Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold
10 journalers for this copy...
Discription from Amazon.com
This tale of two princesses - one beautiful and one unattractive - and of the struggle between sacred and profane love is Lewis’s reworking of the myth of Cupid and Psyche and one of his most enduring works.
This is a fantastic story that takes place in the pre-christian kingdom of Glome. It's about faith, philosophy and love, but mostly love. Orual loves her sister Psyche in a most unhealthy way and when Psyche finds happiness with Cupid, Orual destroys it. Throughout the book, Orual is trying to come to terms with her love and loss.
I read this as a Valentine theme book for my local bookcrossers group. I can't wait to discuss it with them. We meet 2/13/07 at Bad Ass Coffee Company on Southside Blvd. in Jacksonville, FL. If you're around, please join us.
This tale of two princesses - one beautiful and one unattractive - and of the struggle between sacred and profane love is Lewis’s reworking of the myth of Cupid and Psyche and one of his most enduring works.
This is a fantastic story that takes place in the pre-christian kingdom of Glome. It's about faith, philosophy and love, but mostly love. Orual loves her sister Psyche in a most unhealthy way and when Psyche finds happiness with Cupid, Orual destroys it. Throughout the book, Orual is trying to come to terms with her love and loss.
I read this as a Valentine theme book for my local bookcrossers group. I can't wait to discuss it with them. We meet 2/13/07 at Bad Ass Coffee Company on Southside Blvd. in Jacksonville, FL. If you're around, please join us.
I enjoyed this so much, I want to share it. I'm starting an international bookring for it. Basic Guidelines (cobbled together from the many out there)
1. As soon as you receive the book, journal it and PM the next person for an address. If they don't respond let me know, and we'll work something out.
2. If you've been asked for an address, but you're unable to accept the book, please let the person before you know, and also notify me.. We may be able to shift the order around so that you can receive the book when you have more time for it.
3. If you are unable to keep the book moving within 4 weeks, please notify me. I understand that life happens, just please keep me in the loop.
4. Journal your thoughts, impressions about the book and send it on it's way.
Participants
TracyShannon Germany
samulli Germany
Nell-Lu United Kingdom
PDB11 United Kingdom
jazz-ee2 United Kingdom
Kittyreads South Africa
sqdancer Canada <-- Traveling to...
peaceofpi Canada
Karenlea CA, USA
sistert MD, USA
LadyKnightNiko OH, USA
...Back to me!
*2/14/07* Off to Germany!
The book arrived safely yesterday afternoon. Thank you so much for including me. :) I'm looking forward to reading it....
I have finished the book and it will be off to samulli soon. :)
I'm not really sure what I thought of this book. It was so sad. As always, I was amazed at Mr. Lewis' ability to capture human nature and emotions.
Thank you for including me, colebear!
ETA: Mailed 01 March 07
I'm not really sure what I thought of this book. It was so sad. As always, I was amazed at Mr. Lewis' ability to capture human nature and emotions.
Thank you for including me, colebear!
ETA: Mailed 01 March 07
The book was just delivered to my door. Nice service, that. ;o)
I just started reading another (quite thick) bookring book, so this one has to be patient for a few days until I get to it. Will try to not keep it too long.
I just started reading another (quite thick) bookring book, so this one has to be patient for a few days until I get to it. Will try to not keep it too long.
Well, I've read it, but I can't say it was pleasure. I finished it out of pure stubbornness, I think. I had trouble with the way people talk (what's all this stuff with the parentheses in the middle of sentences? it totally interrupts the flow of the writing) and with the overall writing style, so I could hardly concentrate on the story itself. Additionally I had hardly any recollection of the original myth of Psyche and Cupid, so I was glad to read it in the backnotes of the book (which as usual I read first).
I can't really say if I liked it or not, I only know it bored me to tears and I'm glad I am done with it. Maybe after a while the story itself will speak to me. But, honestly, I doubt it.
Contrary to what to blurb says I definitely do not think this is "the most significant and triumphant work that Lewis has produced", but then again, all I ever read by him were the Narnia-books, which I liked infinitely better. Probably I just didn't grasp the significance in this book...
Thanks anyway, colebear, for letting me join this ring. I have already contacted Nell-Lu and hope to have the book travelling by next week.
I can't really say if I liked it or not, I only know it bored me to tears and I'm glad I am done with it. Maybe after a while the story itself will speak to me. But, honestly, I doubt it.
Contrary to what to blurb says I definitely do not think this is "the most significant and triumphant work that Lewis has produced", but then again, all I ever read by him were the Narnia-books, which I liked infinitely better. Probably I just didn't grasp the significance in this book...
Thanks anyway, colebear, for letting me join this ring. I have already contacted Nell-Lu and hope to have the book travelling by next week.
I have got Nell-Lu's address now and will send off the book tomorrow morning.
This arrived earlier this week while I was away - thanks samulli for sending it and colebear for starting the ring. I have a couple of books to be read first, so will get on to this one next week. I'm looking forward to it!
What a strange book!
In some ways it was very compelling. I found it hard to put down - each time I promised myself I would stop reading at the end of a chapter there would be a cliff-hanger which would force me to start the next chapter. The message about love not being selfish was effectively, if not subtly, communicated. But, I didn't find I grew to care about any of the characters. I struggled with the idea that Orual was so ugly that no-one could love her (surely that isn't possible? Perhaps she didn't pay enough attention to the love of the Fox and the women of her household, which would have given her the self-confidence to believe she could be loved) and even more that she was unmarriageable – as the eldest daughter of a son-less king, her hand would certainly be too valuable for her face to matter. Perhaps C. S. Lewis simply couldn’t reconcile a strong, intelligent person gaining self-knowledge and a woman, so had to make Orual effectively neuter?
I've got PDB11's address and will package this up to take to the Post Office tomorrow. Thanks again, colebear, for sharing.
In some ways it was very compelling. I found it hard to put down - each time I promised myself I would stop reading at the end of a chapter there would be a cliff-hanger which would force me to start the next chapter. The message about love not being selfish was effectively, if not subtly, communicated. But, I didn't find I grew to care about any of the characters. I struggled with the idea that Orual was so ugly that no-one could love her (surely that isn't possible? Perhaps she didn't pay enough attention to the love of the Fox and the women of her household, which would have given her the self-confidence to believe she could be loved) and even more that she was unmarriageable – as the eldest daughter of a son-less king, her hand would certainly be too valuable for her face to matter. Perhaps C. S. Lewis simply couldn’t reconcile a strong, intelligent person gaining self-knowledge and a woman, so had to make Orual effectively neuter?
I've got PDB11's address and will package this up to take to the Post Office tomorrow. Thanks again, colebear, for sharing.
I got this weeks ago and forgot to make an entry. Apologies to all concerned.
It's a bit heavier going than I expected, but I'm about 3/4 the way through, and hope to finish this weekend.
It's a bit heavier going than I expected, but I'm about 3/4 the way through, and hope to finish this weekend.
I cannot now remember who recommended this book to me. I can't say it was bad advice, but I did find the book much heavier going than I expected.
The re-telling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the point of view of one of Psyche's sisters was very well done. It made some good points, especially that of having to come to terms with one's own motives. But there were places where the story didn't seem to advance, and at the end I felt as though I'd been preached at rather than told a story.
But on the whole I'm glad to have read a book by Lewis that I hadn't even known about until a few months ago.
I have written Jazz-ee's address on a jiffy bag, and I hope to post the book tomorrow.
The re-telling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the point of view of one of Psyche's sisters was very well done. It made some good points, especially that of having to come to terms with one's own motives. But there were places where the story didn't seem to advance, and at the end I felt as though I'd been preached at rather than told a story.
But on the whole I'm glad to have read a book by Lewis that I hadn't even known about until a few months ago.
I have written Jazz-ee's address on a jiffy bag, and I hope to post the book tomorrow.
Journal Entry 12 by jazz-ee2 from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Saturday, May 26, 2007
This book arrived last week but I have not had chance to journal it before now - sorry! Looks interesting, look forward to giving it a whirl after the 2 books I am curently reading.
Journal Entry 13 by jazz-ee2 from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I must first of all apologise for having this book for so long, life having been pretty hectic.
When I first saw the book I thought it looked pretty daunting, and thought it would be a heavy read, which is one of the reasons I didn't get to it immediately, however when I started reading it I loved it! I love the voice it is written in, quite naive and almost childlike throughout, however dark the story may get.
I think it reminds me of a book I would have read as a child - not that it is a child's book (I was a precocious reader) but that if I had read it as a child I would have been completely captivated from start to finish, loving the fantastical element, and it probably would have been one of my favourite books ever. Even as an adult I did enjoy it and would certainly say it is worth the effort in picking it up and starting to read it - once you start, you'll be hooked!
Thanks for organising this book ring colebear - this is certainly one of those books that I may never have read had it not been for BookCrossing.
When I first saw the book I thought it looked pretty daunting, and thought it would be a heavy read, which is one of the reasons I didn't get to it immediately, however when I started reading it I loved it! I love the voice it is written in, quite naive and almost childlike throughout, however dark the story may get.
I think it reminds me of a book I would have read as a child - not that it is a child's book (I was a precocious reader) but that if I had read it as a child I would have been completely captivated from start to finish, loving the fantastical element, and it probably would have been one of my favourite books ever. Even as an adult I did enjoy it and would certainly say it is worth the effort in picking it up and starting to read it - once you start, you'll be hooked!
Thanks for organising this book ring colebear - this is certainly one of those books that I may never have read had it not been for BookCrossing.
Journal Entry 14 by Kittyreads from Ekurhuleni - Benoni, Gauteng South Africa on Friday, January 4, 2008
I received this book today from jazz-ee2. Thank you for sending it. This is a bookring, by first one and i look forward to reading the book and passing it on to the next person on the list.
Journal Entry 15 by Kittyreads from Ekurhuleni - Benoni, Gauteng South Africa on Monday, February 11, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am sending it to the next person on the bookring list, sqdancer in Canada.
Thank you for using real stamps, Kittyreads! My sister collects stamps and I will pass them on to her.
We are short-staffed at work and working overtime, but I will try my best to get this book back on it's travels within four weeks.
We are short-staffed at work and working overtime, but I will try my best to get this book back on it's travels within four weeks.
Released 15 yrs ago (10/17/2008 UTC) at Port Moody , British Columbia Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent afternoon of October 17, 2008 via Xpresspost
Tracking Number: LT 346 437 626 CA
My sincere apologies for misplacing and forgetting this bookring.
(thank goodness I found the box where hubby had packed it)
A big Thank you! to peaceofpi for gently jogging my (obviously hopeless) memory!
Sent afternoon of October 17, 2008 via Xpresspost
Tracking Number: LT 346 437 626 CA
My sincere apologies for misplacing and forgetting this bookring.
(thank goodness I found the box where hubby had packed it)
A big Thank you! to peaceofpi for gently jogging my (obviously hopeless) memory!
Wa-hoo, it's here! Thanks sqdancer for passing it along :) I'll be right on it, I can't wait!
A brilliantly written masterful re-working of the myth of Cupid & Psyche.
The protagonist is Orual, Psyche’s older sister and mother figure. Told entirely from Orual’s perspective the book is a penetrating look at not only several types of love but also on beauty and the role it plays, on logic vs. faith, logic vs. superstition, and on gender roles. It also takes an interesting and thought-provoking look at state religion (in this case a type of paganism) as a spiritual and political tool.
Orual loves Psyche above all else; in fact she is passionately possessive of her. Orual feels she has raised, taught, and loved Psyche as no other – who better to choose what is best for Psyche than one that loves (and has always loved) her. Orual’s passion leads her to extreme actions, and in a pivotal and beautifully written scene the relationship between the two sisters changes.
[Psyche to Orual] “You are indeed teaching me about a kind of love I did not know. It is like looking into a deep pit. I am not sure whether I like your kind better than hatred. Oh Orual – to take my love for you, because you know it goes down to my very roots and cannot be diminished by any other newer love, and then to make of it a tool, a weapon, a thing of policy and mastery, an instrument of torture – I begin to think I never knew you. Whatever comes after, something that was between us dies here.”
Orual’s voice throughout the narrative is honest from her limited point of view. As the story unfolds Orual learns, grows and comes to some meaningful conclusions about herself, the gods, and love.
Any follower of Greek & Roman mythology will find this retelling a more than satisfactory addition to the tradition. Fans of discussions on philosophy & religion will find a healthy dose of logic in the character of Fox (teacher of Greek logic) and of religious belief in Bardia the warrior and others. And those who love a character study will find Orual to be human, flawed & believable.
A mix of myth, parable & character study, it has multiple layers to offer the reader.
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I haven't heard back from the next on the list Karenlea. I'm going to PM sistert...
Thanks so much for sharing colebear, this book was worth the wait :)
The protagonist is Orual, Psyche’s older sister and mother figure. Told entirely from Orual’s perspective the book is a penetrating look at not only several types of love but also on beauty and the role it plays, on logic vs. faith, logic vs. superstition, and on gender roles. It also takes an interesting and thought-provoking look at state religion (in this case a type of paganism) as a spiritual and political tool.
Orual loves Psyche above all else; in fact she is passionately possessive of her. Orual feels she has raised, taught, and loved Psyche as no other – who better to choose what is best for Psyche than one that loves (and has always loved) her. Orual’s passion leads her to extreme actions, and in a pivotal and beautifully written scene the relationship between the two sisters changes.
[Psyche to Orual] “You are indeed teaching me about a kind of love I did not know. It is like looking into a deep pit. I am not sure whether I like your kind better than hatred. Oh Orual – to take my love for you, because you know it goes down to my very roots and cannot be diminished by any other newer love, and then to make of it a tool, a weapon, a thing of policy and mastery, an instrument of torture – I begin to think I never knew you. Whatever comes after, something that was between us dies here.”
Orual’s voice throughout the narrative is honest from her limited point of view. As the story unfolds Orual learns, grows and comes to some meaningful conclusions about herself, the gods, and love.
Any follower of Greek & Roman mythology will find this retelling a more than satisfactory addition to the tradition. Fans of discussions on philosophy & religion will find a healthy dose of logic in the character of Fox (teacher of Greek logic) and of religious belief in Bardia the warrior and others. And those who love a character study will find Orual to be human, flawed & believable.
A mix of myth, parable & character study, it has multiple layers to offer the reader.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I haven't heard back from the next on the list Karenlea. I'm going to PM sistert...
Thanks so much for sharing colebear, this book was worth the wait :)
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
In the post and on its way to sistert...
Enjoy sistert...and thanks all for keeping it moving!
In the post and on its way to sistert...
Enjoy sistert...and thanks all for keeping it moving!
Received and will start as soon as possible. Thanks. =)
OH GOOD GRIEF! I didn't realize I still had this one! Apparently the DH thought he was being helpful and shelved this one. It wasn't until I was re-cataloging books that I found this one. Ugh! So sorry. Contacting LadyKnightNiko now!!!
