Till We Have Faces

"Till We Have Faces" is a 1956 novel by C.S. Lewis that retells the ancient myth of Cupid and Psyche. The story is uniquely narrated from the perspective of Psyche's jealous and embittered sister, Orual.

The novel is narrated by Orual, the Queen of Glome, who writes a bitter complaint against the gods for the suffering she has endured. Her narrative is a profound exploration of self-deception and possessive love.

Many literary critics consider it Lewis's most mature piece of fiction because of its complex psychological depth and lack of overt, allegorical preaching. It tackles profound themes of divine love, human jealousy, and the heavy veil of mortal perception.

The title refers to the novel's central theme of discovering one's true self and authenticity before standing before the divine. Lewis implies that humans cannot truly face God until they recognize their own souls and drop their deceptive masks.