"The Screwtape Letters" (henceforth shortened to "TSL") is the second book I read by Lewis with religion as the theme. Unlike "Essays on Christanity" where Lewis wrote from the standpoint of the converted, TSL is a wittily-contrived book whereby Lewis adopted the persona of a character from Hell in the shape of Screwtape. The latter is a high-ranking servant of the Enemy (i.e. the Devil) and TSL is essentially a collection of letters written by him to his nephew, Wormwood, a neophyte tempter who is trying to convert humans to the dark side.
By turns gloating, counselling, and offering advice, Screwtape endeavours to teach Wormwood how to successfully tempt his designated victim through the machinations of pride, envy, despair to turn from hope, love, community and family. In the last letter, Screwtape eventually turns on his nephew, who had let his victim get away.
From a purely 'read-for-interest' standpoint, the book's an entertaining and easy read, inducing many moments where I smiled to myself on reading Screwtape's advice to Wormwood to exploit the circumstances to profit.
Rating: 4 geek points out of 5 (witty, provoking, satiric!)
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