I love this book, I read it about once a year.  I'm not a Christian but I think Lewis explains more about human relationships and the human psyche in this book than any other writer I've read.  I also saw a stage play of it in New York last fall that was incredible.  There were only two actors, Screwtape and his assistant (the assistant only mimed, never spoke).  Don't know if its still playing anywhere, but it was an incredible performance and if anyone has the chance to see it, don't pass it up.  Has anyone else read this book?  What did you think?

it was a great read...you can also try In His Steps by Charles Sheldon about a community that makes a pledge to base everything they do on what would jesus do and how this affects their businesses, careers and  familes etc...

deborah

I love the Screwtape Letters. I think it's a great read.

Frank Peretti has two books somewhat similar: "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness"; but CS Lewis' is still my favorite, the stageplay you mention sounds interesting, I hope I get the chance to see it somewhere.

Have you read any other CS Lewis books (besides Narnia)? You might like "The Great Divorce" and/or "Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold"

There's also a movie in the works (in theory, its still "preproduction" so it might not happen) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0956039/

If you enjoyed Screwtape Letters, you should give Mere Christianity a go -- at least the first 30-40 pages or so.  Lewis, who was an atheist for a good chunk of his life knows the kind of things that in his words should give us "cause to be uneasy."  He will give you some food for thought in those 30-40 pages -- but of course  in the other ear you will hear a voice telling you not to get taken in.

Vanessa, if you like Screwtape Letters, you should try to get a copy of the audio book read by John Cleese. It's excellent.

That's sounds awesome Cat, I'll have to check the library.  I love audiobooks when there's an awesome narrator to really bring all the characters to life.

Chris, I have read Mere Christianity and was actually quite disappointed.  Lewis' arguments in that one are circular and pretty shoddy compared to some of his other writings.  I thought The Great Divorce was much better written.

I like The Great Divorce too. It's a lot better than Mere Christianity, imo. Have you read Till We Have Faces? It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I really enjoyed that one.

There is a one-man show of the Screwtape Letters playing in Chicago:

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/playdetail.php?playID=2825

WORLD magazine (www.worldmag.com) gave it great reviews, if any of you are in the area.

I saw the play in Chicago a couple of months ago.  It was absolutely INCREDIBLE!  I tried to re-read the book after seeing the show, but the show has so much more impact than the book did.

Vanessa,

I was excited when I saw your post. CS Lewis is by far my favorite author. I live in Chicago and also saw that Screwtape play last winter. It was excellent. I took a class in college that was on Lewis and we read a many of his books. CS Lewis is a genius, and he has such a unique way of looking at things. I feel like everything he says/writes is so profound. His books have changed my life. You should read his biography - Suprised by Joy. It's awesome. I also recomment The Great Divorce...that's one of my favorites.

Have you read anything else of his?

I've read The Great Divorce (good), Mere Christianity (pitiful) and all of the Chronicles of Narnia, several times.  They're timeless.

For me, Mere Christianity was distilled into The Great Divorce. Since I have only so much shelf space, I chose the latter over the former for that reason. As for Screwtape? Love it. I reread it regularly. I have the narnia series, but I also stumbled across Lewis' space trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength. The last one is very difficult for me to read, especially, but tells more that I need to know, too, or so it seems.

I also have read The Abolition of Man, which helped me get my kids out of regular public school. There are others, but these are the ones that made the biggest impression on me.

I used to attend a CS Lewis group- they have groups all over the U.S. and elsewhere.

Has anybody read "The Four Loves"?  I learned so much about myself and others from that one.  It sits on my shelf and I often reference it when I'm having trouble with relationships in my life.

I love Narnia.  I loved "Out of a Silent Planet", but I felt like "Perelandra" was too 'in your face' for me.  I still haven't read the last one.  "Til We Have Faces" was a wonderful read.  I've read "Mere Christianity", as well.

I have a lot of his other works sitting on my shelf TBR.