The part that has stayed with me the most from my recent reading is when Orual speaks with Bardia's wife after his death. It challenges Orual's view of herself to the core; and yet the actual connection between the two women is fleeting. They unite and then immediately become hostile again. I'm still mulling this over.
Yes, what a powerful moment. The two are rivals; they’re able to connect for a moment, but their rivalry persists—even after its object is gone. It’s a telling moment. It’s also before the full awakening of grace for Orual, more like an initiating moment for her. So it’s interesting to imagine what might happen later on.
This is one of the most moving parts for me as well, and one that has stuck with me since my most recent re-read a few years ago. Unfortunately, I lent my copy to a friend, and it disappeared into the book-world ether, hopefully to find a loving reader. I’ll have to try look for another copy!
That's what happens with the best books. You buy them and read them and give them away over and over again! I find myself doing this with Willa Cather books a lot. But the top whoops-I-gave-my-copy-away-again book for me has long been Stegner's "Angle of Repose." How about you, Bridget?
I haven’t read “Angle of Repose.” I’ll have to add it to my list!
My top books that I’ve bought and lent/given away repeatedly are Till We Have Faces, The Screwtape Letters, A Canticle for Leibowitz, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
I have never gotten through the last part of "Canticle." I periodically wonder if I should try again. I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book.
"Repose" is full of brilliant character work. Its portrait of a marriage reminds me in some ways of the sort of thing Elizabeth Goudge tries to do (but Stegner's writing is very different).
It is a somewhat controversial book academically because it seems clear that Stegner relied too exactly on the Mary Hallock Foote papers, especially her correspondence (he was open about using them and had an agreement with her family, but...). I actually worked with these papers a bit when I was on staff at the Huntington Library, where they're kept; but I just find it exciting to see this part of history and American experience so brilliantly brought to life in Stegner's book. It's a wonderful book.
That’s so fascinating! I just looked up the book and Mary Hallock Foote, and I think I’m going to have to spend some free time going down that Wikipedia rabbit hole.
This is one of my favorite books on the planet and yet probably the last time I read it was 2013. I was *just* thinking that I need to reread it. Your review is confirmation.
Delighted to hear it. One of the fun things about doing these reviews are finding how many other people enjoy the same stuff I do. It’s like that bit from Lewis in The Four Loves:“Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, ’What? You too? I thought I was the only one.’”
This is one of those books a friend said she loved, let me borrow, and I just couldn’t get it, though I did finish it. I don’t think I was ready I was a freshman in college and, if I’m honest, when I think bout reading Till We Have Faces I kind of cringe remembering having to endure reading it!
In 12th grade I was forced to read Jane Eyre for summer reading and hated it. It was so long, why did I have to endure pages and pages about the moors?! Reread, it last year with a friend (20 yrs later) because it was her favorite book and she refused to let me think that way about her favorite book and it’s now one of my favorites.
I think books and timing matters. This post makes me want to pick it up and give it another try.
I think one of the things that most struck me in this last reading is how closely Oural’s final conclusion mirrors Job. She is in a way, convicted by her own lament, but the fact that she’s allowed to make it, is as she says, it’s own answer. It speaks so clearly to the power of our attempts at honesty being a way of revealing how many things we hide from ourselves. And yet, the honesty is valuable even as we realize how little we know. The “till we have faces” has always made me think of the passage in 1 Corinthians — our dim understanding being limited until, like Ourual we find we have faces that Someone can bear to look on.
The myth of Psyche is one of only two Greek myths that I actually sympathize with the characters - the other is Pandora's box, which seems like a half-remembered legend of The Fall. I think of Psyche as the archetype of both Cinderella and 'impossible task' fairytales, as well as being perhaps the most symbolic Greek myth, as it is a story of Love and the Soul.
When I first ready 'Till We have Faces', I wasn't sure I liked it, but it stayed with me. I have returned several times to it and each time liked it better. Lewis builds the ancient pagan world very convincingly - it reminds me of Rosemary Sutcliff's work in this respect, as she is generally unparalleled in her ability to recreate ancient historic periods. But further than that, and here Joy probably had some helpful input, Orual, in her agony of love and loss, is very convincing as a real woman. I am not of those who think men can never write good female characters, but Lewis, like Dickens before him, was a bit weak in this respect. He was a good observer, so could sketch a convincing woman as a secondary character, but when they became a main character, as in Perelandra or That Hideous Strength, the result was always slightly off. In 'Till We have Faces', that didn't happen.
I agree. I find his portrayal of Orual astonishing at points. I’ve heard several women I’ve discussed the book with over the years remark on the same point. I think that likely reflects the assistance of Joy.
I have felt a unique strangeness about this story. It floats somewhere outside time and space and history. Rather than looking at the world's reality and seeing a deeper meaning both revealed and hidden in it (like God's answer to Job does), it ignores all sensory evidence and convinces us of a reality that has no representation for us to examine.
Wow, and yes I think that’s true. It does have an otherworldly quality that’s hard to nail down and somehow manages to convey many truths with nothing more than nudges and suggestion. It’s an amazing achievement.
Excellent essay Joel. TWHF is my fav Lewis book hands down. In it he performs the exceedingly rare achievement of discussing deep spiritual matters as powerfully as any of his essays, yet is also entertaining and compelling as a story. Simply the best :) I loved your treatment of it. We are all orual :)
This is one of my favorite books; it's one that I've gifted people, but it's been so long since I've read it that I've forgotten most of it. I've really wanted to reread it since 2020; just need to do that one of these days!
“Though I can’t write one-tenth as well as Jack [Lewis], I can tell him how to write more like himself!” What a beautiful description of the gift of perspective and “spurring on to love and good deeds” that spouses can provide for each other.
Oh it's years since I've last read this one (I have no idea how many times I've read it, but probably at least 5)! This post has reminded me of so much I love about this book, and now I'm excited to reread it again. Thanks!
I have read through the text🇬🇧 twice✔️. Perhaps, I will eventually follow your path with a third+ reading? Three pass books are a very short list for me: Story of a Soul, Interior Castle & One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. (not counting ☦️ 🕊️ Scripture, 📚 🇷🇸 Synaxarians, 🥀🦊🌾✨🔔 Little Prince, 🎶🕯️📿 Menaions,etc)🇨🇵🇪🇦🇷🇺🇬🇷🇱🇧
Then again, there are an awful lot of volumes written over the past two millenia by men and women with an "ST" in front of their name that deserve double/ triple passes too! 🤔 PRAY FOR TRANSLATORS, Grace and peace to you! Σοφία Χάρης Αγάπη Δόξα 🔥🌾🍇⛪🌐
Like Frank Zappa said, “So many books, so little time…” One book by men with “St” in front of their names that I enjoy rereading: Augustine’s Confessions. I’ve read it nearly as many times as Till We Have Faces.
How surprising that I stumbled upon this post this morning. I am one third into Till We Have Faces. Having read several versions of the Psyche and Cupid myth, I agree that something is lacking. Waiting to see Lewis's take on it. Thanks!
I taught it in a senior seminar on the works of Lewis and the high schooler liked it. Every time I read it I se something new. As I understand it, it was the novel that Lewis liked best.
One of my all time favorites, also! Everytime I read this book, it makes me consider ways of loving rightly or wrongly. After all, love is love! But to consider not love as we like it, but rather its results, is another thing altogether. Lewis himself visits this idea, but TWHF always make the more powerful statement.
The part that has stayed with me the most from my recent reading is when Orual speaks with Bardia's wife after his death. It challenges Orual's view of herself to the core; and yet the actual connection between the two women is fleeting. They unite and then immediately become hostile again. I'm still mulling this over.
Yes, what a powerful moment. The two are rivals; they’re able to connect for a moment, but their rivalry persists—even after its object is gone. It’s a telling moment. It’s also before the full awakening of grace for Orual, more like an initiating moment for her. So it’s interesting to imagine what might happen later on.
Choosing not to fully resolve the rivalry in this moment of recognition is a fascinating and, I think, masterful choice on Lewis' part.
Agreed.
This is one of the most moving parts for me as well, and one that has stuck with me since my most recent re-read a few years ago. Unfortunately, I lent my copy to a friend, and it disappeared into the book-world ether, hopefully to find a loving reader. I’ll have to try look for another copy!
That's what happens with the best books. You buy them and read them and give them away over and over again! I find myself doing this with Willa Cather books a lot. But the top whoops-I-gave-my-copy-away-again book for me has long been Stegner's "Angle of Repose." How about you, Bridget?
I haven’t read “Angle of Repose.” I’ll have to add it to my list!
My top books that I’ve bought and lent/given away repeatedly are Till We Have Faces, The Screwtape Letters, A Canticle for Leibowitz, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
I have never gotten through the last part of "Canticle." I periodically wonder if I should try again. I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book.
"Repose" is full of brilliant character work. Its portrait of a marriage reminds me in some ways of the sort of thing Elizabeth Goudge tries to do (but Stegner's writing is very different).
It is a somewhat controversial book academically because it seems clear that Stegner relied too exactly on the Mary Hallock Foote papers, especially her correspondence (he was open about using them and had an agreement with her family, but...). I actually worked with these papers a bit when I was on staff at the Huntington Library, where they're kept; but I just find it exciting to see this part of history and American experience so brilliantly brought to life in Stegner's book. It's a wonderful book.
That’s so fascinating! I just looked up the book and Mary Hallock Foote, and I think I’m going to have to spend some free time going down that Wikipedia rabbit hole.
Have fun!
Agree!
This is one of my favorite books on the planet and yet probably the last time I read it was 2013. I was *just* thinking that I need to reread it. Your review is confirmation.
Delighted to hear it. One of the fun things about doing these reviews are finding how many other people enjoy the same stuff I do. It’s like that bit from Lewis in The Four Loves:“Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, ’What? You too? I thought I was the only one.’”
I *also* love that quote. 😄 I can imagine that would be a fun part of the reviews.
This is one of those books a friend said she loved, let me borrow, and I just couldn’t get it, though I did finish it. I don’t think I was ready I was a freshman in college and, if I’m honest, when I think bout reading Till We Have Faces I kind of cringe remembering having to endure reading it!
In 12th grade I was forced to read Jane Eyre for summer reading and hated it. It was so long, why did I have to endure pages and pages about the moors?! Reread, it last year with a friend (20 yrs later) because it was her favorite book and she refused to let me think that way about her favorite book and it’s now one of my favorites.
I think books and timing matters. This post makes me want to pick it up and give it another try.
Yes, definitely. Sometimes it’s the wrong season for a book. But then circumstances change and it’s exactly what we need.
I think one of the things that most struck me in this last reading is how closely Oural’s final conclusion mirrors Job. She is in a way, convicted by her own lament, but the fact that she’s allowed to make it, is as she says, it’s own answer. It speaks so clearly to the power of our attempts at honesty being a way of revealing how many things we hide from ourselves. And yet, the honesty is valuable even as we realize how little we know. The “till we have faces” has always made me think of the passage in 1 Corinthians — our dim understanding being limited until, like Ourual we find we have faces that Someone can bear to look on.
Wow, yes. Great connections.
The myth of Psyche is one of only two Greek myths that I actually sympathize with the characters - the other is Pandora's box, which seems like a half-remembered legend of The Fall. I think of Psyche as the archetype of both Cinderella and 'impossible task' fairytales, as well as being perhaps the most symbolic Greek myth, as it is a story of Love and the Soul.
When I first ready 'Till We have Faces', I wasn't sure I liked it, but it stayed with me. I have returned several times to it and each time liked it better. Lewis builds the ancient pagan world very convincingly - it reminds me of Rosemary Sutcliff's work in this respect, as she is generally unparalleled in her ability to recreate ancient historic periods. But further than that, and here Joy probably had some helpful input, Orual, in her agony of love and loss, is very convincing as a real woman. I am not of those who think men can never write good female characters, but Lewis, like Dickens before him, was a bit weak in this respect. He was a good observer, so could sketch a convincing woman as a secondary character, but when they became a main character, as in Perelandra or That Hideous Strength, the result was always slightly off. In 'Till We have Faces', that didn't happen.
I agree. I find his portrayal of Orual astonishing at points. I’ve heard several women I’ve discussed the book with over the years remark on the same point. I think that likely reflects the assistance of Joy.
I have felt a unique strangeness about this story. It floats somewhere outside time and space and history. Rather than looking at the world's reality and seeing a deeper meaning both revealed and hidden in it (like God's answer to Job does), it ignores all sensory evidence and convinces us of a reality that has no representation for us to examine.
Wow, and yes I think that’s true. It does have an otherworldly quality that’s hard to nail down and somehow manages to convey many truths with nothing more than nudges and suggestion. It’s an amazing achievement.
Excellent essay Joel. TWHF is my fav Lewis book hands down. In it he performs the exceedingly rare achievement of discussing deep spiritual matters as powerfully as any of his essays, yet is also entertaining and compelling as a story. Simply the best :) I loved your treatment of it. We are all orual :)
Amen. It’s such a compelling book. Definitely my favorite of his.
I find the relationship between Lewis and Joy to be fascinating. Intriguing really. Talk about iron sharpening iron.
The insight into the Lewis / Joy collaboration was delightful! I agree ❤️
That was fun for me to explore.
Yes. It proved to be a very powerful creative partnership. I only wish they had been able to work together longer.
This is one of my favorite books; it's one that I've gifted people, but it's been so long since I've read it that I've forgotten most of it. I've really wanted to reread it since 2020; just need to do that one of these days!
Just start it. I bet you have a hard time stopping.
(...until my 3 year old comes over to demand something! 🙃 )
Lewis continues to offer me more insights and nuances. "Till We Have Faces" remains one of my favorites.
It’s so heartrendingly beautiful. I’m amazed he succeeded in writing it and grateful we have it to read all these years later.
“Though I can’t write one-tenth as well as Jack [Lewis], I can tell him how to write more like himself!” What a beautiful description of the gift of perspective and “spurring on to love and good deeds” that spouses can provide for each other.
Yes! As my wife says, “Life is a two-person job.”
Oh it's years since I've last read this one (I have no idea how many times I've read it, but probably at least 5)! This post has reminded me of so much I love about this book, and now I'm excited to reread it again. Thanks!
You’re welcome!
I have read through the text🇬🇧 twice✔️. Perhaps, I will eventually follow your path with a third+ reading? Three pass books are a very short list for me: Story of a Soul, Interior Castle & One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. (not counting ☦️ 🕊️ Scripture, 📚 🇷🇸 Synaxarians, 🥀🦊🌾✨🔔 Little Prince, 🎶🕯️📿 Menaions,etc)🇨🇵🇪🇦🇷🇺🇬🇷🇱🇧
Then again, there are an awful lot of volumes written over the past two millenia by men and women with an "ST" in front of their name that deserve double/ triple passes too! 🤔 PRAY FOR TRANSLATORS, Grace and peace to you! Σοφία Χάρης Αγάπη Δόξα 🔥🌾🍇⛪🌐
Like Frank Zappa said, “So many books, so little time…” One book by men with “St” in front of their names that I enjoy rereading: Augustine’s Confessions. I’ve read it nearly as many times as Till We Have Faces.
How surprising that I stumbled upon this post this morning. I am one third into Till We Have Faces. Having read several versions of the Psyche and Cupid myth, I agree that something is lacking. Waiting to see Lewis's take on it. Thanks!
I’d love to hear your reaction when you finish. His treatment stands alone.
Love love love that book
It’s so good!
I taught it in a senior seminar on the works of Lewis and the high schooler liked it. Every time I read it I se something new. As I understand it, it was the novel that Lewis liked best.
Yes, he thought it was his best work. I thoroughly agree.
One of my all time favorites, also! Everytime I read this book, it makes me consider ways of loving rightly or wrongly. After all, love is love! But to consider not love as we like it, but rather its results, is another thing altogether. Lewis himself visits this idea, but TWHF always make the more powerful statement.