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C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold
I enjoy reading books that have been recommended by people I know. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don’t. However, I almost always benefit from reading them if for no other reason than I come to know a little better the person who suggested the book.
When someone tells me that a book was meaningful to them, that they enjoyed it, or that it changed them, and I follow-up by reading that book myself, I have connected with that person on a much different level than if I had coffee with them or sat in Sunday School with them.
Thus, when I noticed on Barry Creamer’s blog profile that Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold
Although we rarely seem to make contact, I consider Barry to be one of my most precious friends. I think he is the best preacher of our generation, I admire his commitment to family and church, I am challenged by his understanding of the history of ideas, and,… well, you get the idea. He is an amazing fellow and I looked forward to engaging a book that is one of his favorites.
Thus, I came to the book with pretty high expectations. During the first 100 pages the book fell a little short of those expectations and I found myself wondering just why Barry thought so highly of it. It was interesting, even intriguing, but it was not spectacular. However, I could hardly put the book down during the final two-thirds of the book. I would not go as far as did the New York Herald Tribune when it proclaimed the book, “The most significant and triumphant work that Lewis has yet produced” but I certainly understand why they would think so. It is a great book and without reservation I give it an enthusiastic recommendation.
In Till We Have Faces Lewis reworks the myth of the Psyche and Cupid. It is a compelling story of Love, and Love’s imitators (desire, dependency, etc). Lewis’ adaptation is complete with vibrant characters, an absorbing plot, and many layers of meaning for those who can’t resist the temptation to explore and deconstruct them.
I expect this book to be on my list of favorite books read in 2007. And, I am planning to re-read it soon so it may very well appear on my list of favorite books read in 2008. Lewis once said that if a book was not worth reading multiple times, that it was not worth reading even once. This book has joined the Kevin Canon of books that I periodically re-read.
I hope that you will choose to read it also, and then drop back by to let me know what you think of it.
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Here are some of my favorite quotes from Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold
It burned me from within. It quickened; I was with book, as a woman is with child.
~ page 247.
The one sin the gods never forgive us is that of being born women.
~ page 233.
Yet it surprised me that he should have said it; for I did not yet know that, if you are ugly enough, all men (unless they hate you deeply) soon give up thinking of you as a woman at all.
~ page 131.
But if the lords were glum, the common people in the streets were huzzaing and throwing caps in the air. It would have puffed me up if I had not looked in their faces. There I could read their mind easily enough. Neither I nor Glome was in their thoughts. Any fight was a free show for them; and a fight of a woman with a man better still because an oddity–as those who can’t tell one tune from another will crowd to hear the harp if a man plays it with his toes.
~ page 217.
“We’ve had scores of matches together. The gods never made anyone–man or woman–with a better natural gift for it. Oh, Lady, Lady, it’s a thousand pities they didn’t make you a man.” (He spoke it as kindly and heartily as could be; as if a man dashed a gallon of cold water in your broth and never doubted you’d like it all the better.)
~ page 197.
I had known Redival’s tears ever since I could remember. They were not wholly feigned, nor much dearer than ditchwater…. It’s likely enough she meant less mischief than she had done (she never knew how much she meant) and was now, in her fashion, sorry; but a new brooch, much more a new lover, would have had her drying her eyes and laughing in no time.
~ page 63
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Hmmm…interesting quotes. What does that say about your thoughts on women.
I will have to ponder that.
Marguerite, if the quotes above made you wonder, you sure don’t want to read these quotes about women.
This book was given to me to borrow and read by my a woman, who at the time was in her early 70′s, that I took private art classes with. I’ll always be indebted to her for the humility one could have at the same time as being proud of what you have created.
She told me that if I ‘found my face’ the rest of my art, and my life, would fall into place.
I was in 7th grade the first time I read it, and I have the original copy which she convienently ‘forgot’ to ask back for and I just as conviently never mentioned after discussing how much I enjoyed it.
It was a lifechanging book for me at that age, and I continually go back to it as a source of inspiration and guidance.
Although I am an agnostic, it goes beyond beliefs into the core of what it is to be human, and searching for answers. Answers in a life that you most certainly will not find them in, but can relish the puzzle nonetheless.
JRSwank, what a great story ! Thank you for sharing it.
I read this book recently and I LOVE it. I found your site because I wanted to learn more about the book and what others thought about it.
I haven’t read much of Mr. Lewis’ books as an adult so when I decided to start reading more of his work I was compelled to this one because of its title (in my opinion, the title is ambiguos if you don’t first know what it’s about). I’m in agreement with you when you say that the beginning of the book fell short of expectations, but when you delve deeper into the story it captivates you. I found myself not wanting to put it down either.
I borrowed this book from the library so I don’t have my own copy, but I’m hoping to change that. Before I returned it, I wrote down my favorite quotes. I don’t have them with me at the moment but I do remember one that I wanted to share:
“You’re a tree in whose shadow we can’t thrive. There’s no room for you and us in the same world. We want to be our own.” -C.S. Lewis
(I hope I got that right. I might’ve gotten the first two sentences in each other’s spot.)
It’s rare for me to find a book where I want to reread over favorite passages, and this is definitely one of those books. I don’t doubt that the next time I read it (when I get my hands on my own copy) I’ll learn something new.
Bernadette, thank you for sharing you thoughts about the book. I’m sure there are many others who feel as you and I do about the book
My favorite quote:
“Who can FEEL ugly when the heart meets delight? It is as if, somewhere inside, within the hideous face and bony limbs, one is soft, fresh, lissom and desirable.”
~page 96
I believe that Psyche is a Christ like figure because she was the scapegoat for the entire nation of Gloom. Lewis was a outspoken Christian and i believe his novel. Also her beauty was given to Orual so that she could pass being judged.
I apologize for daring to write while I barely know English. But when it comes about C.S. Lewis’ books, I have to speak even I’m going to make a fool of myself. I’ve just finished reading “Till we have faces”, after The Great Divorce”. They are not translated in my own language but it was worth every bit of struggle. I wanted to cry after each of them. Indeed, C.S. Lewis was a Christian and most of his books are (openly or not so openly) only a search for Him and His Kingdom. The author used even the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche for portraying, through the figure of god of the mountain, The One we all are craving for. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Using pagan mithology for writing christian issues…
I’m sorry for being so carried away but I just annot help myself. This book has shown me the most beautiful thought ever: Orual being also Psyche. Bearing another one’s burdens, suffering pain and misery for Psyche to be able to fulfill her tasks.. After years of pointless suffering, to find out suddenly that only through your wounds she was unscathed…this gives a meaning for all the people who are asking themselves if there is a reason for their pain. And that wonderful image that showed Psyche plucking golden wool only because her sister made it possible…this is Heaven.
By the way, I too borrowed the book and since I don’t think I could easily find a copy in my country…long live amazon.com!!
I’m very glad to find out that other people enjoyed such an “unjoyable” book.
Hi, I got this link from Wikidpedia.
I am more than halfway through and am enjoying the book. I wanted anything by C.S. Lewis after listening to “The Screwtape Letters” on audiobook.
I have my eyes on “The Great Divorce” next…
getting ready to re-read for the 3rd time…. may try to read this with my 7th graders; a book of amazing depth, thick characters, intense revelation and dream-like sequences that make me feel I’m dreaming….
I’ve just finished reading it. WHAT a book. Wow.
“And for all i can tell, the only difference is that what many see we call a real things, and what only one sees we call a dream. But things that many see may have no taste or moment in them at all, and things that are shown only to one may be spears and water-spouts of truth from the very depth of truth.”