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THIS BOOK IS AN AMAZON BEST SELLER
The Screwtape Letters in Everyday English is a reworked version of C.S. Lewis’s classic, designed to make the text more accessible to modern readers. The book presents the original story of a senior demon, Screwtape, advising his nephew Wormwood on how to tempt and corrupt a human soul, but with updated language and simplified structure for better readability. The 2024 edition further refines the text to make it more engaging, especially for younger audiences, by breaking up lengthy paragraphs and using contemporary language. The book has gained significant popularity, ranking as one of the top religious ethics books on Amazon.
THIS BOOK IS AN AMAZON BEST SELLER
C.S. Lewis’ classic book, The Screwtape Letters in Everyday English. Here is a before and after so that you can get a flavour of the rewording of the book:
ORIGINAL:
MY DEAR WORMWOOD, I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian. Do not indulge the hope that you will escape the usual penalties; indeed, in your better moments, I trust you would hardly even wish to do so. In the meantime we must make the best of the situation. There is no need to despair; hundreds of these adult converts have been reclaimed after a I brief sojourn in the Enemy’s camp and are now with us. All the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in our favour.
EVERYDAY ENGLISH:
My dear Wormwood, I must express my profound displeasure at the news of your patient’s conversion to Christianity. Make no mistake; there will be repercussions for this oversight. However, all is not lost; we still have avenues to exploit to salvage the situation. Remember, many adults have dallied with Christianity only to return to our fold in due course. Your patient’s habits, both mental and physical, still lean in our favour.
When I first read Mere Christianity I was left wondering if the average North American reader would be able to follow along without having an English-to-’English’ dictionary at their side. Even I had to Google the meaning of some of Lewis’ 1940’s colloquialisms. Lewis himself makes reference to the changes in language and word usage over time. This led me to reworking his book into Mere Christianity in Everyday English. Never did I expect such a positive response to my efforts. This success led me to tackle The Screwtape Letters which Lewis wrote the year prior to writing Mere Christianity. Since its initial release in December 2023, The Screwtape Letters in Everyday English is presently ranked as the “No. 2 most gifted” book in the category of Religious Ethics on Amazon. Endeavouring to ‘make a good thing better’, I have further revised and updated the book’s content in this 2024 edition to make it even more readable – especially for the younger audience. I made a conscious decision to sacrifice Lewis’ penchant for composing extraordinarily long paragraphs, some of which spanned more than a page-and-a-half, in favour of prioritizing readability. Clive Staples Lewis was a Professor of English at Oxford University and authored many famous novels, including The Chronicles of Narnia and The Problem of Pain. The most recent estimate for sales of his books is in excess of 200 million copies.
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Amazon Review –
Amazon customer: CLEzzell
5 out of 5 stars Must, must read.
This was a short read, and I enjoyed every minute. It is a very thought-provoking book. I recommend this to all Christians.
Amazon Review –
Talena
5 out of 5 stars really enjoyed this book
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is different than anything I have ever read! Screwtape is a high level demon who is in charge of a younger demon called Wormwood. So Wormwood has been assigned to a human man, and it’s his job to keep the man in sin. Screwtape writes Wormwood letters to teach him human weakness and how to keep him away from God- “the enemy”. Screwtape explains in detail how humans think and feel in different situations and how to manipulate them and discourage them. The book made me reevaluate some of the things I do and how I react. I saw through the eyes of demons and the tricks that they use against us. It’s really worth the $’s
Amazon Review –
Joan McAlister
5.0 out of 5 stars Helps with the original
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
Just a fun note. The guys made fun for getting this “cliff note” but two more showed up the next week with this book. I recommend you read this, then read the original. A good help to understand the original.
Amazon Review –
Penelope Zelasko
5.0 out of 5 stars Great alternative to the original
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
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I didn’t realize this existed until I started searching. I purchased a Screwtape letters by CS Lewis, but found the British language difficult to read. David Harrison is a genius and making things come to life when your culture is very and you can’t understand the original.
David Harrison –
Talena
5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this book
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is different than anything I have ever read! Screwtape is a high level demon who is in charge of a younger demon called Wormwood. So Wormwood has been assigned to a human man, and it’s his job to keep the man in sin. Screwtape writes Wormwood letters to teach him human weakness and how to keep him away from God- “the enemy”. Screwtape explains in detail how humans think and feel in different situations and how to manipulate them and discourage them. The book made me reevaluate some of the things I do and how I react. I saw through the eyes of demons and the tricks that they use against us. It’s really worth the $
From Amazon –
Douglas C. Creed
5.0 out of 5 stars A modern Screwtape
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2025
Verified Purchase
For those who have read the Screwtape Letters in the original CS Lewis version this addition is easier to read. The same story but it is today’s English.
From Amazon –
Gail Matthews
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting reading
Reviewed in Canada on August 3, 2024
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I purchased this book on the recommendation of a friend.
From Amazon –
Faith Builder
5.0 out of 5 stars Lewis created a masterpiece. Harrison made it readable for today’s audience.
Reviewed in Canada on December 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
I was given a copy of Lewis’s Screwtape Letters many years ago by my Godmother (Lewis noted that it’s the sort of book Godparents give to their Godchildren – see page 7). Back then I never got through more than the first two or three chapters. This time it was different, maybe it’s the understanding that comes with age, or maybe because it’s been rewritten in language I can follow and enjoy. Screwtape Letters reminds us that we live in a spiritual world and there are spiritual forces out there that would seek to deceive us. Lewis presents a lot of spiritual truths tinged with humour. Highly recommend.
From Amazon –
Ram Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters in Everyday English
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2025
Verified Purchase
A must read if you’re a CS Lewis fan or interested in a very solid read on his take of how the Devil’s minions work. Much to think and discuss. Having it in everyday, modern English was/is a brilliant idea.
From Amazon –
CLEzzell
5.0 out of 5 stars Must, must read.
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was a short read, and I enjoyed every minute. It is a very thought-provoking book. I recommend this to all Christians.