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. Destined to become a modern classic, As One Devil to Another is a brilliantly written, deeply unsettling perspective on twenty-first-century society . . . a glimpse of ourselves through the eyes of those who have embraced their underworldly existence.
As One Devil to Another
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Most who come to As One Devil to Another, Richard Platt's homage to The Screwtape Letters, will already be devotees of C. S. Lewis. They will not be disappointed.... ventriloquism on behalf of devilry is not easy, as is clear from attempts by others. ... It is impressive, therefore, that Platt has been able to maintain a high standard over 31 letters, the same number as in the original.... it forces us to ask those questions which, as individuals, we need always to ask... - A. T. Reyes, Groton School, Massachusetts, and Wolfson College, Oxford The Journal of Inklings Studies
Working within the tradition that the master perfected, Richard Platt brings a signature all his own to the genre of diabolical correspondence: social satire and psychological incisiveness that are timely, timeless, and telling.- James Como, Founding Member of the New York C. S. Lewis Society and author of Why I Believe in Narnia: 33 Reviews & Essays on the Life Work of C. S. Lewis.
A witty and amusing insight into the wiles of fallen angels. Most enjoyable.- Dr. Michael Ward, Chaplain at St. Peter's College, Oxford and author of The Narnia Code
Armed with thorough knowledge of Lewis' work and a deft, creative touch, Richard Platt uses keenly edged satire to slice through the sham in our human failings and posturing, and the form those take in modern culture. In the winsome tradition of The Screwtape Letters, this immensely entertaining and deeply instructive book uses irony to cast a positive vision of the truth about human destiny and potential, and the vast, unfailing love of God for His children. -Dr. Wayne Martindale, author of Beyond the Shadowlands; coeditor of The Quotable Lewis and The Soul of C. S. Lewis
Richard Platt, writes with the same elegance, felicity and sarcastic wit that Lewis did seventy years ago. In addition, Platt reveals a theological sagacity and psychological acumen that almost matches Lewis' own. - Will Vaus
You’ll have a hell of a time ... C. S. Lewis Scholar Walter Hooper compares Platt’s work to Lewis’s Screwtape Letters and the association is well deserved ... delicious use of the English language. Highly recommended - The Library Journal, Starred Review
My Dear Uncle Slashreap,
You ask my reactions to the letters published by one Richard Platt entitled As One Devil to Another. . . a meretricious work of imagination after the fashion of the same detestable Lewis whose witty barbs at our expense we had thought finally to be rid of. What makes it dangerously insidious is that unfortunately all of it is true. Rest assured, however, that we have done our work too well to have it undone by this resurrected Lewis. We have little to fear from the exposure of your letters and can look forward with relish to the day when we partake of this author—as our Platt du Jour!
Your loving nephew,
Scardagger
[With thanks to Dr. Sanford Lakoff, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego for discovering this communication.] (Scardagger )
Working within the tradition that the master perfected, Richard Platt brings a signature all his own to the genre of diabolical correspondence: social satire and psychological incisiveness that are timely, timeless, and telling.- James Como, Founding Member of the New York C. S. Lewis Society and author of Why I Believe in Narnia: 33 Reviews & Essays on the Life Work of C. S. Lewis.
A witty and amusing insight into the wiles of fallen angels. Most enjoyable.- Dr. Michael Ward, Chaplain at St. Peter's College, Oxford and author of The Narnia Code
Armed with thorough knowledge of Lewis' work and a deft, creative touch, Richard Platt uses keenly edged satire to slice through the sham in our human failings and posturing, and the form those take in modern culture. In the winsome tradition of The Screwtape Letters, this immensely entertaining and deeply instructive book uses irony to cast a positive vision of the truth about human destiny and potential, and the vast, unfailing love of God for His children. -Dr. Wayne Martindale, author of Beyond the Shadowlands; coeditor of The Quotable Lewis and The Soul of C. S. Lewis
Richard Platt, writes with the same elegance, felicity and sarcastic wit that Lewis did seventy years ago. In addition, Platt reveals a theological sagacity and psychological acumen that almost matches Lewis' own. - Will Vaus
You’ll have a hell of a time ... C. S. Lewis Scholar Walter Hooper compares Platt’s work to Lewis’s Screwtape Letters and the association is well deserved ... delicious use of the English language. Highly recommended - The Library Journal, Starred Review
My Dear Uncle Slashreap,
You ask my reactions to the letters published by one Richard Platt entitled As One Devil to Another. . . a meretricious work of imagination after the fashion of the same detestable Lewis whose witty barbs at our expense we had thought finally to be rid of. What makes it dangerously insidious is that unfortunately all of it is true. Rest assured, however, that we have done our work too well to have it undone by this resurrected Lewis. We have little to fear from the exposure of your letters and can look forward with relish to the day when we partake of this author—as our Platt du Jour!
Your loving nephew,
Scardagger
[With thanks to Dr. Sanford Lakoff, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of California, San Diego for discovering this communication.] (Scardagger )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Have you read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis? Did you enjoy a peak into such diabolical correspondence? I did. At the end of those pages I had a better understanding of the enemy that seeks to destroy. That, friends, is a positive thing, and the same can be said of Richard Platt's work As One Devil to Another.
I must admit that reading these casual (but certainly not merciful) letters between Scardagger, a Temptation University student, and his mentor and uncle, Slashreap, can unnerve a person. It is a thing to approach with caution and prayer because our depraved minds can be deceived by the words of demons. Satan is a liar and always will be. One can't forget this as they read here. This book is fiction, yes, but the premise is real:
There is a real force working against the cause of God. (Jesus is referred to as "the Adversary." It is very difficult to read that word in relationship to one's Savior, but the point is definitely driven home.)
They have a real plan.
And they use every tool possible to accomplish their goal of capturing souls for eternal damnation.
This is dark, scary stuff that is necessary to understand.
The 184 pages of this book hold a sharp indictment of our society, such as it is (and continues to become). A satire, As One Devil to Another illustrates how our "enlightenment" is the greatest tool at Satan's disposal; how he and his minions make disgusting what God intended to be beautiful; and how our own insecurities and dispositions can be malleable material for Satan if we allow it.
When I closed this book late on a Sunday night I could feel the change in my soul. Because I had allowed my eyes to flit over the darkness of Satan's work I was more prepared to fight him when my feet hit the floor the next morning. Somehow reading the lies that demons believe about Jesus (because of their own pride, I'll add) reinforced what I know to be absolutely true about my Lord. Perhaps there is a bit of irony that reading demon correspondence strengthened my faith.
I wholeheartedly recommend As One Devil to Another to those who can prayerfully wade through the pages. But beware of sharing it with one who doesn't appreciate or understand satire. They might just believe what they read.
In exchange for my honest opinion I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale.
I must admit that reading these casual (but certainly not merciful) letters between Scardagger, a Temptation University student, and his mentor and uncle, Slashreap, can unnerve a person. It is a thing to approach with caution and prayer because our depraved minds can be deceived by the words of demons. Satan is a liar and always will be. One can't forget this as they read here. This book is fiction, yes, but the premise is real:
There is a real force working against the cause of God. (Jesus is referred to as "the Adversary." It is very difficult to read that word in relationship to one's Savior, but the point is definitely driven home.)
They have a real plan.
And they use every tool possible to accomplish their goal of capturing souls for eternal damnation.
This is dark, scary stuff that is necessary to understand.
The 184 pages of this book hold a sharp indictment of our society, such as it is (and continues to become). A satire, As One Devil to Another illustrates how our "enlightenment" is the greatest tool at Satan's disposal; how he and his minions make disgusting what God intended to be beautiful; and how our own insecurities and dispositions can be malleable material for Satan if we allow it.
When I closed this book late on a Sunday night I could feel the change in my soul. Because I had allowed my eyes to flit over the darkness of Satan's work I was more prepared to fight him when my feet hit the floor the next morning. Somehow reading the lies that demons believe about Jesus (because of their own pride, I'll add) reinforced what I know to be absolutely true about my Lord. Perhaps there is a bit of irony that reading demon correspondence strengthened my faith.
I wholeheartedly recommend As One Devil to Another to those who can prayerfully wade through the pages. But beware of sharing it with one who doesn't appreciate or understand satire. They might just believe what they read.
In exchange for my honest opinion I received a free copy of this book from Tyndale.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A. Wencl
Format:Paperback
The cover of As One Devil to Another by Richard Platt describes the book as "A fiendish correspondence in the tradition of C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters." As a fan of Lewis' original work, I found this book to be an equally quick read and very similar to the original work.
The Screwtape Letters takes place in England during the 1940s. This book, on the other hand, takes place during modern times and follows a chain of letters mostly from Slashreap to Scardagger, the former being the brother of Screwtape and the latter being the cousin of Wormwood from the original story.
Some time has passed since the 1940s, and Slashreap's assessment of humanity's foibles and our modern era serve as the greatest value of the book to modern readers. However, as Lewis said in his preface to the original and Platt echoes in his own, "Readers are advised to remember that the devil is a liar. Not everything that Screwtape says should be assumed to be true even from his own angle... There is wishful thinking in Hell as well as on earth."
That is a warning to anyone reading this book because the nature of the letters requires the reader to think about what he is reading and do a kind of inversion in his mind to arrive at the positive truth that Platt hopes to communicate. If you've read Lewis, you should know that he wasn't exactly biblical in everything he affirmed. Indeed, the whole premise of Hell and punishment in these two books affirms the silly notion that Satan and his followers rule Hell and that the end result of humans who go there is annihilation. Again, it is the assessment of human nature and culture that is the most benefit to the read and everything should be weighed by Scripture.
A few of the more prominent problem areas include:
- Salvation is available for fallen angels: "He [God] even has put about the ridiculous fiction that He willingly died for us as well, and would welcome us through the gates of Heaven if only we would choose to lay down our arms and return"
- There is a bit of a moral quagmire due to one character choosing not to seek treatment for cancer. Slashreap finds this a bad thing, so we are to assume it is a good thing. Yet whatever positive spin we could give a decision like that, the book was a little remiss, saying, "There will be no long years of dependency, no nursing home, no operating theatre, no recovery time..."
- Human salvation is decidedly man-centric, focusing on us and our ability to choose to love God. This isn't far from where Lewis himself was, but then again, it isn't far from where Pelagius was either.
- There is a conversion in the book brought about by the ghostly appearance of a Christian who had died. This alone is problematic. But the worse part is that the conversion is limited to the person having now developed a "transformation of faith." In no place is Christ mentioned as the basis of the character's salvation.
Overall though, I can't help but say this book was a pleasure to read. It bears Lewis' imprint, but only as a copy. The true masterpiece is, and likely will remain, the original work, The Screwtape Letters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my opinion as expressed in this review.
The Screwtape Letters takes place in England during the 1940s. This book, on the other hand, takes place during modern times and follows a chain of letters mostly from Slashreap to Scardagger, the former being the brother of Screwtape and the latter being the cousin of Wormwood from the original story.
Some time has passed since the 1940s, and Slashreap's assessment of humanity's foibles and our modern era serve as the greatest value of the book to modern readers. However, as Lewis said in his preface to the original and Platt echoes in his own, "Readers are advised to remember that the devil is a liar. Not everything that Screwtape says should be assumed to be true even from his own angle... There is wishful thinking in Hell as well as on earth."
That is a warning to anyone reading this book because the nature of the letters requires the reader to think about what he is reading and do a kind of inversion in his mind to arrive at the positive truth that Platt hopes to communicate. If you've read Lewis, you should know that he wasn't exactly biblical in everything he affirmed. Indeed, the whole premise of Hell and punishment in these two books affirms the silly notion that Satan and his followers rule Hell and that the end result of humans who go there is annihilation. Again, it is the assessment of human nature and culture that is the most benefit to the read and everything should be weighed by Scripture.
A few of the more prominent problem areas include:
- Salvation is available for fallen angels: "He [God] even has put about the ridiculous fiction that He willingly died for us as well, and would welcome us through the gates of Heaven if only we would choose to lay down our arms and return"
- There is a bit of a moral quagmire due to one character choosing not to seek treatment for cancer. Slashreap finds this a bad thing, so we are to assume it is a good thing. Yet whatever positive spin we could give a decision like that, the book was a little remiss, saying, "There will be no long years of dependency, no nursing home, no operating theatre, no recovery time..."
- Human salvation is decidedly man-centric, focusing on us and our ability to choose to love God. This isn't far from where Lewis himself was, but then again, it isn't far from where Pelagius was either.
- There is a conversion in the book brought about by the ghostly appearance of a Christian who had died. This alone is problematic. But the worse part is that the conversion is limited to the person having now developed a "transformation of faith." In no place is Christ mentioned as the basis of the character's salvation.
Overall though, I can't help but say this book was a pleasure to read. It bears Lewis' imprint, but only as a copy. The true masterpiece is, and likely will remain, the original work, The Screwtape Letters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my opinion as expressed in this review.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By J. Lalonde
Format:Paperback
Platt wrote an engaging story that reminded me very much of C.S. Lewis. As One Devil almost came across as an extension of The Screwtape Letters.
The styling was perfect. Short chapters, or letters, that gripped my attention and made me want to continue reading.
Though sometimes Platt was much more abrasive and blunt than Lewis was. Platt held back few punches.
If you're looking for an engaging read, you've found it here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Tyndale. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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."
The styling was perfect. Short chapters, or letters, that gripped my attention and made me want to continue reading.
Though sometimes Platt was much more abrasive and blunt than Lewis was. Platt held back few punches.
If you're looking for an engaging read, you've found it here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Tyndale. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
My dear Slopgibbet...
My dear Slopgibbet,
I understand your client has recently perused a book by a certain Platt who has attempted to follow in the detestable footsteps of one of the... Read more
I understand your client has recently perused a book by a certain Platt who has attempted to follow in the detestable footsteps of one of the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Anson Cassel Mills
4.0 out of 5 stars
a fun way to glimpse into the spiritual warfare we all struggle with
If you enjoyed the Screwtape letters book from CS Lewis, you are bound to love One Devil to Another! Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. Sullivan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky, different, FUN!
I wanted a change of pace when I requested As One Devil to Another by Richard Platt and I totally found it! This book is a throwback of sorts. Read more
Published 3 months ago by denise
5.0 out of 5 stars
A modern Screwtape Letters
I love CS Lewis. He was a brilliant man.
Scary, poignant, and full of truth, an uncle sends his nephew training on how to deceive humans. Read more
Scary, poignant, and full of truth, an uncle sends his nephew training on how to deceive humans. Read more
Published 4 months ago by rmweatherford1s
4.0 out of 5 stars
C.S. Lewis revised and updated
Perhaps even more germane than the Screwtape letters. especially relevant for today's generation. It's good food gor thought and meditation.
Published 4 months ago by Dave Waarvik
3.0 out of 5 stars
eh...
I rated this book a 2.5, as I believe that it will appeal only to very a specific audience. The writing is done well, but in an older style (to imitate that of the original). Read more
Published 5 months ago by Carrie Kerbs
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too Close for Comfort
I am a die hard C.S. Lewis fan, so when this book showed up, I must admit I was intrigued. Very soon into the book, I realized that I would be disappointed. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Hsty*Frk72
4.0 out of 5 stars
Devils Write Letters, Not Emails
In the footsteps of Lewis comes a new installment in the devilish pen pal genre. As One Devil to Another picks up where Screwtape Letters left off with a new eager apprentice... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Kevin C. Procter
5.0 out of 5 stars
A worthy modern effort in homage to Screwtape letters
The subtitle " a fiendish correspondence in the tradition of C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape letters" tells it all. Walter Hooper, biographer and editor of C.S. Read more
Published 7 months ago by colossal
3.0 out of 5 stars
a mediocre imitation of C. S. Lewis
I knew someone, sooner or later, would imitate C. S. Lewis and his classic Screwtape Letters. I remember reading Screwtape Letters (a couple of times). Read more
Published 7 months ago by Joan N.
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