "talked down" to. This book was a complete waste of my time.
Rating:
Summary: An enlightening, though not pleasant, read
Review: In the foreword C.S. Lewis notes that this book was not fun to write. I would argue that it is not fun to read, either. You are likely rechecking how many stars I rated this book, and yes, I meant to give it 5. I regard it highly because this book forces us to see how in even this simplest of things we can be neglecting God. While it is not enjoyable to hear about how even the simplest things one does can hurt others, or play into the hands of evil, it is highly valuable. Don't expect to smile as you read this book, but expect to learn more about yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious satire
Review: Lewis' demon, Screwtape, uses this book to advise his nephew in the fine art of corrupting a man's soul. The advice is clear and detailed: turning healthy pleasures into vices, prohibiting clear and rational thought, encouraging divisiveness over any issue or none at all, and lots more. It's a proven plan which, unfortunately, sometimes fails. Despite every distraction, excess, and false trail, some people still reach a higher plane.
This wonderful book is written from a strongly Christian point of view. No, Lewis does not propose any literal reality for these allegorical demons, but he clearly points out the human weaknesses that so often expand and crowd out the valid and valuable parts of life. In fact, this book need not be taken from a Christian standpoint at all. Whatever morality and ideals you hold to, they are under the same kind of attack as Lewis' Christian virtues.
This book is quite enjoyable in itself. It's even better as an introduction to Lewis' other work, especially his space trilogy (Perelandra, Out of the Silent Planet, That Hideous Strength). Those books play out the human strengths and weaknesses that Lewis isolates here.
This really will help thinking readers take stock of themselves. I know it points out my room for improvement. I recommend this very highly.
//wiredweird
Rating:
Summary: C. S. Lewis at his best...
Review: One of the best, and most influential, Christian authors of any time, C. S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" is a compelling, and chilling, fictional look at what goes on behind our back in the demonic spirit world.Screwtape, an upper level demonic spirit, often writes his subordinate, Wormwood, a demonic spirit assigned to misguide and misdirect a human on earth. The letters explain to Wormwood how he would best accomplish his mission of keeping the human our of the Enemy's (God's) hands and ensure that when he dies he goes straight to blazes. What is most chilling about "The Screwtape Letters" is that, even after all of these years, how much a person can see of themselves in them. Letter after letter seemed to be talking about me directly. Time and time again I saw one demonic trap after another I had fallen into being explained in a letter. I have to caution you, however. This book is not an easy read. C. S. Lewis did not attempt to write a book that everybody could understand. You will probably have to spend some time re-reading many letters and looking up words in your dictionary and/or concordance for a better understanding of what is being said. This can become quite frustrating, but when you are able to break through and understand a letter you will be able to see how it can apply to your own life. If you were ever interested in getting a better understanding of how the Enemy and his demonic spirits work, this is a great book to do it with. But be warned: you will learn something about yourself in the process.
Rating:
Summary: Corruption is Hell's only option.
Review: That's the initial impression of this book which is on my list of all time favorites. A series of letters between Screwtape, an undersecratary, and his nephew Wormwood, an apprenctice tempter in charge of securing the damnation of a young man. The "story" takes place during the second world war with the young man being a young englishman.
The book is so well written because we're given insites to his own life, his own realistic experience, which make what Screwtape is advising that much more haunting. Everything from the man's relationship with his mother and his work to his relationship with his girl are given time.
Screwtape regularly rakes his nephew over the coals for asking stupid questions he should know the answers to or just for being to naive.
In the intro to the book Lewis says that nothing Screwtape says can be taken to seriously. That is most clearly seen when Screwtape talks about how when God wouldn't reveal the reason why he was making the "human vermin," "Our Father Below" ceased his support of "The Enemy" and removed himself a great distance from him resulting in that ridiculous story that he was "forced" out of Heaven. A lot of what Screwtape talks about is how to corrupt what God has already created. Things like prayer and even going to church are attacked.
My two favorite lines:
"The truth is that whenever a man lies with a woman, there, whether they like it or not, a transcendental relation is set up between them that must be eternally enjoyed or eternally endured."
"He made the pleasures: of of our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures which our enemy has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees, which He has forbidden."
After the Letters are over, there is also a prolonged speech in which Screwtape dispenses advice on how politics can be used. It shows many of things that plauge our society. How we don't encourage acheivement in a the larger sense.
This is my favorite book because of the satirical nature of the book that's as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
Rating: 
Summary: Temptors
Review: The Screwtape Letters are a unique perspective on Christianity in that the faith is seen through the eyes of those who have given their soul to Satan. It is interesting to think of the faith from the perspective of those trying to undermind it.
Uncle Screwtape mentors Wormword, through a series of letters, in Wormword's attempt to make his "patient" fall away from the faith. Through Screwtape's letters, we see a broad range of topics discussed including coming to faith, life in the faith community, love and sex, and other ideas on life. These topics make interesting reading when discussed from the perspective of how to fail in your faith.
The Screwtape Letters at times are a tedious read as nothing really happens in the story. The good thing is that it is a short read. It never hurts to think a little more about your faith.
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