Till We Have Faces

A Myth Retold

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

C. S. Lewis reworks the timeless myth of Cupid and Psyche into an enduring piece of contemporary fiction in this novel about the struggle between sacred and profane love.

Set in the pre-Christian world of Glome on the outskirts of Greek civilization, it is a tale of two princesses: the beautiful Psyche, who is loved by the god of love himself, and Orual, Psyche's unattractive and embittered older sister, who loves Psyche with a destructive possessiveness. Her frustration and jealousy over Psyche's fate sets Orual on the troubled path of self-discovery.

Lewis's last work of fiction, this is often considered his best by critics.

©1956 C. S. Lewis PTE, Ltd. (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In Mr. Lewis's sensitive hands the ancient myth retains its fascination while being endowed with new meanings, new depths, new terrors." (Saturday Review)

"Whenever Nadia May reads, a sensation of comfort creeps into the atmosphere. Her vocal clarity and understanding of the author's meaning bring pleasure and even security to the listening of each work." (AudioFile)

"The most significant and triumphant work that Lewis has...produced." (New York Herald Tribune)

Extraordinary!

As usual when CS Lewis put pen to paper it becomes music to my ears. It's more than just reading a great story. It's more like he takes you on a great journey that unites your heart and mind.

My favorite by Lewis!

What did you love best about Till We Have Faces?

Rich philosophical underpinnings. Brilliantly told & prose that I can read over and over again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Orual, our hero and our villain. I found a kindred spirit in her railings against the gods and fate and her revelation was my own.

Have you listened to any of Nadia May’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No & I felt it could have had better narration.

Any additional comments?

I love this book like no other. The audio version is just another way for me to absorb it.

Gently Life-Changing

Wanda McCaddon masterfully gives voices to the "faces" -- whether mortal, divine, or ghostly -- in Lewis' novel. Here he offers a gentle, chastening invitation to let go of all that is illusory and embrace the truth that transforms our own ugliness into beauty.

C. S. Lewis at his best

I've long loved this story of C.S. Lewis and this performance by Nadia May enhanced my love for the book. I did not want to stop listening.

Cupid and Psyche Myth Retold

Nadia May narrates this moving retelling of the myth of Psyche and Eros by C.S.Lewis. Lewis, best known for his Christian apologetics and his masterpiece of children's literature series about Narnia, does a good job of telling the tale of the two sisters who are so different and whose fate is a great Greek morality tale. Lewis is less heavy-handed in his Christian narrative in this volume and Nadia May is very good as usual at capturing the nuances in her portrayal of the different characters. Honestly, this was not a gripping story by any means, but it was an enjoyable one none the less. Lewis was a giant literary figure of the 20th century and I appreciated this chance to listen to one of his largely forgotten works.

so that is the end?

struggled to finish, then disappointed in the ending. realizing that the story was retold, I have to say I still love CS Lewis and his work.

thoroughly enjoyed the story line & will listen ag

C.S. Lewis brings it through. One mustn't try to guess what will be around the bend. I will need to hear it again.

Absolutely wonderful

One of my absolute favorite stories. I found it was very well done, and had a lovely narrated beautifully.

A difficult and deep listen

This was not a listen to entertain, but rather one to stir thoughts and imaginings of our own faith and belief systems.

Redemption

C. S. Lewis considered this to be his greatest book. It's not a child's book, like Narnia. It's an interesting casual read, but if you read it with thought and even some meditation, it becomes much more; almost as if someone had seen into the depths of your own soul and made it into a mythical tale exposing all to the world. We hide our true faces, and sometimes we are good at it, sometimes not, and much we even hide from ourselves, and our often even more successful at that. But, only when we let God expose ourselves to ourselves can we have, not justice, but redemption. You may be offended by using a pagan myth to express Christian truths, and you may be offended by her continuing complaint against the gods, but read it to the end. I read this book more than 35 years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it again.