The Screwtape Letters was the second book by C.S. Lewis that I have had the opportunity to read, and it was surely as solidly entertaining and insightful as I would have expected. The wisdom offered by Lewis is priceless, spanning generational gaps with the universal truths presented. Throughout the entirety of the book, I remained intrigued by Lewis' unique writing style.
             The book operates in the form of correspondences between two demons who are vocationally "temptersâ€" in the underworld. Screwtape, the only author (minus the secretarial recordings of Toadpipe) we have the pleasure of experiencing, is a fairly high ranking officer in the hierarchy of tempters. Screwtape's letters are always addressed in response to received correspondence from Wormwood, his nephew, who is described as a "junior tempterâ€" in training. The book maintains no identifiable historical period, however a war in Europe is identified, so one could assume that this period could be World War I or World War II based.
             The plot of the book takes place within the context of the letters. Wormwood is charged with the task of enticing a "patient,"" which represents a regular human being, to Hell. Screwtape serves as a mentor, fielding Wormwood's questions and discussing strategies for winning the patient to the side of evil. The book, then, is therefore centered around the spiritual battle experienced by these two demons and the patient, who remains unnamed. The Enemy--who represents God--is consistently opposed by Our Father, who represents Satan. Of course, Wormwood and Screwtape are employed by Satan in the book and are in a constant battle with The Enemy. Finally, in Screwtape's last letter, we learn that the patient has successfully accepted a life with Christ and faced down his tempters. After the letters, we have a unique section of text added later which deals with a proposal from Screwtape at a banquet.
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