‘You are yourself the answer.’C.S. Lewis, the legendary author behind the beloved Narnia series, was a firm believer in the power of myth. By weaving complex ideas into a story, Lewis argued that ‘we do not retreat from reality: we rediscover it.’ This is perfectly illustrated in Till We Have Faces, Lewis’ final novel—and the one he personally considered his masterpiece. In this book, Lewis explores his deepest theological ideas through a mythical narrative, while simultaneously allowing readers...

Note, Oct. 31, 2023: I've just edited this review to correct a typo.Although I count C. S. Lewis as a favorite author, and had nominally had this retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche (based on the version recounted by the 2nd-century A.D. Latin author Apuleius in his Metamorphoses, or The Golden Ass; Lewis summarizes that version here in an author's note at the end) on my to-read list for some time, I'd probably never have read it if it hadn't been a common read in my Fans of British ...

“When the time comes to you at which you will be forced at last to utter the speech which has lain at the center of your soul for years which you have, all that time, idiot-like, been saying over and over, you’ll not talk about the joy of words. I saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly, nor let us answer. Till that word can be dug out of us, why should they hear the babble that we think we mean? How can they meet us face to face till we have faces?” This book is something rare and ex...

This seems to be the perfect time of year to dive into a stack of books focused on retelling classic Greek myths!Perennial favorite C. S. Lewis went out of his way to reimagine the story of Psyche and Cupid from the perspective of Orual, the "ugly" sister, and it is a truly masterfully told tale. Lewis admits he uses the original as a template, but he crafts a much more psychological and grounded narrative than the source material. He pulls it off delightfully, filling the pages with Orual's obs...

2020 Update: Simply undone. I read this for the first time when I was 18, I believe. In many ways, over the last 40 years, I have lived this story. Tonight, I miss my Psyche, Emily. I have read Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis over and over again. It is perhaps the book I have reread more than any other. I used to read it because I didn't quite get it and felt I should. Now, I love it. Listening to the audiobook version narrated by Nadia May this time, I truly became Orual—so full of self-decept...

Psychologists have long understood that every person carries two fundamental longings: the need to be loved and the need to love. Yet, when life brings heartache and pressure, many abandon the hope of ever finding that connection. To me, these truths perfectly summarize the message C.S. Lewis intended to convey in his most mature work—and his personal favorite—Till We Have Faces. The story follows Orual, a woman burdened by her own perceived ugliness, who loves her beautiful younger sister, Psyc...

Stupendous. World class. Top drawer. I finished an audio version of Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis in August of 2016. I have read this book a total of three times now. The first time was when I was young, and I honestly didn't like it. The second time was in 2003, and I thought it was great. This time around, it felt even greater. If you are looking for a must-read classic or a deep literary analysis, this is a masterpiece worth your time.

A must-read for any C.S. Lewis fan. He began writing Till We Have Faces as an unbeliever—crafting a case against God—and finished it some 30 years later, fully converted. Because it feels almost autobiographical, you get a genuine sense of his own spiritual awakening. It is widely claimed to be his personal favorite work. The title is drawn from the scripture: "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Bett...

Ironically, though C.S. Lewis considered this to be his best work, it remains surprisingly under the radar. Even among self-proclaimed Lewis fans, Till We Have Faces is rarely read; many don't even know it exists. Among the few who do, I suspect a significant number feign ignorance just to avoid diving into its pages. Perhaps it’s because the book is often pigeonholed as a dense, scholarly, or overly theological work. The drab covers the story is frequently subjected to certainly don't help matt...

Often cited as one of C.S. Lewis’s most underrated works of fiction, Till We Have Faces is a masterful retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth. It paints a vivid, haunting picture of how selfish human love can be, and the lengths we will go to protect it. This is a must-read book review for anyone seeking profound literary fiction. The narrative humbles the reader as the heroine transforms from a pitiable victim into the story’s chief antagonist. As we watch her journey, we realize that we are he...