About this episode
Dr Rowan Williams joins Andy and John to discuss C.S. Lewis's last novel, Till We Have Faces, exploring its themes and critical reception.
Dr Rowan Williams, theologian, poet and former Archbishop of Canterbury, joins Andy and John for a thoughtful and moving discussion of Till We Have Faces (1956), the last novel by C.S. Lewis. This episode was recorded in London in June 2025. Although not as well-reviewed as his previous work, C.S. Lewis believed Till We Have Faces to be "far and away my best book". Over the 70 years since publication, critical opinion has risen in line with the author's estimation. The book shows a more troubled, less dogmatic side to Lewis that that displayed in The Case for Christianity or, for that matter, The Chronicles of Narnia. The novel is a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, a story that haunted Lewis ever since he was an undergraduate. It is an endlessly fascinating text that cannot be pinned down easily, and we were very fortunate to be able to discuss it with Rowan Williams, who has a lifetime of experience reading Lewis, and this book in particular. We hope you get as much from the conversation, and from reading the novel, as we have. * To purchase any of the books mentioned in this episode please visit our bookshop at uk.bookshop.org/shop/backlisted where all profits help to…
People in this episode
Hosts: Andy, John
Guest: Dr Rowan Williams
Topics covered
- C.S. Lewis
- Till We Have Faces
- literary discussion
- myth retelling
- theology
- critical opinion
Keywords
- C.S. Lewis
- Till We Have Faces
- Rowan Williams
- literature
- myth of Cupid and Psyche
- theology
- book discussion
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Till We Have Faces, The Case for Christianity, The Chronicles of Narnia
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