Till We Have Faces

Till We Have Faces reimagines the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche through the perspective of Psyche's older sister, Orual. The story takes place in the ancient kingdom of Glome, where three princesses navigate complex relationships with each other, their father, and the mysterious gods who shape their world. Orual, the eldest princess, writes her story as both a complaint against the gods and a reflection on her deep bond with her beautiful younger sister Psyche. The narrative follows Orual's journey from childhood through her adult years as she grapples with love, jealousy, power, and faith. Lewis transforms the ancient tale into an exploration of divine-human relationships and the nature of love itself. The story raises questions about faith, perception, and the ways humans mask their true selves in their quest to understand both divine and mortal love.

Readers often call this Lewis's most complex and mature work, though less accessible than his other books. The philosophical and psychological depth resonates with many adults who reread it multiple times to uncover new layers of meaning. What readers liked: - Rich exploration of faith, love, and self-deception - Complex female protagonist - Literary retelling that surpasses the original myth - Vivid world-building and imagery What readers disliked: - Slow first half - Dense philosophical passages - Confusing narrative structure - Religious themes too subtle or heavy-handed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,100+ ratings) Common reader comment: "This book requires patience and multiple readings to fully appreciate." As one Goodreads reviewer noted: "The first time I read it, I thought it was okay. The second time, I thought it was brilliant. The third time, I realized it had changed my life."

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🔸 C. S. Lewis spent over 35 years developing and refining this novel, considering it his most mature and personal work - vastly different from his popular Narnia series. 🔸 The original myth of Cupid and Psyche first appeared in Apuleius's "The Golden Ass" (2nd century AD), the only ancient Roman novel that has survived in its entirety. 🔸 The book's title comes from a quote in the novel: "How can we meet the gods face to face till we have faces?" - reflecting the theme of self-knowledge and authentic identity. 🔸 Lewis drew inspiration from his wife Joy Davidman's insights while writing the novel, and many scholars see parallels between Orual's journey and Lewis's own spiritual struggles. 🔸 Unlike the traditional myth which focuses on Psyche's perspective, Lewis chose to tell the story through Orual's eyes, creating one of literature's earliest examples of an unreliable narrator in fantasy fiction.