Rating: 
Summary: Joss Ackland's "Screwtape" certainly tempts, but ....
Review: This audio version of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS is the third one that I have listened to (the first being a version released by Audio Forum [I don't remember the reader, but I remember that his "Screwtape" dictated his letters into a tape recorder and that this version began with actual sounds of Hell!] and the other being John Cleese's inspired reading. While I am the first to say that Joss Ackland is a superb actor and that his "Screwtape" is an excellent reading, I cannot say that his reading keeps me as rivetted as the Cleese version. Mr. Ackland gives his "Screwtape" a superbly oily and unctuous voice (perfect for a Senior Tempter and Undersecretary of Department of Hell!) and his reading is in itself excellent, but I also have to say (as a Voice Actor myself) that Mr. Ackland is primarily a Stage Actor and not a Voice Actor and his performance does not really ensnare the listener. Still, he does very well, he gives some good emotional nuances to his "Screwtape" and there's absolutely no doubt that he is thoroughly enjoying himself in the role.Since the Cleese version is mostly out-of-print, then I will recommend the Ackland version, but be SURE that you choose the UNABRIDGED version; after all, THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS should be heard in its entirety!
Rating: 
Summary: Crazy Devils
Review: This was a wonderful book by C.S. Lewis giving an insight to what it must be like to work for the prince of darkness. In this masterpiece you are reading letters from a devil named Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood who is rather young and inexperienced at the whole game of tempting and leading ones sould to hell. Screwtape tries to teach Wormwood some of the most effective ways to tempt a person but it also seems that he is leading the young villan astray. These are letters of hypocricy and deciet and quite frankly letters that will make you step back and evaluate your own life. I would highly recommend this to anyone whether you are looking for a mere story to read or if you are looking for deep insight as to ways you can better yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Unique, cherished, kaleidoscopic
Review: Do you want to understand the strengths and weaknesses of human beings? Do you want to understand what makes other people tick? Do you want to be a better person? Do you not want to be a better person, but want to know why you don't care? Get this book and read it over and over again. It is that good.
Rating:
Summary: A Devil of a Tale
Review: Although C.S. Lewis published 'The Screwtape Letters' in 1942, its theme is every bit as appropriate today. A collection of correspondence from a veteran devil to an apprentice demon, the learned counsel for debasing virtue is all too commonplace in practice today. The corruption of language has been articulated by many social critics over the past decade to so, but Mr. Lewis referenced this nascent technique sixty years ago. The experienced devil, Screwtape, seems to be embracing modern day parlance when he brags about the word 'Puritanism' taking on its pejorative status. 'The value we have given to that word is one of the really solid triumphs of the last hundred years; by it we rescue annually thousands of humans from temperance, chastity and sobriety.' Today we often hear the cant that one religion is as good as another, and saying a certain religion is true will elicit terms like discrimatory or judgmental. While most churches advocate truth and righteousness, a lack of loyalty to one is not a positive development and Screwtape was knew this to be true. He waxed, 'if a man can't be cured of church, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighborhood looking for a church that suits him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.' He was especially fond of churches that change to meet current demand and praised a church where 'the vicar is a man who has so long engaged in watering down the faith to make it easier for a supposedly incredulous and hard-headed congregation that it is now he who shocks his parishioners with his unbelief.' Often Mr. Lewis's healthy sense of humor is artfully displayed. An exasperated Screwtape writes desparigingly that one mortal is 'not only a Christian such a Christian--a vile, sneaking, simpering, demure, monosyllabic, mouselike, watery, insignificant, virginal, bread-and-butter miss. The little brute, she makes me vomit.' Throughout the fantasy, a bounty of real advice is present. Simple tidbits such as Screwtape's simple statement that 'the safest road to hell is the gradual one' should serve as a tocsin for many readers. With wit, ingenuity, reverence, and jocularity, C.S. Lewis created a timeless classic to exhort the ages.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent - and Cleese is the perfect Screwtape!
Review: I have listened to this book about once a year for the past 8 years. Always a pleasure, always a laugh, and always a bit uncomfortable, as Lewis's instructive wit shows me places where I am thinking myself quite wonderful, when I am actually conducting myself quite selfishly. This book on tape is out of print, and the new reader is nowhere as entertaining or ravenous as John Cleese. Find a copy if you can!
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: C.S. Lewis: Tough Reading, and Tough Lessons
Review: C.S. Lewis is an awesome writer, both with fiction and non-fiction. In the Screwtape Letters, as you already know, Screwtape is writing letters of advice to Wormwood, about how to tempt and otherwise pervert the ways of his "patient". It can be tough, grueling reading at times, but it so perfectly illuminates the sinful side of everyone...and can be an indicator of what NOT to do!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This book brings to light the bible verse "the road to heaven is narrow, the road to hell is broad".
Rating:
Summary: Thank You C. S. Lewis!
Review: I just finished the book. I have definitely learned alot and their is so much food for thought here. THis guy has truly meditated on Christianity and life in general and what a interesting and entertaining way to deliver a philosophical and theological discourse. I loved it. I made me laugh and made me think. Lewis is a scholar and this is my first from him and I would have really wanted to sit down with this man and ask him his views on a great many things that I face and struggle with. Mostly I want to say that I have thought alot on most of the issues that he addresses in this book over the years but yet I can not ever say that I actually saw things the way he does. Never with such clarity and tenacity for getting down to the bare bones and reoccuring themes quite like he does. I will keep this book and read it again through the years and definitely get more C.S. Lewis. THis man is saying things that I have never thought before. Wish I could talk to him.
Rating:
Summary: Very enlightening and honest
Review: This really cleared up many, many questions I had about God. I think about it alot.
| 
