Preview
  • The Screwtape Letters

  • By: C. S. Lewis
  • Narrated by: Joss Ackland
  • Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (6,294 ratings)

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The Screwtape Letters

By: C. S. Lewis
Narrated by: Joss Ackland
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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 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 and humorous account of temptation - and triumph over it - ever written.

©1942 C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
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What listeners say about The Screwtape Letters

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    5 out of 5 stars

This is the Best Audio Screwtape, a Masterpiece

Any additional comments?

I've got the wonderful (no longer available) John Cleese recording of The Screwtape Letters, as well as the Ralph Cosham version, also very good. But this performance is the best; it's beyond expectation and it might now be my favorite audio book. Ackland's voice is calmer and less cheeky than Cleese, but with much more gravitas.

Now, the case could be made that Cleese's less dignifiied Screwtape gives us a better laugh at the devil and thereby gives us a truer picture of the Underworld's ultimate loss of dignity. But for listening pleasure, which is an aid to absorption, this heavier reading is perfect. Very highly recommended.

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140 people found this helpful

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excellent book, very eye opening.

an easy read, but quite creepy. this book is certainly something that even experienced Christians should read. it affords a different perspective, with advice that is extremely applicable to every individual's daily life.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant Performance!

This CS Lewis classic is beautifully interpreted by Joss Ackland. I have three copies of this book and have read it many times. I will now be listening repeatedly because Ackland’s performance matches Lewis’s wit and wisdom line for line. Listening was pure pleasure.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Will Come Back Again and Again

If you could sum up The Screwtape Letters in three words, what would they be?

Life altering. (I don't have a third word!)

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

Speaking of the time we spend doing things that are uncomfortable - how we think of time as our own. We would do anything the Savior asks of us, but we don't think of that when we have to spend time with an exasperating person. I loved that - it made me more conscious of my own irritability at other people taking up "my time."

What about Joss Ackland’s performance did you like?

I'm partial to British accents.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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excellent very well written and performed.

excellent very well written and performed. I highly recommend this CSL work and the actors performance to anyone seeking knowledge & greater spiritual understanding

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good

Very good one to listen to If you wanna see how the enemy is trying to get you!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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If you wonder what was I thinking....

This book is for you! Lewis is brilliant beyond his time! Amazing writing brought to life by fantastic reading. I'm listening again now!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I'll be reading this MANY more times

The reader has a fantastic voice for this Lewis classic, but I do think this book would be better read than listened to. Lewis is just too rich and thought-provoking. I needed more time to process his writing. That being said, I'm sure I will listen over and over at different points in my life because there will always be something to take away.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved the content, performance was off

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I'd recommend it. I think C.S. Lewis did a great job describing the perspective of demons and how they use our faults against us. Understanding this is an important aspect in growing to depend on God for defense against them.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Screwtape was my favorite character as the he really brought home a demonic mindset and why we would want to avoid demons.

Would you be willing to try another one of Joss Ackland’s performances?

Probably not. I love his voice, but the constant changes in volume caused me to either hurt my ears or miss some of the content as I kept having to adjust as I listened.

If you could take any character from The Screwtape Letters out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I don't want to have dinner with demons so it would have to be the man they were working on.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Love

I absolutely love the story and the performance. I doubt there is a person that wouldn't benefit from reading/listening to this book.

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