Saturday, May 12, 2012

Review and Giveaway: As One Devil to Another


As One Devil to Another is an astonishing debut work that C. S. Lewis’s biographer and foremost Lewis authority Walter Hooper calls “a stunning achievement, the finest example of the genre of diabolical correspondence to appear since this genre was popularized by C. S. Lewis.” Enter into this chilling and diabolical tale, one that reveals the very tricks and strategies of Hell. 
Through a series of letters between devils created by Platt, senior devil Slashreap trains his young protégé, Scardagger, to win an individual soul away from Heaven and into their clutches. As the devils plot their way to triumph, they reveal the spiritual dangers and risks we face in today’s society. Their frighteningly accurate perspective on issues such as contemporary technology and sexual mores is interwoven with timeless matters such as the power of prayer, the purpose of suffering, and the promises held out by Heaven . . . and Hell.(publisher's book description)
Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis has been on my to-read list for many years.  In fact, the very book has been sitting in my nightstand drawer for about a year.  So, when I had the opportunity to review Richard Platt's As One Devil to Another, written in the style of C.S. Lewis, my interest was piqued.

I actually started reading Screwtape Letters in anticipation of the arrival of Platt's book.  I wanted to have an idea of the comparison of the two.  Part of my concern is that Platt's book would seem unoriginal and too much copy of Lewis' unique style in Screwtape Letters to the point of annoyance.  I needn't have worried.

I found the tale woven among the letters between senior devil Slashread and student Scardagger thought-provoking and interesting.  I enjoyed the little nods to C.S. Lewis or the original Screwtape Letters.  For example, Slashread is Screwtape's brother.  Slashread warns Scardagger that the "client's" aunt has titles by "a pestilential writer named Lewis" and later references a lion and children (from the popular Naria Series, for those unfamiliar).

The "fiendish correspondence" gives the read a glimpse into all the tricks and strategies of Hell in order to turn one away from the "Adversary" (Slashread's address of God) all with a modern twist of issues of today.  Political correctness, homosexuality, reality TV, the sexual revolution, and the Internet are all topics addressed.  Also addressed are those issues and questions with which humanity has always struggled: competition, sufferance, pride, humility, good works, and more.

While there was at least once I questioned some theology as presented, overall I found it was good read.  At just under 200 pages, it won't bog you down, but it also has enough meat to it to make you think. I'll likely require my high school student to read this title, after reading Screwtape Letters first, especially since the "client" is a young woman at the university pursuing an English degree, an area of interest for my daughter.

Giveaway! (Closed)
Congrats to commenter #5, Julieanne!

I have one certificate for a copy of As One Devil to Another to giveaway to one lucky U.S. reader. See below for how you can enter.  Please make sure to leave your contact info in each comment.

Mandatory entry:
  • Do you have a favorite C.S. Lewis book?
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The giveaway will end on May 25th at 6 p.m. EST and will be chosen by a random number generator. 
Disclaimer/Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book mentioned above for free from Tyndale Publishers in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. All opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

17 comments:

Leah Courtney said...

I enjoyed reviewing this one also. I love Lewis's writing and did enjoy the comparison of the two. I appreciated the references to Lewis's works and Narnia. :-)

charla said...

My favorite Lewis book is 'Surprised by Joy'.

Julieanne said...

My favorite C.S. Lewis book is The Chronicles of Narnia!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne said...

I'm following you on Google Friend Connect!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne said...

I'm an email subscriber!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne said...

I left a comment on your Physics Quest Kit announcement!

http://chatterandclatter.blogspot.com/2011/11/registration-for-physicsquest-2011.html

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Jennifer said...

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe has been one of my favorites of his for many years.

Jennifer said...

I follow your blog with GFC.

Jennifer said...

and follow on Facebook.

Jennifer said...

and Twitter

Diane Allen said...

My summer goal is to read several more CS Lewis books. My former favorite was *The Screwtape Letters*, which I found to be an excellent literature study with teens. This year we read *The Great Divorce* with the British Lit group my daughter is in. I think it might be my favorite now.

Diane Allen said...

I posted to my facebook page (my personal one).

Mozi Esme said...

Mere Christianity - I had to read it for a college course...

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Debbie said...

I love the Narnia books. I've also read The Great Divorce, which was very good and would like to read some more of Lewis's works.

Debbie said...

I follow on GFC.

Debbie said...

I follow on facebook.

Linda Kish said...

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

lkish77123 at gmail dot com