This month I’m taking part in RainbowCatcher’s Infertility Bloggers Book Club (technically I’m not infertile, but I think going through fertility treatment and a miscarriage qualifies me). The idea is simple: each month we read at least one book we’ve never read before, then post a review of it on a set day. For October I’ve chosen to read C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, an epistolary novel set during the Second World War.
The book takes the form of a series of letters between Screwtape, a senior devil in Hell, and his nephew Wormwood. Wormwood’s job is to tempt and corrupt a man known only as “the patient”, but he is inexperienced and fairly incompetent. Most of Screwtape’s letters follow the same pattern: he starts by chastising Wormwood for his mistakes, during which the reader learns a little about what has happened in the patient’s life, and then he offers Wormwood guidance and advice – most of which Wormwood seems to ignore.
Very few details are given about the patient: we know that he lives in England, works in an office and is unmarried, but little else. He is definitely an ‘everyman’ character, and the novel is heavily didactic. I don’t think Lewis’ aim is to convince us that we each have a personal devil doing their utmost to make us do evil, but rather to highlight the traps that humans – especially Christians – can fall into while believing ourselves to be good. As Wikipedia points out, there is a stark contract between Wormwood, who wants to tempt the patient into extreme wickedness and probably corresponds to most people’s idea of a demon, and Screwtape, the more experienced devil, who aims to confuse and corrupt in more subtle ways and says that “the safest path to hell is the gradual one”. (Why, yes, I do tell off my students for referencing Wikipedia.)
In retrospect, I should probably have chosen some lighter reading while coming to terms with pregnancy loss. I wanted to seriously consider each of Lewis’ points and take them on board, but often found myself unable to concentrate. This is a book I will probably read again when life is less of a struggle.
Mama, Interrupted 
I like the Screwtape Letters, though I haven’t read it in a while.
Have you tried the Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass? That is gentle, light humour and makes some serious points. I’m a big fan of him actually, Bacon Sandwiches and Salvation is another good one, an A-Z of Christian life. I read his stuff before bed when I want to wind down, so you’d maybe like that at the moment?
I’ve read most of the Sacred Diaries, I think, but not Bacon Sandwiches and Salvation, so I might give that one a try. Thanks!
Details of the other reviews in the IF Bloggers Book Club can be found here: http://catchingourrainbow.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/if-bloggers-book-club-hinds-feet-on-high-places/
This will seem silly, but I loved this review. You had me at epistolary (my new word of the day). Having to look up the word made me realise how much I have learned from your blog. Not just this word, but I have learned from your strength. Thank you 🙂
Aww, thanks! It’s funny, but I felt compelled to use the word ‘epistolary’. I could hear my high school English teacher insisting on it. 😉
We are supposedly reading this book, The Screwtape Letters, in Book Club. I have read ten pages and then I reviewed several other letters, and cannot find a plot. It presumes ones knowledge of Chrisitianity. It alludes at the Devil. It baffles and confuses one looking for a plot or at least coherent arguments based on a premise or at minimum opinion. It is babblling, baffling, and boring. The closest I have ever come to reading something similar is in Philosophy I and II; college courses required in Psychology programs, upper division. After reading the euphemisms and endearments in these reviews, I think and feel that such false advertising is either intentionally proselytizing or misrepresentation for other ulterior motives. I cannot imagine setting out an entire play let alone returning to this manipulative read. My only hope is that it is a book out of a series, that I have not been privy to. Thusly, any forerunners might have set a foundation for the premise of this one….that comes out of left field for me.
Sorry to hear you haven’t enjoyed the book. It does take quite a ‘bare bones’ approach to plot – if you keep reading beyond the first ten pages, you will find that some things happen, but not in every letter, and I don’t think the plot is the main point of the book – it is Lewis’ views and teachings aimed at Christians, as you said. The story about the patient and the relationship between the devils is more of a framework in which that is set.
It’s interesting that you felt it presumed knowledge of Christianity. It is very much a Christian book, but I didn’t feel as though a lot background knowledge was required – then again, I was brought up as a Christian from a young age, so it’s hard for me to judge.
I’m not sure which reviews you’re referring to, but I feel I’ve been honest in mine and don’t think there’s any false advertising here.
I guess the problem with conventional book clubs is from time to time you’ll be asked to read a book you absolutely hate, and to be honest that’s put me off from joining one. I got enough of that at uni. 😉