For the perfect, quick autumnal read on a chilly day, C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters offers an entertaining and satirical take on how demonic influence weaves itself into the world around us. It isn’t as dark or obvious as one might expect, but rather subtle – sneaky and seemingly innocent, so much so that most people don’t even notice it happening.

The letters are written by Screwtape, a senior demon mentoring his nephew Wormwood, who has just been assigned his first “patient.” These “patients” are humans the demons attempt to draw away from God. Wormwood’s patient is a young man living in World War II–era England, surrounded by the crumbling secular world of his time. At first glance, he seems like an easy target. Yet, as Screwtape warns, war often drives humans not to despair, but toward “the Enemy” (which, of course, from the demons’ perspective, means Christ).

Through this creative inversion, Lewis teaches profound lessons about temptation and the spiritual life – all through the chillingly clever voice of a demon. The Screwtape Letters remains witty, insightful, and strikingly relevant today, a timeless read for believers of all ages.

To make the book even more accessible, the Hallow app recently launched a Screwtape Challenge around Halloween, presented as a two-week podcast series. Most episodes feature dramatic readings by Jim Caviezel (known for his portrayal of Jesus in The Passion of the Christ), paired with reflections from a priest unpacking Lewis’s text. The weekend episodes, which I found especially fascinating, include discussions on possession and demonic influence by real exorcist Msgr. Stephen Rossetti of the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal.

I highly recommend reading The Screwtape Letters alongside the Hallow challenge – it’s a deeply informative experience that perfectly captures the Memento Mori spirit of the season.

You can check out the challenge here!