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

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.

Taking souls is by no means an easy task. "As One Devil to Another" is a unique work from Richard Platt, scholar on literary legend C. S. Lewis. Spinning a tale of demons trying to lure a lost soul away from Heaven into Hell, taking notes from Lewis's style and presenting a contemporary yet timeless tale, "As One Devil to Another" is a strong pick for literary fiction collections, not to be overlooked for fans of C. S. Lewis.--The Midwest Book Review

Not many would have the guts to take a modern twist on a C.S. Lewis classic, but author Richard Platt has done just that with his first novel "As One Devil to Another."With equally as curious names, "As One Devil to Another" is the letter correspondence of Slashreap to his nephew Scardagger. The young devil is an outstanding "cadet" at Temptation University, and Slashreap is more than happy to take such a promising mischief-maker under this diabolical wing. It is his job to ensure that humans (also known as "clients") are drawn away from God, their "Adversary," and pulled closer to their own inherent knack for sinful self-destruction."As One Devil to Another" is virtually "Screwtape Letters" 2.0. Although we are dealing with different devils, different clients (in this version, the client is a university female graduate student), the similarities between Platt's book and Lewis's are abundant--even down to the similarly affectionate salutations. These devils are still up to manipulating situations, exploiting weaknesses and capitalizing on spiritual blindness . . . and their methods haven't changed. What Platt offers is the same devilish disturbances brought into today's world. For example, the reader gets to see this devil boast in corrupting God's design for sexuality with the "Sexual Revolution" and the dangers of allowing mass media to tell Christians how to live.At the end of the read, you have to tip your hat to Platt, because "As One Devil to Another" is enlightening and causes any reader to look inward at the presence of God that is already within him or her. It also provokes readers to see the abundance of ways in which the Enemy is desperately trying to get them away from knowing such a power exists in them.For obvious reasons, this book will appeal to ravenous C.S. Lewis fans, although, chances are, they will read it with a critical eye in light of their devotion of the original. New readers to the genre will enjoy "As One Devil to Another" merely for its interesting take on the spiritual life.--Beliefnet.com

With correspondence appearing [in homage] to "Screwtape Letters," the author playfully and fiendishly employs a demon whom the uncle is attempting to instruct in devilish beliefs and further tricks following his recent graduation from "Tempt U." Slashreap and his young protege, Scardagger, effectively prod and poke each other, and the reader gains insight into the spiritual realm and about the human condition, showing that God is always at cross-purposes with His adversary, but also how He uses Satan's wiles for His own intent. An unexpected twist at the end and the author's storytelling skills make "As One Devil to Another" a thoughtful and sometimes humorous read. "Top Pick"--Christian Retailing Magazine

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

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

Taking souls is by no means an easy task. As One Devil to Another is a unique work from Richard Platt, scholar on literary legend C. S. Lewis. Spinning a tale of demons trying to lure a lost soul away from Heaven into Hell, taking notes from Lewis's style and presenting a contemporary yet timeless tale, As One Devil to Another is a strong pick for literary fiction collections, not to be overlooked for fans of C. S. Lewis.--The Midwest Book Review

With correspondence appearing [in homage] to Screwtape Letters, the author playfully and fiendishly employs a demon whom the uncle is attempting to instruct in devilish beliefs and further tricks following his recent graduation from "Tempt U." Slashreap and his young protege, Scardagger, effectively prod and poke each other, and the reader gains insight into the spiritual realm and about the human condition, showing that God is always at cross-purposes with His adversary, but also how He uses Satan's wiles for His own intent. An unexpected twist at the end and the author's storytelling skills make As One Devil to Another a thoughtful and sometimes humorous read. "Top Pick"--Christian Retailing Magazine

Not many would have the guts to take a modern twist on a C.S. Lewis classic, but author Richard Platt has done just that with his first novel As One Devil to Another.

With equally as curious names, As One Devil to Another is the letter correspondence of Slashreap to his nephew Scardagger. The young devil is an outstanding "cadet" at Temptation University, and Slashreap is more than happy to take such a promising mischief-maker under this diabolical wing. It is his job to ensure that humans (also known as "clients") are drawn away from God, their "Adversary," and pulled closer to their own inherent knack for sinful self-destruction.

As One Devil to Another is virtually Screwtape Letters 2.0. Although we are dealing with different devils, different clients (in this version, the client is a university female graduate student), the similarities between Platt's book and Lewis's are abundant--even down to the similarly affectionate salutations. These devils are still up to manipulating situations, exploiting weaknesses and capitalizing on spiritual blindness . . . and their methods haven't changed. What Platt offers is the same devilish disturbances brought into today's world. For example, the reader gets to see this devil boast in corrupting God's design for sexuality with the "Sexual Revolution" and the dangers of allowing mass media to tell Christians how to live.

At the end of the read, you have to tip your hat to Platt, because As One Devil to Another is enlightening and causes any reader to look inward at the presence of God that is already within him or her. It also provokes readers to see the abundance of ways in which the Enemy is desperately trying to get them away from knowing such a power exists in them.

For obvious reasons, this book will appeal to ravenous C.S. Lewis fans, although, chances are, they will read it with a critical eye in light of their devotion of the original. New readers to the genre will enjoy As One Devil to Another merely for its interesting take on the spiritual life.--Beliefnet.com