Till We Have Faces: A Reading Companion: an any day companion for an everyday reader

by Christine L. Norvell, Dan Rempel (Illustrator)

Have you ever read or tried to read Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold and wondered what it was all about?

Not every Lewis reader is a Lewis scholar. Most pick up one of his stories or essays out of curiosity, not with academic intent nor with the hope of reading all of his works.

After teaching this novel for a decade, I determined to write a guide that would help any reader fully appreciate C.S. Lewis’s final, and favorite, work of fiction.

In Till We Have Faces, Lewis paints an unexpected picture of redemption. As Orual relates her selective memoir, she finds that her questions about the gods fall away. While Lewis’s retelling brings an unusual completion to the original Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche, this companion is a blend of summary and commentary that brings greater understanding of the characters, symbolism, and implied Christian themes outside of a classroom discussion.

[About the Author]]

Christine Norvell is an author, speaker, and longtime educator. She graduated from Faulkner University with a Masters in Humanities and teaches high school literature and humanities at a classical Christian school.
www.ThyLyre.com

Genres: Religion, Literary Fiction, Nonfiction

185 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2020

About the author

Christine Norvell is an author, speaker, and longtime educator. She graduated from Faulkner University’s Great Books program with a Masters in Humanities and teaches literature at a classical Christian high school. She is the author of Till We Have Faces: A Reading Companion (2017, 2020) and writes regularly at her website http://www.christinenorvell.com/.

Reviews

[Carol Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heartily wish this book had been written in the 1980's when I first read Till We Have Faces.

Reading it now helped me understand much more than I could have on my own. I especially appreciated how Norvell correlates themes and phrases in Till We Have Faces with other writing in Lewis' oeuvre.

I have read CSL's last novel multiple times hoping to unlock the mystery. Each successive reading has brought me closer to understanding it, nearer to loving it. With this companion book, I'm confident I will get there some day.

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend Christine Norvell wrote this very brilliant and helpful reading companion guide to C.S.Lewis's Till We Have Faces which was originally published in 1956, and that was dedicated to his wife Joy Davidman. Mrs. Norvell's companion guide is a delight to read, and it delves deeply into the Greek influences on Lewis' own version of the ancient myth, the mistake that Orual makes by trying to possess Pysche rather than letting her go, how Orual finally comes to understand how her love was distorted, her anger towards the gods was fueled by her possessive self love of her sister, and how she finally comes to repent, and understand that love is not possessive, but a choice that is a bond of devotion between two individuals meeting one another where they are. If you are looking for a great reading companion that examines the mythical ,theological, and literary influences on Lewis's Till We Have Faces, I highly recommend my friend Christine Norvell's book. Thank you very much for your review of Surprised by Agape on Goodreads and Amazon Christine!

[Kate Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this book was that it gave me an excuse to read Til We Have Faces again, which I haven't read in a long time and had forgotten so much about. A lot of people (myself included the first time I read it) find TWHF perplexing, especially if they know Lewis primarily from Narnia. As an educator who teaches on the book, Christine Norvell has no doubt encountered many of the same questions and confusions repeatedly, and wrote her reading companion to help guide a TWHF first-timer through the journey. Providing context from scripture, history, and Lewis's other works (most notably The Four Loves and Letters to Malcolm) as well as commentary by other scholars, it is a useful tool for highlighting and better understanding the themes and symbols with which the novel is replete, and asks the reader probing questions to help them dig below the surface. While I don't think any reading companion could ever wring as much richness out of TWHF as there is to be found in it, this will certainly be a helpful starting point for many to provoke reflection and suggest new ways to think about what we read (and I learned several things I hadn't thought of previously). For those who aren't sure what to think of C.S. Lewis's (and Joy Davidman's!) beautiful novel, start here.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christine Norvell does a wonderful job writing a companion book to C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces. I read both Norvell's book and Lewis's book at the same time, and I'm glad that I did!

Norvell has neatly organized the book, going chapter-by-chapter through Lewis's work. As she concisely summarizes each chapter, Norvell makes connections to the original myth, uncovers significant symbols, draws attention to irony, analyzes characters and their actions, and, most importantly, opens our eyes to truth--who we truly are and who we truly can be.

"We don't have to like Orual or agree with her or even hope for her, but we do need to see ourselves in her" (94).

I appreciate Norvell's obvious love of literature and its ability to be a vehicle for truth. Her book clearly reveals the many truths in Lewis's Till We Have Faces, helping me appreciate Lewis's work even more.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provides a fine summary of Till We Have Faces, though I was hoping for more in-depth analysis.

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great guide to my favorite C.S. Lewis novel!

Reading C.S. Lewis "Til We Have Faces" is much like interpreting a dream. Christine is a practiced guide, helping to navigate a mysterious landscape. Helping to "unveil" what is already known, but denied and then encouraging us to embrace the inherent Beloved-Ness of it...even in it's seeming ugliness.

[Alan Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine's insights really made Lewis's book amazing

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years back, I read C.S. Lewis' "Till We Have Faces." I'd read that it was his favorite book he'd ever written, although it was new to me. I really enjoyed it, and Daughter #3 did as well. She was talking about re-reading it lately, and I decided that that would be a great way to begin the new year. So I did, but remembering how I found the 2nd part of the book difficult, I thought I could benefit from some commentary. So, I found that our library carried "A Reading Companion: Till We Have Faces" and I checked it out to read along with the book.

I enjoyed "Till We Have Faces" again, and actually even enjoyed part 2 this time as well. I found this commentary basically a synopsis. Helpfully, the author (a high school lit teacher) began by including the myth of Psyche and Cupid, upon which "Faces" is based. For each chapter, she includes questions to ponder. Actually, I'd prefer that she would answer those questions, but oh well. Here are some interesting things from the companion that I highlighted. I'm aware that some of these may not make a lot of sense is you haven't first read "Til We Have Faces":

* "When Lewis had first attempted the story, he was an atheist. He even says, 'In my pre-Christian days she (Orual) was to be in the right, and the gods in the wrong.' But, writing now as a Christian, Lewis 'changed the very center of the story, from an angry and justified accusation of the gods to a new awareness that the problem lies with us."

* Famous quote from 'Faces': "I wonder do the gods know what it feels like to be a man."

* Once she has traveled to become the god's wife, Psyche "is operating in a reality where she is fully aware of the natural and spiritual planes whereas Orual is limited to her own selfish mindset. They do not see the same way." Much of this read, I was annoyed with Orual and her selfishness--moreso than the first time I read it.

* "'Affection ('storge') should work toward making itself unneeded, but, as a natural love, in itself it has no power to do so.' The conversation that follows merely proves the point. With absolute consistency Orual reacts sharply. She wants Psyche to need her, and Psyche does not. It is the same possessive distortion of affection mentioned before." This whole line of thought is something I'm spending a lot of mental time on lately. "Always Orual considers her loves in terms of what they contribute to her, not what she should contribute to them." This is an area I need to work on!

* "She (Psyche) explains to Orual how their best time on earth has come and gone"--I found this part of the conversation so touching (and relatable) in "Faces." As we get older, I suspect we'll have more and more of this type of conversation.

* "If the gods are real according to Psyche, then Orual must see them and this palace. Orual sounds much like Thomas demanding to see Jesus, 'Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, " will never believe.' As Orual demands to see the palace, Psyche is horribly crushed because they have been standing on the palace steps the entire time." This calls to mind what it can feel like to discuss faith with a non-believer.

* "Now Orual wishes her veil was on, implying her need to hide from the truth and from the Fox's need for truth. Hood asks us to consider if this is the first suggestion in the story 'that her physical ugliness was a symbol for her spiritual ugliness.'"

* More familiar "Faces" quotes: "The one sin the gods never forgive us is that of being born women" ... "There must be something great in the mortal soul. For suffering, it seems, is infinite, and our capacity without limit."

* In the end of the book, Orual presents the gods with her complaints, but she realizes that "the complaint was the answer" since her complaints, like Job's, were the truest words she'd ever expressed. "With these words, Orual can say that nothing stands between her and the gods any longer ... She is now 'bareface' and asks, 'How can they meet us face to face till we have faces?' This is such a complicated thought for my students that I always ask them to paraphrase this question, especially in light of what Lewis may mean as a Christian in relation to God. We could say, 'How can God meet with me, be with me, until I know who I am, until I know who I am in Him?'"

* Lewis wrote to Katherine Farrer that "Faces" is "the story of every nice, affectionate agnostic whose dearest one suddenly 'gets religion,' or even every lukewarm Christian whose dearest gets a Vocation.' The divide is clear."

I apologize that this review is probably a little "out there" if you haven't read the book. But if you're up for a thought-provoking read into the deeper aspects of life, belief, and Christianity, give it (and especially, "Till We Have Faces") a read.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is meant to be something to jumpstart conversations in a book club type setting so it asks open ended questions for you to discuss with others. There’s just so much depth in the original novel that I really wanted more clear cut answers on what was happening in the story, but even so, this book was awesome and made me consider things I didn’t pick up on when I first read the novel.

[Ela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful companion to Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis.I really recommend it if you are looking to get more out the text and understand it better.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written commentary. I am not much for this genre but I love both these authors so that was motivating for me. She explains and compares in ways easy for me to understand and more fully appreciate this work by Lewis. Thanks Mrs. Norvell!

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skimmed this because it was free and I'd read Till We Have Faces for a book group. Gave me a few insights, but mostly just summarized the book.

[Nayeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a way to understand Lewis better, being someone who has not really engaged with him as much as I’d like, and found Norvell’s guide to be an invaluable source of insight into Lewis’ mind and writing. The book is well-organized, broken down into chapters, and includes questions and analyses that seamlessly guide the reader through the novel. You can tell from reading this book that Norvell understands and appreciates Lewis, and that she is willing to share her knowledge with all readers from all backgrounds. She is an expert on Lewis, yet the writing is accessible and enjoyable. You never feel overwhelmed with information. Instead, her book reads like a novel of its own that makes you eager to turn the next page and read on. Also, even if you are not familiar with Lewis’ “Till We Have Faces”, this book stands on its own two feet as a worthwhile read! You learn so much. A pleasant perk about this book is that Norvell also teaches *how* to read (any book) in order to get the most meaning out of it. I have taken classes on Lewis in college, and can honestly say that this book left me with a deeper understanding of Lewis! I highly recommend it!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just OKAY.... It is not an analysis, but mainly a summary of each chapter with a thought from the author sprinkled in here and there, maybe a question to think about too. Reading the final chapter could have saved me a ton of time and I would not have missed anything. I didn't agree with some of the author's projections of scripture onto the text and at one point she asks if Orual has given her life, like Jesus, for Psyche. She then says it is difficult to answer that. I find it rather simple...Christ gave his life out of LOVE and SELFLESSNESS....Orual may have taken on some of Psyche's burdens, but she did everything out of SELFISHNESS. Hardly a Christ-like sacrifice. I regret the time I spent reading this book, and really only gleaned some useful information out of the last chapter, all of which could have been shared in a blog-post or short article.

[Timothy Dehne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more 3.5 stars. It has some good insights. Lewis's The Four Loves is a book that a lot of people use as a paradigm for interpreting Till We Have Faces. Norvell sees Lewis using Orual's character to explore the complex relationships of love and redemption. While understanding the Four Loves is helpful, I do no find it a convincing formula for interpreting Till We Have Faces.

The story is not merely a character study to show the complexity and redemption of love. While love does redeem, ressurect, and transform in this story, it serves the main idea, holiness is ugly. How you love reflects your ability to see and approach holiness.

For Orual, holiness is ugly, undesirable, and unapproachable. It is a constant riddle in her mind. She cannot perceive rightly because she is drunk on her passions, perverted love and jealousy. This is constant throughout the book.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I completed my first reading of Till We Have Faces, I was shell-shocked. The novel immediately landed in “best book ever” status yet I suspected 50% of it went over my head (turns out it was closer to 90%). I knew I wanted to read it again right away but that I needed some help. I’m grateful for intelligent, skilled teachers like Christine Norvell who can illuminate deeper meanings and insight within literature. She was an excellent guide who posed thoughtful questions versus simply spoon-feeding her knowledge. I would highly recommend this reading companion - I will certainly be revisiting it during future readings of CS Lewis’s masterpiece.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norvell’s companion was helpful for keeping track of the story and summarizing the action and details along the way. It also clarified some of the symbolism, which made reading Lewis easier to follow. While it does not explore the deeper spiritual and psychological layers of the text in depth, some parts did prove useful for teaching Lewis’s book to high school students, providing a framework for discussion and helping them engage with the plot and characters. Overall, Norvell’s companion serves well as a practical guide alongside the richness of the original text.

[Matthew Richey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid. I think it'd be quite helpful if you are newer to Lewis or have only read his easier fiction, which is, I believe, the primary audience. I'm toying with the idea of teaching a class at my church on TWHF, and if so, I will certainly use this as a resource for discussion. She brings out many parallels with The Four Loves, which is illuminating and helpful.

[John E. Norvell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this version much better

[Bourdonne]

Nope, I’m not going to finish it.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful aid in reading Till We Have Faces.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so helpful. Without it I think I might have been lost. I was able to clearly follow the arguments and story of one of Lewis’ most difficult works. Recommended

[Christa Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent summaries of and thoughts on a very weird and beautiful story.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this study guide. It helped as I worked through my second reading of TWHF.

[Mike Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you

This has been such a wonderful blessing to be able to grasp and comprehend the breadth and depth of such a great work.
Blessings

[Suphatra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without this guide, I would have never understood the book!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read "Til We Have Faces" because it was a C.S. Lewis book that I had not read. Although I loved the book and it was mostly easy to follow, I wanted more insight into the book. I found Christine Norvell's reading companion and loved it.

I was amazed at how much I missed in "Til We Have Faces" before I started reading her book after each chapter. There are so many themes and motifs I would not have recognized without her gentle guidance through them. The explanations of the different types of love were particularly helpful.

[JR Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent introductory commentary to Till We Have Faces.

The second edition is much better than the first–Norvell adds needed "context" from Lewis' other works, as well as some critical scholarship. This is about as detailed as a casual reader of TWHF would need, although Norvell is light on analysis of the book, focusing more on summary of the content.

For a deeper look, consider Myers "Bareface" or Shakel (haven't read that one yet).