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Summary: A Beautiful Book
Review: I had a friend of a friend hand this book to me, obviously excited about it. I thought this was odd at the time, until I read it. This book falls into the rare category of books that I will definitely re-read. And I'm not a fan of Chronicles of Narnia, or Lewis' other writings.
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Summary: Take a step into a realistic fantasy!
Review: As a passionate student of Grecian Mythology, I have read many interpretations on the classic tale of Cupid and Psyche, but never with such depth. C.S. Lewis cast upon this book a brilliancy that is reflected in each theme he uses in this book. It is in the view of Psyche's older sister, and a bit like the story of Ever After(the movie), if the movie were in the view of the chubby sister. I am not as gifted as Mr. Lewis to put into words the magic of this book, but, when one has familiarized oneself with the classic tale of Cupid and Psyche, one shall feel, after reading this book, as though they knew nothing at all of the story, before reading the book!
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Summary: Excellant!
Review: This is one of the best books that I have ever read. I could not put this book down. This book is a must read!!!!!
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Summary: if you only read one book this year, read this one
Review: I loved Greek mythology when I was growing up. Unfortunately, the stories were were so single faceted. It was like reading Greek myths as told by Aesop. However, in Till We Have Faces, you run into a story that's a true work of literary art. For those of you who don't know the story of Psyche and Cupid, read the last segment of the book first for reference, because Lewis tells you the myth and then tells you how he altered the storyline. Don't worry, it won't really give anything away, and even if it does, it doesn't detract from the reading. One of the most interesting things I found about the book was that when Lewis altered the myth, I found an incredible amount of Christian themes running in it. Maybe I read to deeply into the story, but knowing that Lewis was a devout Christian by this time, it seems that the religious element was not merely coincidental. Orual and Psyche seemed to represent the humanity and deity of Christ respectively, especially because he makes the human appearance so unattractive as stated in Isaiah 53 which talks about the Messiah, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." The divine aspect (represented in Psyche) on the otherhand is as beautiful as the gods. In fact Psyche eventually becomes a goddess (again representative of Christ's deity). Again, maybe I'm reading way too much into this story. Nonetheless, it was a great read and I highly recommend this book not as a "Christian book" but as a wonderful work of literature.
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Summary: Amazing.
Review: Perhaps the most unearnedly ignored piece of 20th century literature: the Christian market ignored it since it was about gods and goddesses and the secular market ignored it because it was by that "Christian guy who wrote children's books". This honestly should have made the modern library's 100 best books of the century; it's a pity it didn't.
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Summary: a provocative meditation on encountering the divine
Review: This is my favorite type of novel: a captivating story that provides much food for thought. Lewis examines the age-old question "Why is God unfair?" and effectively portrays the limitations of our human perspective in even asking. His depiction of the selfish aspects of human love reminded me of his _The Great Divorce_ (also recommended).
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Summary: My favorite Book
Review: My Review is short, this is the best book, I read it as a teenager twice, and I still pick it up and read it for motivation, it really is a book you will not be able to put down, maybe the beginning will sway you the other way, but it is so worth it to stick to the end.
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Summary: I am speechless.
Review: Ok, well maybe not speechless enough to keep myself from writing a review. This book was one of the best I've ever read. I can hardly wait to read it a second time. C.S. Lewis does a fine job of illustrating his characters. He makes them totally believable, and his writing style sucks you into the plot line before you know what's happened to you. He explores the differences between sacred and profane love through Orual and her sister Psyche's relationship. The book is based off of the original Mythological tale of Cupid and Psyche. His rendition and interpretation of it is absolutely captivating. This book is a good one to read whether you are a Christian or not. If you are, C.S. Lewis will help you to become a stronger believer. I would encourage anyone to read this book. You will not regret it.
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Summary: We are not as strong as we think we are...
Review: "Are the gods not just, then?" "Oh, no. What would become of us if they were?" Orual lashes out at the gods for the things that have come to pass in her life. She demands proof of their existence, and then later, a meeting; a hearing of sorts, face to face, where she can present her case and accuse them. Why did they take all she cherished away from her? Are they really there, or is it all just a cruel trick? Why are they silent? In this story that so deftly reveals our prides and passions, Lewis shows that when we encounter Diety, we've come across something so far beyond us that our thoughts and imaginings are undone. Some of us will surrender into Diety's keeping with joy, others reel back in hatred. It's not allegorical. It's sweeter, more subtle, and more powerful than that. The telling of the tale through the lens of Greek myth shows the stoke of the master artist at work. Holding on; letting go; pride; surrender. I've seen no other work that so aptly plays out the fabric of our lives torn between Heaven and earth, between love and pride, between the sacred and the profane.
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Summary: A book that reaches into your soul.
Review: This book by C.S. Lewis is perhaps one of the finest books of the twentieth century. Without even going into its ability to sum up one of the toughest questions of Chistianity, I would say Lewis wrote an imaginitive book that parrallells nothing I've read yet. His main character Orual, who is neither the protagonist nor antagonist, searches for the answer to why her god can allow evil into her world of ancient Rome. Lewis created such a realistic character in Orual that in the first section you sympathize with her adversities, but when you get to the second part you realize along with Orual that she and perhaps yourself have have been looking out an opaque glass at both yourself and the world around you. This in affect makes you question yourself and asks the supreme question of whether or not you truly have a face. Not only does this book so magically entertwine the subjects I have only touched the tip of the iceberg for, but C.S. Lewis also reaches out with all of his imaginative powers to grasp his readers in a lock they can't resist until they've finished his book. I strongly reccomend taking the time to read this book it will change your view of both Christianity, philosophy, and it will also raise your standards for literature.
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