I've often enjoyed reading Lewis' nifty little experiment in the devils'-eye-view of temptation, and when I found this fair-condition graphic-novel adaptation at The Book Cellar I couldn't resist it.

The book is a wonderfully clever series of letters from a senior devil to his nephew, who's apparently having trouble snaring his first soul. It's amusing, chilling, and thought-provoking, and well worth reading. (I've read that, when "Screwtape" first came out, some readers missed the point entirely and complained that this was a very dangerous book that incited people to sin...)

I can't quite decide whether the illustrations enhance the story or just muddy the waters. The demons sometimes look a bit too comical - they're meant to be revealed as petty, nasty bureaucrats, and some amount of ridicule may be helpful in resisting them, but if they're seen only as figures of fun that rather misses the point. Perhaps a future reader who hasn't read the original will post a comment about whether the illustrations helped or hindered!

I've also heard this on audiotape, as read by John Cleese - he's got the perfect voice for it - and, more recently, I found another audio version on Audible.com, read by Joss Ackland, who's also very good (and a bit more sinister).

[There's an entertaining TV Tropes page for the book as well.]

I'm adding this to my Graphic Novel shrinking bookbox, which will soon be on its way. Hope someone enjoys the book!

This book enjoyed a quick visit in San Jose, CA before continuing its travels in the Graphic Novel Shrinking Bookbox!

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I'm quite fond of the original novel, but since this is less a comic book adaptation as an illustrated book, I'll let it continue its travels.

Sloth may be one of the no no's

but this bozo clown devils,
work like the mad.

I have the actually regular book of the Screwtape letters. So I was definitely curious about this one.

I never got past the first few 'letters' in the book, because I had too much going on at the time and then I forgot about it. So, I thought it might be easier to get a feel for it from the graphic novel and decide if I wanted to try again.

Well, first, let me say that I thought the drawing and color were WAY over done! Talk about feeling claustrophobia! What a mess of chaos and offensive color. I couldn't even dwell on the images for any length of time because they were just too much. Way too much going on. I know the artist was trying to squeeze in a lot of visual concepts at once but there is a point where there's so much, you're reader just looks past it and mostly misses everything because it just a tiring mess to look at.

Beyond that, getting to the letters, I found the whole concept of the book very interesting and I gave it a lot of leeway when I started but by the middle I was getting very annoyed. It had just disintegrated into something preachy, judgment and the focus became more and more narrow, and yet overly general, if that makes any sense.

So, by the last page, I was glad to be done with it and barely restraining my desire to roll my eyes. I wish it had been handled better.

Either way though, I'm putting it back in the box and someone else may take a better liking to it! :)

Arrived in GoryDetails's graphic novel shrinking bookbox.

As soon as I saw this I realized I'd read the graphic novel as well as the original; apparently it was pre-BC, since it's not on my virtual bookshelf.

The people behind this version do NOT believe in white space. I understand what they were trying to do, but the overall effect is very crowded.

Leaving it in the box for another reader. Change of plans: I'll take this out rather than send it back to Gory. Mom may read it, then it may get released at the Catholic university where she tutors. :)

Here's a copy of the text version on my shelf.

Left somewhere on campus...

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Thanks for finding this book!

If you're new to Bookcrossing, I hope you will take some time to explore this wonderful free and anonymous community and learn what it has to offer.

Freed any good books lately? It's good for the circulation. :)