by Eliana Linz

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• Date Reviewed: Mar 2024

• Book Reviewed: “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis

• Number of Pages:  208

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Screwtape’s Letters, by C.S Lewis, is a brilliant book that enlightens Christians to sinful behaviors that they might not have noticed about themselves before reading this book. Written in the form of letters from one older, more learned devil to a younger, less experienced one, Screwtape counsels his nephew, Wormwood, on how to tempt his “patient”, a young man who isn’t sure which way he wants his life to go.

I especially love the way that C.S. Lewis describes Screwtape’s hatred of God, whom he refers to as ‘The Enemy’ and the various ways that God has made Screwtape lose his patients. As the New York Times Book Review said,

“C.S. Lewis is the ideal persuader for the half-convinced, for the good man who would like to be a Christian but finds his intellect getting in the way.”

The only part of the book that I find a little misleading is when Screwtape refers to a “Limbo” in which people unfit for heaven or hell are placed. There is no Limbo in Scripture; each person will either stay in Heaven or Hell for eternity.

Also, at the end of Screwtape’s Letters, there is a short addition to the story called “Screwtape Proposes A Toast”, in which all the devils are at an end-of-year banquet and Screwtape is the Guest of Honor. I would definitely recommend reading that section too, as it is also very informative on the ways in which devils lead humans astray.

The Screwtape Letters is a helpful, informative book, and I would recommend it to any Christian who is unsure about their faith or how temptation really works. I hope it will assist anyone who needs it, and that God will minister to the person through this book.

He certainly has done so for me!

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