This book has such a special place in my heart. For much of my life, I've struggled with crippling depression. I read this for the first time back in 2020. I had struggled through the first third or so. Then one day, when I was struggling against a tough bout of depression, I worked up enough energy to go to a nearby park (I was in DC at the time). I got there at lunchtime, but I got so hooked I ended up finishing the whole book in that sitting. As I read this book, I slowly felt God rolling back the dark clouds of my depression. When I got to that quote on the last page ("You are yourself the answer"), I could feel the sun shining again for the first time a while. God worked so beautifully in my life then. This book will always be dear to me.

I came across this book while looking around for a random thing to read at the university library. Prior to this I had only read the Narnia novels from C.S. Lewis and was surprised by how different Til We Have Faces was. It was a very uncomfortable and confronting read, but I felt like I needed to read it. My favorite quote ever comes from this book. It's that part where the question is asked, "Are the gods not just?" And the answer is: "Oh, no, child. What would become of us if they were?"

I have to re-read this. There's a moment in the Great Divorce that always brings me to tears, in reference to Sarah Smith, a fictional saint; "..Already there is joy enough in the little finger of a great saint such as yonder lady, to waken all the dead things of the universe into life". I always choke up because of the profound goodness of God, who wills not just to save us but to make us overflow with His own glory, and to participate in the healing of the world.

I also love how it parallels with 1 Corinthians 13:12, where Paul talks about…”For now we see through a glass,darkly, but then we shall see face to face. For now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am also fully known.” Beautiful.

My boyfriend gave me this book when I was 16, and it blew my mind! Instantly became my favorite book! I am 45 now and it’s still my favorite. Idk how many times I’ve read it over the years but I seem to always find something new to love each time. His best work, imo.

Til We Have Faces has always been my favorite work of Lewis'. I always felt it was incredibly profound and underrated, but I had no idea that Lewis himself AND Tolkien agreed. Glad I'm in good company here lol

Thank you for bringing up this book. I've reread the book 7x, hoping to fully understand the richness of the text and allegories. It's my favorite book of all time and it doesn't get the credit it deserves for accurately and humbly addressing the objections and rationalities against Christianity, while simultaneously showing us the breathtaking nature of God and faith. It is truly a book worth more than what most Lewis fans attribute to it.

At one point, I started writing myself an essay about how CSL must have been writing about the end of Job when he finished TWHF. I find Orual his most compelling character. He really *gets* her humanity in a way that his other characters never possess--they always seem a bit too stereotyped or flat. And he manages to capture "time" well in the book, which is rare. It actually feels like a lot of time has passed when you read the book. A hugely helpful framework for the Christian: there are long, slow, dry seasons and then the Spirit illuminates everything with fire in a quick burst. Here's my very short list and superlatives of Lewis' best: Screwtape--most original, dare I say "genius"?; Mere Xianity--best all-around; Til We Have Faces--most beautiful, most true.

First time I read this book I completely agreed with Orual. When the switched happened, I was speechless - in tears. It changed my life. I've read this book repeatedly over the years. It's truly the best of Lewis in my opinion and so few have ever heard of it.

The quote that stuck out to me most and I think captures the main theme: "A love [that devours] can grow to be nine-tenths hatred and still call itself love." This is a theme that is present in a lot of Lewis' work, especially The Four Loves and The Great Divorce. I had exactly this same experience when I read this book. It took me weeks to get through the first 2/3. It wasn't until the end that I got hooked and finished the rest in one sitting. I immediately reread the whole thing that night!

The book is an absolute triumph to me. The thing that I love about Lewis is that he reminds me of great things in Scripture that I don't even know if he INTENDED to remind me of. Like when Orual says that she wants to share her grievances with "the gods". That reminds me so much of Job and how he said if he could talk to God that he'd really have some things to say to him for all he had been through and then God finally speaks to Job and when he tells Job to answer he basically says "I'm just gonna be quiet..." LOL! I know that Orual does actually share her grievances but she also still comes to the same realization that Job does in that she understood in the end what she didn't understand in the beginning. Also I'm reminded of the "I AM" statements in the fact that she says their answer is "no words". If you think about a lot of the "I AM" statements they are things expressed in FUNCTION or ACTION as opposed to just "words". Jesus IS "bread". Bread doesn't "speak" per se. It just fulfills your hunger. When Martha came angry about Jesus not being there 4 days ago he says "I know he'll rise again in the resurrection AT THE LAST DAY" but Jesus says "I AM the resurrection". That's the realization that Orual has in the end when she says that she knows now that they WERE "the answer" the whole time. Have we not found that to be profoundly true in our own lives? Praise God for giving us men like C.S. Lewis to help us reach these glorious conclusions that are applicable and practical for all of us. I don't know if you'll ever see this comment but I enjoyed your video and share your sentiments on the book.

As a longtime Lewis fan I first started this book 10 years ago and experienced the "slog" effect. I remember having no idea what the point of the book was and just feeling confused about where it was going, to the point that I didn't finish it. Thankfully, I recently borrowed an audiobook version and in that format, I actually found it to be a page turner. Going through it at audiobook pace I was interested in the story all along, but getting to "Book Two" completely changed how I understood the message of the book. In addition to the theme of possessive vs sacrificial love, I was struck by the apologetic perspective in how Lewis explained Orual's refusal to believe and accept the gods, and the tenderness and mercy which the gods eventually show in her visions. This immediately became my favorite book, and one that I know I'll return to over the years.

There is a great lecture from Peter Kreeft on Till we have faces (found it on Apple Podcasts). Even that lecture itself can move me to tears; I listened to it at least three times. He provides excellent explanations of various details.

"You did it ! You mentioned the one I hoped you would! FINALLY someone has mentioned one of my favorites: Till We Have Faces! :) I Loved that book! (I loved Pilgrim's Regress too!) I also have a book of his poems. :) My Husband and I use to read them aloud to one another. I just found you recently and you have just become my favorite on KZfaq (well John Lennox will always be up there!) You are clearly a fan of my favorite authors Lewis and Tolkien but then you also went and mentioned Pascal too! My mom had the classics bookshelf in my bedroom when I was in high school and I discovered Pascals Pensees and ended up reading the part about the nature of man aloud to a friend who spent the night. (she was a writer). So you can see I'm really enjoying your channel. I MUST get hubby to subscribe too! PS I also had been looking into Eastern Orthodoxy (I was raised Episcopalian but left that long ago) . Your channel has been answering many of my recent questions. Love how you go into the history and the balanced way you approach things. Oh I'm also a fan of Kierkegaard -I think a lot of people misunderstand Him! I'm going to have to get a new copy of "Till we have Faces" though Mine is falling apart! :( Its a very old paperback! Oh my favorite poem is the one we read at Christmas. .... I have just discovered my CS Lewis poetry book is missing :( and i don't think the collection I had is in print anymore. : I'm going to cry. :( I cant remember the name of the Christmas poem. Can you recommend a collection of his poems that has all his poems in it that is still in print in case I cant find it. (It wasn't in very good condition either)

I listened to the audiobook and found myself gripped the entire time. I have an interest in what this would look like as a Prime, Netflix, or Max series

Ah... this was awesome. Thank you for sharing your insights on this. I feel like these themes were playing on the edge of my mind; I knew there was so much depth there, but your video really helped solidify some of the thoughts I was trying to formulate. "Till We Have Faces" instantly became one of my favorite books (for what it's worth, I actually was immediately gripped by the story, and did not feel like it was dragging). My other favorite of CSL is "The Great Divorce." And speaking of this and the theme of false, self-centered "love"... when noting the possessive love of Orual, I immediately recalled the so-called love of the mother "ghost" in "The Great Divorce." She was so absolutely in love with her son, that she was blinded to her own greed and selfish motives. So one way I thought of "Till We Have Faces" is that it is a beautiful, exquisitely drawn-out portrayal of that one type of soul the narrator encountered in "The Great Divorce." Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm now looking forward to the Space Trilogy and other CSL novels.

One of my favorite lines not discussed in the video is on the final page: “Queen Orual of Glome, who was the most wise, just, valiant, fortunate, and merciful of all the princes known in our parts of the world.” Right after we are hit with all of Orual’s sin and need of redemption, where she is portrayed at her lowest, we get this line where she was still used by Providence to be a good ruler to the people of Glome. With our sin before our eyes, it is so easy forget that God still works good through us by His glorious grace.

This book really is underrated. I'm reading it for school! 👍

My favorite book. The first time I read it, I thought it was interesting but was confused. I picked it up years later, I think because the atmosphere stuck with me. The second time I read it, I cried. I’ve never had a fiction book affect me like this one.

“A Grief Observed” might be my favorite of his. Heart breaking and honest. What a great compliment to “Problem of Pain”. It’s like when WLC talks about the philosophical vs the emotional problem of evil.

I started this book yesterday and finished it today because I couldn’t put it down. You said it well when describing the atmosphere of the book; it almost reminded me of my first time reading the Narnia series as a kid. That’s why I’m very surprised to hear people either don’t know about it or don’t enjoy it! Either way, this was GREAT commentary!!

Hey Gavin, when you write an article on this (if you haven't already) I would highly recommend checking out the Literary Life Podcasts's series on Till We Have Faces. My wife and I listened to it and it helped us appreciate the beautiful depth of this book in so many ways. It's a Christian podcast and they are major fans of C S Lewis, and how he draws on this rich symbolic tradition in his works. They probably say a lot of stuff you already know but there were so many good insights

My absolute favorite Fictional book!! I read it when I was 14 and never found anything that moved me so much. So happy to see it get some well deserved attention.

This is surprising to me because I love Til We have Faces. It's one of the few CS Lewis books I've read and I love to reread it, it's top 3 christian fiction for me!

Thank you. I cried when u were explaining it.

I agree with Lewis and Tolkien. It’s a great book, and perhaps his best. You continue to amaze me. For a young man, you are uncommonly wise.

Saw this video maybe two weeks ago and seeing how this book affected Sean thought I should give it a go. I’ve read so little fiction the past 20 years it was a balm to my senses to ‘escape’ into imaginative literature. It’s so masterfully done and the ‘finale’, shall we say, is memorable. Sublime, even. Thank you Sean!

Till We Have Faces is one of my favorite books of all time! It was definitely a page turner for me, but I have to disagree with you on That Hideous Strength. I struggled through that one and enjoyed the first two books of the Space Trilogy much more.

I haven't read that book. And yes I liked it. I'll read it someday. I think C.S Lewis may have liked the book of Job so much like I do.. I sympathized with Job but at the end God said to him do you know everything Job to question me, God?.. and yes before my conversion, I was also blaming God of the sins I continually do. Telling God why He ever created me when in the end I will suffer in hell.. but then, by His mercy I was reborn. Praise God!

My wife led a book club study of it, and loves it. I think it is one of the few Lewis books I haven't read.

My favorite book ever, not just CS Lewis book. It made me see myself so much in all the characters. My goal in life is to make a movie of this book if possible to bring it to more people. So hard to translate the brilliance in the writing to a movie though...

One of my favorite books by C.S. Lewis is " The Weight of Glory".

I agree with Lewis and Tolkien. It’s a great book, and perhaps his best.

I’ll come back after I read it, thank you in advance for the recommendation

Thank you so much for this review. Till We Have Faces was a painful read for me because of someone very dear to my heart. So many things about her life were Orual’s struggle. Now passed, I always wanted & prayed that turn for her

It's on my shelf with my other C.S. Lewis books, but I haven't read it yet. After listening to this video I think I need to change that.

Out of the Silent Planet. Read it years ago. Still remember the tension, atmosphere and loveliness

Thank you sincerely, I envision the healing katharsis of reading this book I wouldn't have known of for a long time without you, God bless your endeavours!

This is my 2nd favorite book after LOTR. I read when going through a bad break up in high-school and loved the book

so helpful. Not sure I have the capacity to read this, but am enriched by your review. thanks Gavin!

We seem to be kindred spirits! I also loved Till We Have Faces and realized that you need to be a particular kind of Lewis fan to really appreciate it. And also That Hideous Strength is one of my favorite Lewis books even though from what I've read he liked Perelandra the best. At least at the beginning of his writing T.H.S. he seems to have had a rough time writing. He wrote in a letter to E R Eddison April 29th 1943 that he had written about 300 sheets and was afraid that "it is all rubbish". But in the end I found T.H.S. to be the most enjoyable of the three and have even reread it at least twice and can occasionally dip back into it to read a brief passage to get a pleasant little refresher.

Great timing! This gave me a reason to finally read the book again-I forgot everything. I was hooked and struggled towards the end. But your video helped me to better understand and appreciate the underlying themes… It’s a fine book…

I just finished reading it last night. This was a very helpful reflection for me. Powerful. Thank you.

Awesome review, thank you!! makes me want to read the book 👍 I love listening to you and learning so much

Till We Have Faces is my favourite of Lewis' fiction, probably of all of his books. I have some words from the ending (that would be a spoiler) written on the wall above my desk. Thank you for highlighting it!

I disagree: This book was a page-turner for me from beginning to end. I just couldn't believe how well-written it was and it totally changed my perspective on Lewis. It is now my favorite novel of all time and I did not expect that at all.

I love how near the beginning of this video you say something like "This isn't a page turner and its hard to get hooked". Well I finally started reading it for the first time today, and I gotta say, by Chapter 2 I knew this was something very special. Didn't watch the rest of your video to avoid spoilers, but I can't wait to see where this is going!

This book has a special place in my heart. I wish I could readed this book before I deal with an identidy crisis. Lewis is so smart. Thank you for sharing this video and your perspectives about that. You just won a new subscriber. God bless you.

Hey Gavin really enjoy your videos and I always leave them having learned something new! I appreciate all the work you put into them. I know you’ve been diving into Philosophy and you have a deep interest in that area. Are there any book recommendations that you could give for someone just starting to dive into the philosophy arena? Thanks Gavin!

Just finished reading 'Till we have Faces' and found your video really helpful for organizing my thoughts and what I was feeling about it. Loved that you dove into specific themes and excerpts while also magnifying the overarching issue of redemption and turning away from deep-rooted, unhealthy kinda love. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the the meaning behind the constant presence of the idol Ungit and how it plays a role in shaping Orual's mindset and how she both relates and repels the idea of it. Thank you for such a comprehensive and clear review.

As a college student 15 years or so ago I picked up probably half a dozen Lewis audiobooks for my Audible account, none of which I had read before, and Nadia May reading Till We Have Faces was one of them. It's a profound, gripping read to me (perhaps May's narration reduced the "slog" aspect since it never seemed to drag for me at all, although I do have a pretty high tolerance for slow moving books) and is certainly criminally underrated. Glad you've made a video on it!

Til We have faces’ is not only my favorite C.S. Lewis book, it is hard for me not to call it my favorite book. Believe it or not “Dead Petals” is right up there for me also. And also grossly underrated. That’s why I am here.

Fantastic video about an amazing, beautiful and mysterious novel. I thought your analysis was spot on. Would love to hear your thoughts on That Hideous Strength or the whole of the Space Trilogy. I think Perelandra is maybe his most misunderstood, and among his most beautiful. Keep talking Lewis, I’ll always watch!

Really liked your analysis on the identity theme - didn't think about that as much but yes it's so powerful. Thanks!!

One of our co-hosts, Andrew Lazo, is working on that "missing" book you're talking about! We worked through "Till We Have Faces" on Season 3 of our podcast and Andrew was recently on Shane Morris' podcast, "Upstream", arguing that "Till We Have Faces" is Lewis' best book - an opinion held by Lewis ("far and away my best book"). If you'd ever like to come on the podcast to talk about it, please let us know :)

My favorite book by Lewis and my favorite book of all time. I loved it from the first time I read it, but I didn’t understand so much of it at first. Love to re-read this one again and again. Thanks so much for your analysis Marcus

6:34 In fact, Orual's love is not so much a "need love" as a "gift love that needs to be needed" (see Four Loves for distinction). I'm partly basing my Susan Pevensie (after train crash, or rather retrospects to before it, when relating to Lucy) on Orual.

Thank you for this! This feels like a video I may have to rewatch to let it sink in more (or later, for a reminder). I finally read Till We Have Faces a couple years ago and loved it, though I don't know whether it would have had the same impact earlier in my life. I read the space trilogy in high school and gave up on That Hideous Strength just before the end because it was a slog and I just wasn't getting it. I really need to return to that as well.

Thanks so much for your keen insights in covering TWHF in this video. My favorite Lewis novel, I've always wondered why it remains relatively unknown. I agree it takes work to digest, but oh so rewarding! I like to read it again every few years and always come away with new insights about my relationship with God and others. I have always loved the quote you discuss that references the title of the book, so much so my wife had it framed when we married, a constant reminder to contemplate what it means to have a "face." I've only scratched the surface of that profound mystery, but find joy in the striving and yearning for the answer.

I read it last year after reading a wide range of his other books. If I had read it earlier I probably would agree that it was not a page turner but at the time I couldn’t put it down. The Abolition of Man gets my vote as the most difficult Lewis book.

Few weeks ago I read this book, now I watch lectures and commentaries on it to deepen my understanding of it.

Wonderful book and you give a wonderful exposition of it.

Love the idea of "overflow" explained around 16:40

I remember reading this book in seventh grade and it was haunting and beautiful and so imaginative. It was an amazing real feeling account. It felt like a true classical legend.

I just finished Till We Have Faces a few days ago. It is an absolutely amazing book.

Oh it's so true! I couldn't put this one down, and yet, I never wanted to finish it. In fact I haven't yet, I'm near the end (86% of the way through it.) But I just can't bring myself to the end, because once it's finished, it's finished.

I like C.S Lewis so much! I haven't read Till We Have Faces but now I have to, so I can come back and listen to this video. 😄Lot of interesting and informing content in this channel, thank you for that!

I was converted 43 years ago as a 19 year old medical student. I loved Lewis and have been hugely influenced by him. Till We Have Faces I totally didn't get. Maybe lack of classical education. Maybe lack of awareness of the psychological issues covered. Anyway you've encouraged me to give it another go, I think around book 15 in the queue....

I just started a book club and this is our first book!

I just reread this book and love it. I can learn and compare and reflect more with each reading. I think that the book does contrast between true love - Psyche- and selfish love- Orual. As we come to the close of the book, it is revealed to us, just as it is revealed to her how jealous and selfish Orual's thoughts and actions are. She begins to see herself for what she really is or allowed herself to become. The blatant truth comes out with her reading the scroll at the trial of the gods. We often justify the hurtful things we do to others because we lie to ourselves. We don't see our own selfishness or jealousy or other vices because we convince ourselves that we are right to feel the way we do. It is when we strip ourselves of the ugliness of the lies that we can see the divine within us and become more than before.

Admittedly Till We Have Faces is less popular than Narnia or Screwtape, but I would argue that his first novel, The Pilgrim's Regress, is even less appreciated than Till We Have Faces. The latter is not considered 'incomprehensible' or 'unreadable', as is The Pilgrim's Regress. In fact, I think there are a lot of parallels between the works.

This is at the top of the list of my favourite Lewis books. I first read it as a teenager and hated it; didn't understand it at all and couldn't see any connection with the author of Narnia or the Interplanetary trilogy and TWHT. Then read it again as an older person, and was blown away by it. I suspect I'm not alone in those reactions

I read this book recently and was blown away. It has become without a doubt my favorite book and I've read a lot. I guess I'm one of those few people who are hooked because I could have read it straight through in one night, but I wanted to savor it. Like that critic you mentioned I was amazed at the insight Lewis had into being a woman, and more than that, being a woman who is both respected and rejected, both held above others and belittled for things beyond her control. As a woman, I felt so seen in Orual's ravings against society and men, but also convicted in the realization that I knew she was wrong about other's intentions throughout the book and even more wrong about her own. It was such a beautiful portrayal of conversion and repentance and just coming to a knowledge of your own sin and ugliness. I loved that you both sympathized with Orual and knew she was wrong throughout the book, and it was realistically conflicting. I wish more people would read this book I agree that it is probably Lewis' greatest work!

I remember after having read the book I walked around in a daze for three days. It blew my mind.

I was captivated from the very first sentence of the book

Interesting that people slog through this book. I was hooked instantly when I picked it up and read, “I will accuse the gods.” Humans’ fighting the gods, who stand in for fate or human limitation, is the ethos of epic literature, which I love. In that way, the fact that Orual is wrong makes this book like Paradise Lost, in which the most ostensibly epic character is Satan. I actually thought that Book 2 was a letdown because it contradicted that ethos without a lot of buildup to make it compelling. People who appreciate the ending have caused me to rethink that evaluation, though.

Thank you for this. I don't normally read mythology but I read this for a reading challenge. Your insights have helped me get more out of this book that I finished rezding today.

I saw the beginning of this video paused it and bought the book. I was hooked 😅! I literally couldn't put it down! Thank you so much for the recommendation!

This is also my favorite of Lewis's works and my favorite book of all time. A incredible blend of world building, complex character study, and deep spiritual truth and transcendance.

Loved your take on this book!!

Have read that the protagonist Orual is based on Mrs. CS Lewis, Joy Davidman.

This is my favorite book.

Thank you so much for this. TWHF is my favourite book, and the more I learn about it the more I appreciate it. You mentioned there aren’t many secondary works on this novel, but are there any you’d recommend?

Great analysis! I want to re-read it now. I just wish you had dealt with the struggle between the "primitive" religious impulse and reason embodied in the priest vs. The Fox.

Just finished the book and I absolutely loved it! The only let down is that I can’t read it for the first time again.

I just read it this year, and I thought, "What did I just read?" I think I'm in the camp that is uncomfortable with the pagan/pantheistic milieu, and I didn't know why Lewis wrote it in that setting. You kind of get a vague sense by the end of the book that she has had an encounter with the true God, and that makes all the false conceptions of "holiness" and false religion seem not so important anymore. But it's still a weird inclusion to me, and I never would have written it that way. That could be why conservatives struggle with creativity. We are afraid of erring from reality, from true religion. But you have to deviate from the absolute reality to focus on one aspect of reality in an abstract way. It takes wisdom, the type of wisdom I am sure Lewis had in great measure and that I do not quite have, which is why I prefer to be cautious.

I’m such a fan of Lewis. I recently reread the Space Trilogy and was lamenting that he didn’t write more fiction! That Hideous Strength is my favorite of the three and I look forward to you talking about it. Lewis touches on the false possessive love in The Great Divorce (I just reread it last week, too) in the Ghost character, Michael’s mother - I believe her name is Pam. 😉 Orual’s words “you are yourself the answer” to me echoes Jesus saying “I am the way, the truth and the life.” I just read Good Omens; I found it hilarious but also some interesting (and mostly erroneous, IMO) theology. I wonder if you’ve read it and what your thoughts would be on it.

Love this book!!

I finally understood Pilgrim's Regress with the Wade Annotated Edition. I'd appreciate one for TWHF.

: GRATITUDE. : WAY-TRUTH-LIFE.

Thank you

This is the first c.s lewis book i read and i didn't know who he even was and as i was reading it i was sure it was a female author and so i looked it up and was very surprised lol so its funny to you hear say that about that critic as well.

You are right,, not a page turner,, taken me a long time to get through it… pick it up, put it down,, but always had this strange draw to it.. great book!

I love this book. Such a beautiful picture of human sin, denial, shame, and striving being swallowed up redemption and rest. Even apart from the main themes, it would be good enough just as a literary exploration of the contrast between the thin-as-water greek naturalistic philosophy and the thick-as-blood cult of Ungit. This book does so much.

The verse "can the thing formed say to He that formed him, why have you made me thus" kept popping up in my mind as Orual recites her contentions. Gods Plan does not include questioning, or more precisely "interrogating". Learning need not involve debate, the answer will come in due time, if one really seeks to find it.

Had to read this in my first semester of Why Does God Allow Evil with Clay Jones when he was at Talbot. Though it took me about halfway to really get sucked in.

Needs to be a movie!!

The Great Divorce is also excellent and not too well known!

I saw myself a lot in the Fox. I am facing a lot of difficult changes in my life, and find some perverse comfort in drowning myself in theological works, research, and debates. When the picture-Fox is trying to lead Psyche astray, he said: "Come to me and I'll lead you out of all this darkness; back to the grass plot behind the pear trees, where all was clear, hard, limited, and simple."" Were Psyche to abandon her difficult pursuit, would she feel as I feel now? Before that, the Fox said: "The god within you is the god you should obey: reason, calmness, self-discipline." This theological pursuit of Christ has turned on its head into an intellectual glorifying of myself.

Its so deceiving going towards men who have no influence on our salvation . Salvation is of the Lord.