Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold

C S Lewis

beautiful and moving and fascinating and profound all at once. can anyone read that scene between...more

beautiful and moving and fascinating and profound all at once. can anyone read that scene between orual and psyche, when orual realizes that either she doesn't see what psyche sees or psyche sees something that's not there, without feeling something break inside? and then to consider what such a scene suggests about faith, belief, hope, despair, love, everything that's most vital to our souls... and that's just one scene. my favorite line - i might get this wrong, it's out of my head and it's been a while since i've read it: "i know now, lord, why you give no answer. you are yourself the answer. before your face, questions die away..." although i have to add, i also think this book gives one much to think about in terms of its portrayal of women, beauty, femininity, etc. eg - psyche the fair, the innocent, the sacrificial virgin, whose love is so pure it subsists on faith alone, opposite orual the ugly beats all the woman out of herself, whose love devours and destroys. one can always read this story above any gender-related issues but, well, it does make one think, that's all...   hide

Till We Have Faces resonated with my soul from the first read. His ability to characterize the...more

Till We Have Faces resonated with my soul from the first read. His ability to characterize the difficulties of apprehending the divine nature against the backdrop of personal loss and the selfishness of suffering provoke sympathy and horror in the vein of the greek tragedy the book imitates. However difficult the tale and the struggle, Lewis does not abandon the reader to a dark, pagan fatalism; he turns the inner war of spiritual antagonism on its hardened edge and offers a realistic but gentle estimation of the human need to "see their own face." Grand in its premise and execution, sometimes difficult to interpret at first glance, Lewis still retains the warm charm with words and character that makes his works of apologetics and fiction so infinitely readable. I've read it numerous times and it still rewards. People remember Lewis most fondly for Narnia and the strong allegorical content, but Lewis will be celebrated for Till We Have Faces and its mythological exploration of pain and faith.   hide

I first read this book when I was studying art photography in Oxford, England, and had got to spend...more

I first read this book when I was studying art photography in Oxford, England, and had got to spend a day taking shots out at the Kilns. That was over 12 years ago, and it is still one of my favorites for the way it makes my head spin with a tapestry of allusion used to illustrate the nature of faith. TWHF is perhaps the best example of Lewis' use of "instances" or "cases", those were Lewis' term for how a character could represent one truth in one instance and could signify another truth in a different case. In TWHF, the main example of this is Psyche. Lewis felt writing in allegory, like he tried in _A_Pilgrim's_Regress_, was far to confining and stiff. For a little musical treat, try to get your hands on first release from an Ohio band, called Over the Rhine. Their first CD is _Till_We_Have_Faces.   hide

This is my fourth or fifth time reading this book and each time I learn more, yet am still struck...more

This is my fourth or fifth time reading this book and each time I learn more, yet am still struck by its truth and depth. It is amazing to see the "heroine" go through character growth right before your eyes. She learns so many things about her life and her not-so-pure motives in life. This books is so powerful because just when you think all is hopeless for her in her self-made psychological prison, she gets a second chance at life and love. The book really puts life in perspective. It is a pity that so few people know about or have read this book, since Lewis himself felt it was his best fictional work. I heartily agree.   hide

This book should be required reading for the human race. It is my all-time favourite book. I...more

This book should be required reading for the human race. It is my all-time favourite book. I re-read it every year, and every time I read it I see new things in it, and learn truths about myself. The story in itself is compelling enough that, on its own, if you were just to read it as a story - as entertainment - you would not be disappointed. However, there is so much more to be gained from this beautiful retelling of the greek myth of Psyche and Cupid. Written in the first person, this tale looks through the eyes of Psyche's older sister, and takes you on her spiritual journey of truth. It's when you find that her journey is your journey - everyone's journey - that you have found what a treasure this book truly is.    hide