The Screwtape Letters

Name: The Screwtape Letters
ISBN: 9787567511491

C. S. LewisEast China Normal University Press · ChinaMar 2023

4.4

Word count: 86K words
Chapters: 8
ISBN: 9787567511491

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Summary

This book is a collection of correspondence born entirely of imagination. The two letter-writers are devils: one is Screwtape, a veteran tempter, and the other is Wormwood, a junior tempter. The two devils exchange letters about techniques of tempting human beings, venomously exposing the ugliness and "sores" hidden in human nature. Yet for all their surface cordiality, they are in fact scheming against each other, each longing to "devour" the other in the end. In the book, C.S. Lewis gives free rein to his imagination, speaking through the mouth of a devil to satirize human nature in depth, leaving readers, after hearty laughter, to reflect on and see through their true motives, and thereby recognize their true selves.

Editor's review

The Screwtape Letters is another masterpiece of profound thought and literary ingenuity by C.S. Lewis, following The Chronicles of Narnia. The book consists of 31 letters in which a senior devil, Uncle Screwtape, instructs his nephew Wormwood on how to tempt and corrupt a newly converted "patient." The perspective is unique and the conception ingenious. Through it, Lewis incisively exposes the hidden weaknesses, pride, and self-deception in human nature that we often overlook or beautify. This is not a lurid story about devils, but a mirror held up to the soul. Its analysis of everyday temptations, struggles of faith, intellectual pride, and emotional indulgence is penetrating, and its insight transcends eras, remaining startling and sobering to this day. Its value lies not only in offering a vivid metaphor for understanding "spiritual warfare," but also in prompting readers, through ironic wisdom, to engage in deep self-examination. As an allegorical work that perfectly combines theological thought with literary imagination, it reaches an exceptionally high level in both literary and intellectual quality, and is an indispensable part of understanding C.S. Lewis's thought.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in deep reflection on human nature, morality, and faith
C.S. Lewis fans who wish to explore his intellectual works beyond the children's stories
Literature lovers who enjoy serious themes explored through distinctive forms such as allegory and satire
Those in a stage of faith exploration or spiritual growth who desire inner self-examination

Not a good fit for

Readers of popular fiction seeking plot excitement and action scenes
Readers with no interest in religious or philosophical topics who want only light reading

Reading tips

It is recommended to read slowly, pausing after each letter to reflect on how the "traps" described in the book map onto one's own life
Read alongside other works by Lewis, such as Mere Christianity and The Problem of Pain, for a fuller understanding of his intellectual development
This book rewards repeated reading; revisiting it at different stages of life may yield new insights, so consider taking notes while reading

About the publisher

East China Normal University Press China · Founded in 1957

Adhering to the publishing purpose of "broad education," East China Normal University Press extends beyond its three main areas of textbooks, academic works and general-interest books, and its catalogue clearly reflects a vision that bridges Chinese and foreign humanities and social sciences. In foreign literature it offers classics such as Yasunari Kawabata's Snow Country and The Old Capital (translated by Chen Dewen), Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and Rilke's annotated edition of The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge (translated by Chen Zao); in architecture, Chen Congzhou's two-volume Appreciation Dictionary of Chinese Gardens; in social psychology, The Social Animal: 12th Edition; and it also includes philosophy titles, traditional-culture works such as the six-volume Paintings for the Protection of Life, and education books. Its authors include renowned Chinese and foreign writers and skilled translators, showing a publishing profile that balances classic translation, scholarly accumulation and public reading. Public information is limited; the above is based only on the books in the catalogue.

作者序
书信1
书信2
书信3
私酷鬼致祝酒辞前言
私酷鬼致祝酒辞
后记
译后记

FAQ

Is this book a horror novel or a ghost story?

Not at all. It is a highly intellectual allegorical work, using the distinctive perspective of diabolical correspondence to conduct profound moral and theological discussion and satire of human nature, with no horror elements.

Can I understand this book without a Christian background?

You can grasp its core analysis of human weakness. However, many of its metaphors and terms are rooted in a Christian worldview, and some basic background knowledge (such as the concepts of original sin and redemption) will greatly enhance the depth and pleasure of reading.

What is the connection between this book and The Chronicles of Narnia?

They share the same author and his profound Christian intellectual core. But the genre and audience differ: Narnia is a fantasy allegory for children, while The Screwtape Letters is a more direct and incisive theological and moral satire for adults, showing the serious and dialectical side of Lewis's thought.

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About the author

C. S. Lewis Author · British (Irish-born) · 1898–1963

C. S. Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis) was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1898 and died in Oxford in 1963. He was a British scholar, novelist and Christian apologetic writer. He served as a fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, and from 1954 held the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge. His writing spans fantasy, science fiction, allegory, apologetics and literary criticism: The Chronicles of Narnia build a world of clear moral contrasts through fairy-tale fantasy, The Screwtape Letters examine human nature through an epistolary allegory, The Problem of Pain and The Four Loves explore faith and love, and Of Other Worlds collects his literary essays. His work combines lucid reasoning with fertile imagination and has influenced both general readers and scholars.