I don't know. I recently listened to The Screwtape Letters (the FotF radio drama) and I wouldn't call it apologetic (as in defending something). It was more a philosophical discussion in a fictional frame, if that makes sense. Same with The Great Divorce; the frame story is obviously that, a fictional story, but Lewis uses it brilliantly to explore spiritual concepts.

It's all part of Lewis' genius — it's hard to pigeonhole his works into neat categories! And that was very deliberate on his part. Douglas Gresham gives a little afterword on the Screwtape radio drama, and one of the things he mentions is how Lewis politely refused the request of a scholar to create a topical index for the book. According to Lewis, such an index would give the game away; it would attract the notice of those watchful dragons.

So I wouldn't be afraid to call these particular works "fiction," though a case may be made for both sides. I tend to categorize them in my personal library as "theological fiction," a tag that acknowledges the frame as well as the content.

Thanks DOECOG! My copy is in the mail and should reach me by the end of the week. I've been wanting to read this book for a long time. 🙂

Please see our Word to Younger Readers if you would consider yourself to be in that category

Yeehaw! I read the book in March at student convention, and it was absolutely shattering. Revolutionary. It's my new favorite Lewis book, as a matter of fact. I borrowed it from a friend just two or three weeks ago and read it again--even took a lot of notes!--so I'm very eager to hear and to share.

My copy is on order and I'm looking forward to reading this book with everyone!

It has been a wonderful surprise to find there is a new reading group and about Till We Have Faces. I read it two years ago and absolutely loved it. I was deeply moved by this retelling of a classic myth which has always been a favourite of mine. Besides, its style, so completely different from the Narnia books, showed me how skilled was Lewis as a writer.
I am really looking forward to being part of this new reading group!

Thanks, DOECOG!! I can't find our copy--I think maybe our sister owns it and it's at her house now. And the library we're going past today doesn't have a copy. So.. yeah. Thanks!

Well, I picked it up today from the library so I'll finish the three chapters tonight as far as I can. This will be my first time reading the whole book, so I'm looking forward to reading it and discussing.

I'm having trouble not reading on . When do we continue to read?

I got my copy in the mail today. I'll be reading it in just a few minutes...

The first batch of questions is up! Let's dig in

GtG, you can feel free to read ahead if you like. All that we ask is that you wait to discuss each chapter until we officially reach it (and if you do need to mention something that happens later in the book, use spoiler boxes). My first time reading Till We Have Faces I read it all in one sitting. I couldn't put it down

Can't wait to really delve into this book with all of you!

^oh yay! You don't know what a hard time I've had restraining myself from reading the next chapters!

Oh we can read ahead as long as we only discuss the three chapters for this week? W00t! I was finishing the three chapters last night, kept on saying "just one more!" and then found that I was done with thirteen chapters and fretted that I would be banned from the reading group.

Oh no, we don't penalize people for reading ahead. I would be first in line if that was the case

What is your favorite thing about the book so far?

Bella: haha too funny! I considered having my sisters hiding it from me .

wisewoman: my favorite thing is the writing! I love Lewis' style like this .