My Dear Hemlock

The Screwtape Letters is one of my all-time favorite books. So naturally, I was excited—and admittedly a little skeptical—about reading My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay, inspired by Lewis’s classic. The premise of this work explores an intriguing twist: what if Screwtape tempted a woman?

Following Lewis’ style, Dillehay crafts a series of correspondences between Madame Hoaxrot and her protégé, Hemlock, as they strategize to tempt a young Christian woman. The book delves into themes of womanhood, addressing areas ripe for spiritual attack, such as motherhood, spousal discontentment, friendships with other women, aging, and even emotional affairs.

I approached this book with both anticipation and doubt, but I must say Dillehay exceeded my expectations. She skillfully captures the wit and incisiveness of Lewis’s original style while tailoring the content for a new generation of readers, particularly women. The writing is witty, humorous, and spiritually rich. Her insights into the female psyche are sharp, convicting, and often encouraging. I particularly benefited from the chapters on confession and perverse desires. 

Though this book targets women, I am not sure I found it more relatable than The Screwtape Letters. Furthermore, a good chunk of the book addressed topics specific to wives and mothers that I personally couldn’t relate to.

One thing that surprised me about this book was the lack of focus on sins of the tongue, like gossip. I expected this kind of sin to feature in a book that addresses temptations women gravitate to.

Overall, My Dear Hemlock is an excellent book that pays homage to The Screwtape Letters while offering something fresh and relevant. If you’re a fan of Lewis’s classic (and who isn’t?), you’ll find much to enjoy here. I highly recommend this book to Christian women. Although it is written for women, men might find its insights into the female mind equally enlightening.