The Devil's Inbox

By Barbara Laymon

The Devil's Inbox is an insightful, informative, and clever survey of the Christian life. Modeled on C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, Laymon's books presents the life of faith with all its ups and downs, joys and temptations. The devilish Anasthesia communicates with tempter-in-training, Termite, via e-mail. We meet their victim as a young woman and witness her struggles with faith throughout the stages of her life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806649453
• ISBN13: 9780806649450
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Fortress Pr
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.5" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

A CONTEMPORARY RETELLING OF THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS

This little book is anything but little. Although I read The Screwtape Letters years ago and was impacted by its message, I gained more from The Devil's Inbox due to its insight into the trials and temptations that women face as they journey from being single and young to being a wife and mother to facing death. Truly a "keeper".

A worthy successor to Screwtape

The Screwtape Letters was the first C.S. Lewis book I read, and it is a favorite of mine. After reading Narnia to my children when they were young, we reintroduced them to Lewis as teenagers via Screwtape. So, I was looking forward to reading the Devil's Inbox, but was tempted not to because of the very negative review it received from one reader. Gratefully, I read it anyway, and was not disappointed in the least. It was, in fact, more poignant, humorous and relevant than I had hoped it might be. I found myself on every page! Some readers may have trouble with the female orientation of the book, but, as a woman, I loved that about it. Being human, I could cetainly relate to the male victim in Screwtape, but as a female I relate much more closely to the victim in Laymon's book. And, although human nature may not change, popular culture has certainly changed over the past fifty years. I think Laymon did an excellent job updating the devil's tactics to suit today's societal norms and expectations. As far as the editing, I wanted a longer book, not a shorter one since I enjoyed every single page. In brief, Ms. Laymon's theology may or may not be identical in every respect to that of Mr. Lewis- I don't know. I do think whether you believe in MH (Mother Hen), you don't believe in MH, or you don't know if there is a MH, you will find plenty to laugh about and think about in the Devil's Inbox.

A modern day C.S. Lewis

Modeled on the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, the Devil's Inbox tells a spiritually addicting story about one of Satan's agents who is assigned to corrupt an American woman. Throughout the course of the book, gnawingirl (Satan's henchman), broadsides our courageous protagonist hoping she will forsake God and give up hope. Our heroine faces devilishly designed obstacles such as relationship problems, career disappointment, mischeivous children, and battles with cancer. Throughout the book and with every new battle, the author provides amusing anecdotes as well as rich theological insights. For those of you who find meaning in the book of Job and are looking for a novel that is both a quick read and religiously enlightening, the Devil's Inbox is a must.

Definitely derivative, but incredibly hilarious

It's obvious that Barbara Laymon has read her C.S. Lewis, because the basic premise of this book is very similar. A young demon, Termite, receive regular communications (h-mails) from her advisor, Anesthesia, as to the best way to ensare her "victim" as the woman progresses from college through adulthood, including marriage and motherhood. The e-mail (excuse me) "h-mail" format works well, allowing for an immediate glimpse into the "victim's" day-to-day life, and her ongoing struggles with issues like her weight problem or a gossiping church group. The subtle infighting between Anesthesia and Termite is hilarious, as are the not-so-patient corrections Anesthesia makes of her young protege (who appears fairly thick) - through them, I found myself observing all of the tiny ways I get in my own way. The ending was especially great.Although there were one or two subtle political sentiments I disagree with, this is still going on my gift list for those who are wrestling with what is core to a life of faith.

A Fantastic Book for Our Modern Times

Any reader of C. S. Lewis would enjoy this book. Provides a wonderful collection of emails to the tempter Termite, and we see indirectly how a young woman deals with modernity and the choices society and life offers. Laymon is humorous, insightful, and thought provoking. Every woman and man concerned with a Christian life or just our modern life should read.