Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by C.S. Lewis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold
Book Review: God Bless C.S. Lewis
Summary: 5 Stars
Why anyone in the world would not like this book is beyond me. It is one of Lewis' best! I can't say much about it because everyone who has reviewed this has already said all that is to be said.Book Review: Lewsis at his finest
Summary: 5 Stars
CS Lewis wrote incredible works of theology and apologetics. He also wrote one of the most treasured children's book series of our time. Till We Have Faces has been overshadowed by his many other great works, and it is truly a hidden treaure. A lifelong CS Lewis myself, i can honestly tell you this is not only my favorite book by Lewis, but my favorite book by any auther and of any genre. Well worth the read, over and over again.Book Review: C. S. Lewis's Greatest Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read this book in my high school sophomore English class. I sort of enjoyed it and saw some value in it but, for the most part, it was obtuse.
A year or so after high school, I saw it in a bookstore and, since I'm an avid C. S. Lewis fan, thought that I should read it again. I'm so glad I did! It instantly became my favorite book, and defends its place up to this day.
I've talked to other people about it, who seem to come at it as if it were an allegory. If you read it that way, you will be disappointed! There is an intriguing depth to it, but as the priest says, "holy wisdom is not clear and thin like water, but thick and dark like blood." This book will give you a glimpse into the depths of reality, but not in the same way "Pilgrim's Progress" does.
I'm rereading it for probably the fourth time, and my love for it continues to deepen. You have to learn to take the story the way it is and let your understanding of it grow before you can enjoy the marvel and mystery of this book. Yes, it has a deep allegorical element in it, but it's because of what the story is, and not the other way around.
I can see why C. S. Lewis thought this was his best novel. It was also his last, and has a very personal nature to it. It is a masterpiece of modern fiction, but it seems like few see it that way. But if you love George MacDonald, J. R. R. Tolkien, or Charles Williams, you should really give this book a fair chance.
Book Review: C.S. Lewis' Most Effective Work
Summary: 5 Stars
Lewis seems to be giving the same message of Christian love in all of his literature, but he does it far more powerfully in 'Till We Have Faces' than in any of his other novels, essays, or poetry. 'Faces' is particularly effective because of its wide accessibility.
The story is essentially a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, although no familiarity with the original story is required to enjoy the novel. Orual is the oldest--and by far the ugliest--of three princesses. Istra, or Psyche, is the youngest and most fair and pure. When Istra is married to the invisible and enigmatic God of the Mountain, son of Ungit, a powerful and jealous goddess, Orual finds herself unable to accept Istra's complacency with a life filled with comforts that are invisible and undetectable to anyone but Istra and her husband. She plots to destroy Istra's happiness, masking her true intentions behind a veil of sisterly concern much like she later veils her ugly face from the world.
Orual is at once a remarkably unique character and an "everywoman." She personifies the universal weaknesses of pride and possessiveness while tempering her negative qualities with a strong sense of justice, a confidence born of her veiled ugliness, and all the other attributes one would expect to find in a great queen. Orual's narrative is full of excuses, and all but the most hardened readers will be sorely tempted to listen to them. After all, this warrior queen is torn between the world of reason presented to her by her beloved Greek tutor and the dark, bloodthirsty religion of her pagan upbringing. It's hard to blame her for her uncertainty and manipulation of the innocent Istra. She rails against the gluttonous, possessive goddess Ungit while, at the same time, becoming Ungit herself as her jealousy and confusion over her sister's good fortune and happiness combines with her growing power to turn her into a minor goddess in her own right.
The story is essentially about a convert to Christianity (Istra) who has found joy in something that simply doesn't seem to real to non-believers. Orual, who lacks her sister's faith, can not understand Istra's dedication to her invisible god. Eventually, Orual comes to see herself unveiled and naked at last. It is only then, as Istra sacrifices all to bring Orual the greatest possible gift, that the old queen understands the futility of her possessive love.
This book is a beautiful and sometimes painful examination of what it means to truly love another person. Many readers will find themselves feeling ashamed after reading the book, yet longing to read in again at the same time. Lewis' oft repeated message rings so true (ironically in a story that takes place in a pre-Christian setting) in the pages of this, his greatest novel, that everyone, Christian or not, can appreciate its power.
Book Review: Great book--meant to be read again and again
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this book to read it for the first time. It was wonderful, like all of the other works of Lewis that I have been able to read. I found myself thinking, even as I was reading it, that it would deserve a second visit. The story itself is very intriguing, but Lewis intends to communicate a lot about how we can know truth.
Highly Recommended.