The Screwtape Letters

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Length: 3 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

A masterpiece of satire, this classic has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below". At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C.S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old Devil to his nephew, Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man.

The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging account of temptation, and triumph over it, ever written.

(P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

Audie Award Finalist, Inspirational/Spiritual, 2007

Known for The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis wrote the wittiest defense of Christianity ever. Humorist John Cleese won AudioFile Earphones for his 1999 enactment of the correspondence between two devils plotting the damnation of one man's soul. Ralph Cosham is a slightly less demented fiend, but the text itself remains hilarious.... Cosham's organ-like voice also lends resonance.... This is, therefore, the best audio ever spoken of the funniest defense of Christianity ever written." (AudioFile magazine)

"Lewis' satire is a Christian classic....[his] take on human nature is as on-target as it was when the letters were first published in 1941." (Library Journal)

Well done

So innocent, yet so sinister...First time listening CS Lewis. impressed to say the least. Enjoyed to the fullest

A classic that can be listened to in a couple hours

Also I’m glad it was included in Audible Plus. The narrator did other CS Lewis material very well and this was a very nice listen.

Excellent

What a pleasure to listen to words written by a master. Words that are profound and meaningful and where a few of them make the listener think.
Even if a person does not believe in Christianity one must listen to the last chapter. Prophetical words from 60 years ago.

Essential Read for all those who seek to follow Christ

The language and concepts of the book are dense. It helps to be able to stop and rewind certain passages as you listen the book.
Powerful commentary on God's grave, love and hope for all who believe!

Relates so well to modern society

The parallels between the thoughts and struggles between the past and present day are uncanny. Well worth the listen.

Awesome book! Would recommend!

Everything about this audio book was great! The narration was in point and I could imagine the character saying those things. C.S. Lewis is a great writer and I love this story because it is so different from any other book while at the same time, creating a thought provoking and enjoyable book.
Screwtape is an old demond that is trying to instruct his nephew how to ensure a soul goes to hell. He speaks about how the "subject" must be blinded from certain things and kept away from the "enemy". Overall, I thought this book was great and would definitely recommend it to anybody who is looking for an intellectual, fun, and grasping story. Audible 20 review sweepstakes entry.

A Long Time Favorite of Mine

What made the experience of listening to The Screwtape Letters the most enjoyable?

I did not realize it at the time, but I actually had this reading of the book in cassette format. I loved the book then and still do now. The book has actually been read by me on numerous occasions as well, but the format lends itself to speech so much that it is my preferred method of delivery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Screwtape Letters?

Each and every moment that I see myself in the convoluted machinations Screwtape employs to keep his charge in a fog.

What does Ralph Cosham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Just a superb reading.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Please don't make this a film. It needs to be read or heard. My tag line would be....you are right where I want you to be.

Any additional comments?

Make no doubt about the fact that this is a book dealing with the Christian worldview, but the philosophical truth that is displayed/portrayed is just that, truth.

If you hate everything about Christianity this book will not be for you, and I doubt that it would bring you to the altar, so-to-speak. If you are looking for a great yarn as in Narnia you won't find that depth of storytelling here.

The story is enjoyable in and of itself. The sarcasm is thick. Those with the Christian worldview will find so very much more than the story. A must on every shelf.

Thought provoking

Where does The Screwtape Letters rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top quarter

What did you like best about this story?

It is a unique approach to the moral issues of life.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final toast was a particularly thoughtful insight into our current society. And the evils innate in many of our current practices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The section where Screwtape describes how humans can be made to argue in such a way that they can take rightful indignation while offering to forgo something they do not really care if they got or not.

Any additional comments?

Many of the reviews on this book are either by Christians, who love it, or non Christians, who generally do not like it. I am a solid deist but a shaky Christian at best. This offers many insights to commonly miss-held perceptions (many of which I carry) about God.

The other thing that surprised me was that some people found the book funny. There is no doubt that it took a great wit to write it but while there is much in it to make you think there is very little at was to me laugh out loud funny.

If you do not see yourself somewhere in what Screwtape says about humans you are either not looking very hard at what he says or at yourself.

Loved it

I love CS Lewis and this is over if my all time favorite books. The narrator does a great job. definitely sounds best in the English accent.

Genuinely enjoyable and eye-opening

An excellently done performance! The most Christian literature tends to be dry or pretty difficult for a new convert to read, this led me to realize the importance of some virtues that I had not considered before all whilst being something I actually looked forward to listening to on my morning commute. Both historically and spiritually intriguing, it is a masterpiece and one of my new favorites.