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The Mirror, the Mask, and the Masterpiece: A Guide to C. S. Lewis’s “Till We Have Faces”
140 pages, Hardcover
Published February 2, 2026
6 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Peter Kreeft
189 books1,096 followersPeter Kreeft is an American philosopher and prolific author of over eighty books on Christian theology, philosophy, and apologetics. A convert from Protestantism to Catholicism, his journey was shaped by his study of Church history, Gothic architecture, and Thomistic thought. He earned his BA from Calvin College, an MA and PhD from Fordham University, and pursued further studies at Yale. Since 1965, he has taught philosophy at Boston College and also at The King’s College. Kreeft is known for formulating “Twenty Arguments for the Existence of God” with Ronald K. Tacelli, featured in their Handbook of Christian Apologetics. A strong advocate for unity among Christians, he emphasizes shared belief in Christ over denominational differences.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 23, 2026
Till We Have Faces has been and remains the most mysterious, yet soul-gripping book I've ever read. For years, I have had questions left unanswered - some of them, I didn't know how to put into words. Finally, my wondering heart and mind are satisfied in this guide by Peter Kreeft.
"I saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly, nor let us answer. Till that word can be dug out of us, why should they hear the babble that we think we mean? How can they meet us face to face till we have faces?"
In his leading us through C.S. Lewis's most controversial work, Till We Have Faces, Peter Kreeft gives us verifiable insight into its setting, characters, and philosophical and theological themes: the problem of evil, the question of identity, the identity of the gods, the relationship between faith, truth and reason, selfish vs. unselfish love, and heaven. In addition, Kreeft shines light on Lewis's signature theme Sehnsucht, the mysterious longing for something that cannot be clearly known or attained in this life, and its place in this masterpiece.
"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice? Only words, words; to be led out to battle against other words."
This retelling of Cupid and Psyche has always cut me to the core, and I have never entirely known why. Kreeft has helped me put into words what I already knew to be true. This guide is brilliant. Learning that much of Lewis's version uses the topic of identity at its core had me asking for so long, "HOW? How is it that Lewis can use a pagan myth to point to identity in Christ?" I found that answer on p. 57: "And in the mind of C.S. Lewis, God has definitely replaced and displaced the gods. The difference this makes is that the pagan frame for Orual's story is itself implicitly enclosed by Lewis's Christian frame. He is teaching a Christian truth through a pagan myth, practicing Emily Dickinson's advice to 'tell all the truth, but tell it slant'." This is merely one of many questions answered throughout this guide. And now I want to read it over again. Thank you Peter Kreeft for guiding us through.
"I saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly, nor let us answer. Till that word can be dug out of us, why should they hear the babble that we think we mean? How can they meet us face to face till we have faces?"
In his leading us through C.S. Lewis's most controversial work, Till We Have Faces, Peter Kreeft gives us verifiable insight into its setting, characters, and philosophical and theological themes: the problem of evil, the question of identity, the identity of the gods, the relationship between faith, truth and reason, selfish vs. unselfish love, and heaven. In addition, Kreeft shines light on Lewis's signature theme Sehnsucht, the mysterious longing for something that cannot be clearly known or attained in this life, and its place in this masterpiece.
"I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice? Only words, words; to be led out to battle against other words."
This retelling of Cupid and Psyche has always cut me to the core, and I have never entirely known why. Kreeft has helped me put into words what I already knew to be true. This guide is brilliant. Learning that much of Lewis's version uses the topic of identity at its core had me asking for so long, "HOW? How is it that Lewis can use a pagan myth to point to identity in Christ?" I found that answer on p. 57: "And in the mind of C.S. Lewis, God has definitely replaced and displaced the gods. The difference this makes is that the pagan frame for Orual's story is itself implicitly enclosed by Lewis's Christian frame. He is teaching a Christian truth through a pagan myth, practicing Emily Dickinson's advice to 'tell all the truth, but tell it slant'." This is merely one of many questions answered throughout this guide. And now I want to read it over again. Thank you Peter Kreeft for guiding us through.
February 25, 2026
I need to read TWHF again and then read this book again with a notebook in hand. TWHF is my favorite book and Peter Kreeft opened it up to reveal so much more! I wish I was smarter and could dive through the next few layers but I imagine it would just keep going and so I’ll just keep plodding along and reading it again and again. “When we SEE him, there is nothing more to be said.”
March 3, 2026
Such a phenomenal book. TWHF has long been one of my favorite books ever, and this just confirmed why.
March 25, 2026
Kreeft has it. Beautiful insights into the MASTERPIECE that is "Till We Have Faces"
March 30, 2026
Brilliant. A must-read for anyone who wants a thorough understanding of TWHF; check out my published review in the May 2026 issue of WORLD!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews