For those of you who were able to read the prefaces / intros, what did you think?

I thought they were very interesting. It's always fascinating to read the author's thoughts on his own book, or get little behind-the-scenes glimpses. It reminds me of listening to the audio commentaries of movies, in order to hear the perspectives of the filmmakers.

One thing that I found particularly interesting is that he did not particularly enjoy writing the book, because the diabolical attitude produced a spiritual cramp. Especially because, when I write, the perspective of the villain has always been a favorite of mine. I would have thought that writing from the enemies' point of view would have been a fun and interesting challenge.

Another thing that caught my attention was that he would have liked to included letters from the opposite perspective -- those of good angels -- but it would have been impossible. The thoughts of God can not be known. The thoughts of demons can. Which only goes to show how much more infinite and incomprehensible God is over Satan. And what's more, it shows yet another amazing way God can reveal Himself to us -- He often used C.S. Lewis's writings to show His glory; but in this case, God showed His glory through Lewis's inability to write something. I found that fascinating.

~Riella

One of the interesting things about the preface (for me) wasn't actually in the preface, but rather in a reference to the preface.

I was reading Inside Prince Caspian by Devin Brown, and one of his observations was that the villains in Narnia (Miraz, Jadis, Shift...) all sought to remake Narnia in their likeness, stifling out all originality just as the demons attempted to make their patients like themselves.

So this concept of love and the opposite of love was an important one to Lewis.

Like Ithilwen, I find the idea of writing the letters producing a spiritual cramp interesting -- but I took it more of a warning as to how even the appearance of evil can be bad for the soul.

I listened to The Screwtape Letters on audiobook back in 2009. It was worth listening to this book rather than reading it on print. Why? Because they did a really good job on the Scottish accent of one of the characters!

I haven't been on enough this month - I had missed this group!

I read the Screwtape Letters quite some time ago, and it would be interesting to read them again.

I read the Preface from that link you provided. I like how Lewis emphasises that Satan isn't the evil parallell to God. He is a created being, a mighty angel, and he is the evil parallell to the archangel Michael. I think this makes sense.

If there had been a book about an angel advising a guardian angel about how to guard his human, it still would not have been a book about God's thoughts (although it would have been so much closer to them). Even the unfallen angels are not divine, although they are without sin. The nature of that difference is not the topic here, though - what is important for us is to remember that Satan is at a lower level than God.

(Does this also imply that evil is at a lower level than good?)

Hmm, I don't think I'll have the time to read any more than I am, but I am in a C.S. Lewis class this semester and The Screwtape Letters is one of the books we are reading. We aren't reading it cover to cover, though, so I'll probably discuss the chapters we read in class when the threads for those chapters open. I love The Screwtape Letters, though (I have read it before)!

I apologize for my absence, but I don't think I'll be able to continue.

I was really excited for this, but I'm just too busy right now. It's just another deadline y'know?

I was really excited for this, but I'm just too busy right now. It's just another deadline y'know?

Thanks for letting us know. If you find you have time you are welcome to post in any of the threads. We don't have any set deadlines for posting yet.

*slips in feeling a bit embarrassed as she keeps getting in trouble and not allowed on the computer* Soooooo, er, I kinda failed at this whole thing. so lets see... Lia stole my copy of the Screwtape letters so that completely stopped me from reading, though I have read it before. So, um, I agree with, uh, with the person whom I agree with! I will try to get it back from her and post my thoughts on letter 20 soon.