"I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian."

There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight. [C.S. Lewis, Preface, The Screwtape Letters]

Yesterday I received my copy of Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre production of The Screwtape Letters. Screwtape is voiced by Andy Serkis, who was both voice and motion model for Gollum in the Lord of the Ring films. Geoffrey Palmer, who many of us have enjoyed in the British series "As Time Goes By," does Lewis. C.S. Lewis's stepson, Douglas Gresham, speaks as himself. There are several other actors in the dramatization as well — and that's what this is, not an audio book like the very well done reading of Screwtape by John Cleese, but a full scale audio play.

Although I've only had time to listen to a portion of it so far my impression is extremely favorable. There are four CDs and, in addition, for those who want a complete aural experience, the entire program is also provided on a DVD with 5.1 surround sound [there are several video documentaries on the DVD too].

I anticipate several enjoyable and instructive hours revisiting The Screwtape Letters in this form. It has actually been years since I read the entire book so I may have forgotten enough that much of the content will seem new.

If you are thinking about buying it, my impression is that the best price is to be had at the official site.