As One Devil to Another: A Fiendish Correspondence in the Tradition of C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters [Paperback]

Richard Platt (Author), Walter Hooper (Preface)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2012

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.

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 )

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale Momentum (March 28, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414371667
• ISBN-13: 978-1414371665
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a fantastic peek! April 16, 2012

By Ashley Taylor

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Did Platt find a lost-long work of C.S. Lewis? April 15, 2012

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."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read April 3, 2012

By ThriftyMommy08

Format:Paperback

"As One Devil To Another" by Richard Platt is one of the most interesting books I have read recently. This book tells the story of two devils - Scardagger, who is a new Cadet, and his mentor and uncle, Slashreap. The book is written in a series of letters from Scardagger to Slashreap, directing him in the ways to corrupt and manipulate people. We only see the letters to Slashreap, but can easily infer what Slashreap's letters said based on the responses that Scardagger gives in his. "As One Devil To Another" is interesting as it discusses the ways in which these devils work at separating us from God. It's almost a playbook for the ways that these devils work. This book is written in the same style as classical literature, which does make it slightly harder to read if you aren't used to that particular style, but I really loved it. I think this book was clever, insightful, and original.