The Scuttlebutt Letters (Hardback) by

Scuttlebutt (naval slang for the ship’s gossip) is the affectionate nickname given to the tongue by his correspondent in these letters. The letter–writer reprimands the tongue for steering the whole person into catastrophe, for enjoying little morsels of gossip, for creating smokescreens of lies.

But it turns out that you can’t change the tongue without changing the heart. And once the heart encounters the true Word, the tongue’s words becomes even more important, as it becomes praisemaker, doxologist and theologian. An encouraging short book for anyone who struggles to keep their words under control.

Selected commendations:

"Natalie Brand has written in a disarming style, and with frightening accuracy, of the way our tongues get out of control with gossip, exaggeration, lies, deflection, boasting, ridicule and more. I was not sure at times whether to laugh, wince or cry, but it is a healthy reflection leading to repentance, as we place our trust in the one who spoke with truth, wisdom and grace."

Graham Nicholls, Director, Affinity

"If everything you say is always loving and life–giving then you can give this book a miss. For the rest of us, The Scuttlebutt Letters is a great resource. Drawing deeply on biblical wisdom, its intriguing and engaging presentation hits home time after time. It not only dissects the good and bad of our speech; it offers true hope."

Tim Chester, Author and senior faculty at Crosslands Training

"Not since we last heard from Wormwood’s uncle, has an author so masterfully employed Lewis’s Screwtape motif to simultaneously entertain, expose, convict and challenge the human heart. This book is a sanctified riot!"

Reggie Weems, Pastor; C.S. Lewis researcher

"A modern allegory to deal with the age–old problem of keeping our lips under control … clever, funny and a powerful reminder that at heart it is our hearts which need changing."

Ros Clarke, Associate Director, Church Society

"Natalie has written a rare jewel – something not only deliciously playful but also theologically rich and deeply convicting. With deftly crafted, witty prose, she ultimately leads our convicted hearts and tongues to the sweetest Word, Christ himself."

Felicity Carswell and Sarah Dargue, Hosts: Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea podcast

Title

The Scuttlebutt Letters
Author(s)

Natalie Brand
ISBN

9781527111165
Format

Hardback
Publisher

Christian Focus Publications
Audience

Adults
Pages

96
Published

05/01/2024

Overall rating

4.5 based on 6 reviews

A unique take on controlling the tongue

What, I hear you ask, is a scuttlebutt? Historically, scuttlebutt is naval slang for the ship's gossip. This, alongside the subtitle, may give you a hint as to what this book is about. The style is very different to many other books. The book consists of letters sent from the heart to the tongue. If you've read the brilliant Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, you’ll find Natalie Brand's approach is similar here. A range of topics are covered such as lying, insults, flattery, criticism and other sins our tongues are quick to commit. There’s even a chapter on social media. The quirky letter format allows Brand to be very direct and yet in a way which doesn't come across as hyper-critical. A short book, it only took just over an hour for me to read, and yet I was challenged in each chapter.

Bethan

Something which (quite literally) packs a punch

Some book reviews are written to show how one is clever, learned, or erudite, instead of actually being a book review.* After reading this book, I thought that this is how my review should look like: " ." (I've told by a friend of mine, who is a Brit himself, that British people won't necessarily understand that. OK, here's my explanation: reading this book was painful. Made me want to shut my mouth for ever.) But I guess that would not satisfy anyone, who stumbles upon this review. What the author does there, is that through irony she shows what Jeremiah said in the Bible: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (17:9, KJV). Following what James says in his letter, she makes a point, time and again, that while tongue might be an assassin (and the heart would say 'and the one without a creed...**), but it's the heart which pulls the strings. So I can rip my tongue out, but how to rip my soul (or 'heart') out without dying? But that's what is needed, she says, death to self. And, of course, she shows the power of the One who can do just that, without leaving you dead but giving you the new nature, new life, new heart. It is Natalie Brand's best book, one that merits returning to. Do yourself (and others!!!) a favour. Buy it, read it, and re-read it.

* but hopefully not this one, although one does wonder how many reviews I have penned that fit the bill just right.

**thankfully that's not from the book, you can only blame me for this cheesy comment.

Andrzej

a book to return to often

Some book reviews are written to show how one is clever, learned, or erudite, instead of actually being a book review.* After reading this book, I thought that this is how my review should look like: ' .' (I've told by a friend of mine, who is a Brit himself, that British people won't necessarily understand that. OK, here's my explanation: reading this book was painful. Made me want to shut my mouth for ever.) But I guess that would not satisfy anyone, who stumbles upon this review. What the author does there, is that through irony she shows what Jeremiah said in the Bible: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (17:9, KJV). Following what James says in his letter, she makes a point, time and again, that while tongue might be an assassin (and the heart would say 'and the one without a creed...**), but it's the heart that is in the driver's seat all the time. So I can rip my tongue out, but how to rip my soul (or 'heart') out without dying? But that's what is needed, she says, death to self. And, of course, she shows the power of the One who can do just that, without leaving you dead but giving you the new nature, new life, new heart. It is Natalie Brand's best book, one that merits returning to. Do yourself (and others!!!) a favour. Buy it, read it, and re-read it. * but hopefully not this one, although one does wonder how many reviews I have penned that fit the bill just right. **thankfully that's not from the book, you can only blame me for this cheesy comment.

A hard read but worth it.

Not an easy read but essential to remind us about how much havoc we can cause with our tongues and how it all springs from our deceitful hearts and self-centredness. This book is hard-hitting, witty, like looking in a mirror and extremely challenging. It is definitely not for "a perfect man"! However it points us to Christ " the perfect man" and our need for humility, daily repentance and God-centredness so that our hearts and tongues might be sanctified. Lucy

Margaret Lucienne

Tame your tongue starting with the heart.

In the style of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Screwtape Letters, the self-righteous heart of a human writes letters to the tongue, lashing it for its wickedness. How our words can damage other people in different situations is powerfully brought out with many Biblical references. Over time it becomes clear that the heart is part of the problem – this is brilliantly shown in misuse of social media when the organ of the tongue is not doing anything. The lack of grace in the first part is then transformed as the heart comes to believe the Gospel (after investigation by the wonderfully named L.O.P.I.T.O.F.F. from Matthew 5.29-30). The heart and the tongue then work together for good, praising God and building other people up. The book made me think about what I say, not just to avoid the bad, but to speak what is good. The style is humorous if a bit flowery (glossary supplied!). It would make a great and helpful gift. Yes, the tongue is a fire (James 3.6), but it can be transformed (Psalm 45.1, 149.1,6).

Stephen

Loved it!

I can't recommend this book highly enough! In a mere 95 pages Natalie Brand delivers an autopsy of the human tongue (and ultimately the human heart). She does this with a unique and captivating writing style that turns the mirror on the reader and uses humour to cleverly expose the depths of our deprived hearts. At times it made for a painful read and I laughed and cried in equal measure. Ultimately it displays both our need for God's mercy and the abundance of his grace to us. If there is one book that I would recommend to a friend (or indeed church) this year, it would be this one!

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The Scuttlebutt Letters

Natalie Brand

The Scuttlebutt Letters

Natalie Brand

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Natalie Brand