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C.S. Lewis

Hi Motokid, Screwtape is subtitled Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil (or something similar) Lewis imagines that a novice devil is working in the field and is receiving advice from his line-manager on how to lead souls to damnation. It is really the story of one young man who is being tempted in various ways to the "darkside' but in very ordinary and mundane ways - though the the stakes are eternal! Moral but also hugely enjoyable - Lewis's imagination builds a wonderful picture of the infernal realms as a kind of bureaucratic Civil Service. Historical interest too, giving a portrait of English life in the war years of the 1940s.
 
How do you like Lewis?

I personally think that he shows too much in his Narnia books about how he thinks... I mean all that about arab people being worse than the white, that they are the bad and the white the pure, the free, the good.
I mean, it's stupid.
But I must say he has a wonderful imagination and I llike his way of writing.
 
nera115 said:
I personally think that he shows too much in his Narnia books about how he thinks... I mean all that about arab people being worse than the white, that they are the bad and the white the pure, the free, the good.
I mean, it's stupid.
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Something to bear in mind is that this series was started over fifty years ago when world culture was different. There are also people who view the Narnia books as having a misogynistic theme because of the way the witch is portrayed. The general perception of women and non-whites was different and it was considered acceptable to express that perception. However, I don't think that it is really all that different from recent thought on people of Middle Eastern descent. How often are the villains on television or in movies portrayed as bomb toting middle eastern extremists?
 
Good point Mehastings.

He was a product of his times, just as we are products of our own times. I have only read, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, so am not sure about his writing style in other books. I have always liked The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the way he tells the story, quite often reminding us that it is indeed only a story that's being told by the way he interjects.
 
I haven't read the Narnia material, though I have read The Screwtape Letters. I like how he wrote it and I can see how it would appeal to younger readers and help them along in their perspective christian beliefs(no matter what sect of it) He employed a truly magnificent way of conveying key ideas and principles to help people "get it." While I don't agree with it, I do have to give credit where credit is due in terms of good writing and in forming a good argument.
 
CS Lewis will always be one of my absolute favorite authors. He has this ability to make religion invigorating and challenging, using analogies to help express concepts that can be hard to understand but never seeking to come across as "holier than thou". I'm a Christian myself, so I loved reading his more "intellectual" take on complex concepts and questions (like "Mere Christianity" and the wonderful "Screwtape Letters") -- even though some of his work has dated, it has enduring relevance and is worth a read, whether you are a Christian or not. And of course, there is the wonderful "Narnia"... Basically, he is hard to beat. :D
 
Mere Christianity is a mindblowing book. Despite its title, I think all people should read it, considering some interesting philosophy questions it raises.

The issue of Lewis being a product of his culture and time is questionable. Arabs were not viewed as particularily bad, considering it was during WW2. You would assume that because of this, the Axis of Evil would have been harked upon in his stories.

The reason arabs are chosen, is mainly because of muslims. They are viewed as "the misinterpreters of the law."
 
I just finished "the screwtape letters", I thought it was interesting and well written, but i liked the chronicals of narnia better. in chronicals my favorites are: the horse and his boy and prince caspian.
 
i like the chronicles of narnia. when i first discovered the book in the school library, i got hooked. i read it anytime there's a break in school work. i almost got into trouble because it was the only thing i was reading. one of my teachers noticed and she threatened to hide the books if i didn't take a break from them.

i had to obey her, otherwise i woudn't be able to finish the series
 
I loved the Chronicles of Narnia. I'd always meant to read The Screwtape Letters but have never gotten around to it. Hmmm... *adds to must-read list*
 
The only book of C.S.Lewis I've tried to read is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. For some reason it really annoyed me and I just couldn't get into it. Was quite disappointed because I found his life fascinating - loved the biography (film and book) Shadowlands about him. Will try again sometime, perhaps after I've seen the Narnia movie. By the way thanks to whoever gave the author of A Wrinkle in Time. I read that when I was quite young and it must have left a lasting impression on me as I still remember the name! Well things start to fade a bit with age.:confused: Now I can find it and read it again.
 
The Chronicles of Narnia are very popular, but I was actually wondering if anyone has read, The Screwtape Letters? I recently started reading The Abolition of Men If anyone has read either of these, I was wondering what you thought about them.

I thought The Screwtape Letters were very interesting, although not the type of book I usually read, I do enjoy CS Lewis.
 
I actually do not like The Chronicles of Narnia, they are fine for a child, but not much interesting for an adult. There are too many details and background left out for my taste.

But I did love The Screwtape Letters. I thought it was hilarious.
 
I don't know if people around here care much for audiobooks, but I hear the audiobook version of The Screwtape Letters, done by John Cleese, is supposed to be quite good.
 
I highly enjoy all of Lewis's books. The Screwtape Letters is a wonderful look from a completely different perspective. Mere Christianity is also just INCREDIBLE. It's so philosophical and honest. If you read nothing else, read the first chapter. His other works are also amazing.
 
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