1. The myth of Eros and Psyche

[Manuel]

Did you know the myth before you read this book? If yes, where did you read about it? If not, are you aware that there are many renditions of the myth, both in literature and the fine arts? Do you intend to read or search for some of them? Why do you think Lewis wished to retell the myth?

[Harry]

I became acquainted with Psyche and Eros in Mythology by Edith Hamilton, a long time. I remember it being one of the better stories.

[Mariangel]

I knew the myth of Eros and Psyche before reading "Till we have faces", but I don't remember where I read it. Some book for children, I guess. I have not read Apuleius.

"Till we have faces" does not dwell on the tasks that Psyche needs to complete during her banishment, they are only hinted at during Orual's dreams. But when I first read the myth, the tasks made an impression on me, because they were the same tasks that appear in many well known fairy tales: For example, separating different seeds was one of Cinderella's tasks in the Grimm Brothers version. Also, the two sisters sowing distrust on Psyche out of jealousy is used in Beauty and the Beast.

[Skrivena stranica]

I knew of it before from Apuleius's Golden Ass. Lewis's work is much better in my opinion.

[Sarah]

During my childhood, I grew up with a book on myths from around the world, and Cupid and Psyche was one of the Roman stories. I was always fascinated by many aspects of this tale, including Cupid’s initial secrecy (I found the mental image of Psyche holding a candle to view the handsome, sleeping Cupid quite striking) and Psyche’s dedication. In addition, Psyche’s fallibility interested me a lot. I saw in the Louvre Museum Canova’s rendition of “Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss”, which I find absolutely beautiful and the epitome of tenderness.

I have not even started the C.S. Lewis, so I am excited to see how he might have changed the tale in his rendition from what I remembered as a child.

[John]

I read a lot of (censored) Greek Myths as a child, but I never really came across the myth. Only became acquainted with it while reading the book.

[Manuel]

Although I knew about the myth before, my first real dealing with it took place when I read Lewis's version back in 1981. By 1994 I had read it four times. Then in 1995 I finally read Apuleius's original version. I liked Lewis's version better.

[Elisabeth]

I am quite well aquainted with the myth- I don't think I ever really liked it, but I didn't dislike it either.

[John]

I have probably read the myth before, but it never made much of an impression on me, so I had no standard to measure Lewis' story against.

[Madeleine]

Sarah wrote: " I was always fascinated by many aspects of this tale, including Cupid’s initial secrecy (I found the mental image of Psyche holding a candle to view the handsome, sleeping Cupid quite striking) and Psyche’s dedication. In addition, Psyche’s fallibility interested me a lot." I'm with you, Sarah. As a teen, this was my favorite Greek/Roman myth. Touching on it again in college and prior to reading Lewis's book for the first time many years ago, I picked up on moral allegory--the gods in these myths always punish mortals when they get too curious! And the goddesses don't like mortals being too attractive to the gods. And Cupid was not able to prevent the eventual mother-in-law problems. And I loved the happy ending. Then I read Lewis's book, and honestly did not like it. Now that I'm much much older, I will take it up again (so far have not had a chance to pick up a new copy, but will. I'm behind in everything these days!)

[Mariangel]

I liked Lewis's book very much the first time, when I was in college. I have read it twice after that and it gets better every time.

[Catherine]

I read Cupid and Psyche a long time ago in school but don’t remember the specifics of the story. I’m just now starting “Till We Have Faces” and am not sure what to expect. Fantasy is not a genre I typically read so I have to confess that as soon as I started reading a feeling of dread came over me. However, Lewis is drawing me in so I’m feeling a bit more optimistic that I’ll enjoy this book.

[Fonch]

John wrote: "I read a lot of (censored) Greek Myths as a child, but I never really came across the myth. Only became acquainted with it while reading the book."

Hello John i love that you join to our discussion. This topic is more well known by my sister, but one of the things who made me very popular at the School it was my big knowledge of Greek Mythology, indeed i would like to read The Oddissey by Homer is one of the challenge that i have to do it. I would like to recomend because yesterday i recommended in my review (long and bored review of Baldur`s Gates Shadows of Amn https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) it is the novel of the Father Augustine Wetta https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... In my humble opinion and C.S. Lewis said in his foreword C.S. Lewis employed the myth of Eros and Psyche narrated by Apuleius to tell the story of Orual. He told an alternative story different to the greek myth, his story. Indeed he confesses that he found the Apuleius story nasty and unpleasent. This is the Orual`s spiritual`s way and it is her story.

[Mary]

I will pedantically note that Apuleius is not the original, it's merely the oldest we've got. We know it's older because there is artwork depicting scenes from the story that's older than his work.

(Plus of course it's a widespread tale type.)

[Manuel]

Mary wrote: "I will pedantically note that Apuleius is not the original, it's merely the oldest we've got. We know it's older because there is artwork depicting scenes from the story that's older than his work...."

True! I take back the word "original" in my comment.

[Fonch]

It is probable that Mrs. Catelli is right about Apulleius.

[John]

Fonch wrote: "John wrote: "I read a lot of (censored) Greek Myths as a child, but I never really came across the myth. Only became acquainted with it while reading the book."

Hello John i love that you join to ..."

It was inevitable that there would eventually be another John. When John posted his comment, I thought there wasn't a problem because the profile pictures are different. But that doesn't resolve it when there are replies. So I've changed my profile to include my last name. Welcome to the discussions, John.

[John]

John wrote: "Fonch wrote: "John wrote: "I read a lot of (censored) Greek Myths as a child, but I never really came across the myth. Only became acquainted with it while reading the book."

Hello John i love tha..."

Well, I thought I had.

[Manuel]

John wrote: "Well, I thought I had."

Your last name appears in your profile, but for comments only the Christian name is used. I, for instance, am just Manuel.

As Fonch's Goodreads name is actually a nickname, it's difficult that another Fonch will come here :-)

[Fonch]

John wrote: "Fonch wrote: "John wrote: "I read a lot of (censored) Greek Myths as a child, but I never really came across the myth. Only became acquainted with it while reading the book."

Hello John i love tha..."

Ah John the John, whom you reffer is my friend John Pretorius a south african writer of christian fantasy. He is not catholic but he usually like the catholic fiction i am very happy that he decided to participate in the discussion and i wish he participated more in our discussions.
Well about the story of Fonch, this name was put in La Salle School at the beggining did not like me but the majority of my classmates in Lasalle School had a nickname and i saw that he called Fonch because they loved me and i also love them. For me it is a proud to be known as Fonch, because this an evidence to the affection that my classmates in La Salle feel for me.
I have never known the origin of the name but it is possible that i have a clue. My friend Guechu or Cachuchi called me Alfonchepa it is owe to that it was possible when i was in La Salle school i carry the racksack plenty of books and this thing made me to have a hump because i bore the bag in my back. I think that it is the origin of the name know Fonch is my artistic name and all my friends call by this way but it is the symbol of my affectione to my La Salle classmate and a way to remind them.

PD. My friend the Professor Manuel Alfonseca know my authentic name :-).
PD II. how Lagardere there is only one Fonch in Catholic Book Club :-).
PD III. I like your surname beloved moderator ;-).

[Stef]

I read it first in a children's book when I was little, simplified. And then read Edith Hamilton's. Read Till We Have Faces for the first time 6 years ago and rereading it now. Then and now I was reminded of at least a couple of other fairy tales that contain similar elements particularly the lover that keeps himself hidden at night. I think one was East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

[Mary]

Oh, yes, it's a definite variant of East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Here are some others, for the curious:
https://www.surlalunefairytales.com/a...

[Manuel]

Mary wrote: "Oh, yes, it's a definite variant of East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Here are some others, for the curious:
https://www.surlalunefairytales.com/a..."

I'd rather say that "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" is a variant of the myth of Eros and Psyche :) The fairy tale, although originally older, was first published in the 19th century, while the Greek myth, also originally older, was first published (that we know) in the second century.

[Mary]

Cupid and Psyche is, however, an atypical variant, so the folklorists use a more typical one.

[Mary]

I am pretty sure I read it in Bulfinch's Mythology as a child, and I don't know how often after that. I far prefer Lewis's version because he does justice to both the "evil sisters" and presents them as human beings. A major theme of the novel is jealousy--Orual's for Psyche, Revidal's for Psyche, Orual's for Revidal, and there are many more instances. It's handled with great depth and compassion, IMHO.

[Fonch]

I agree with Mary about the myth of Eros and Psyche and about the jealous although there is a relation of Jealous Orual and The Mountain's God. This is the key to understand the novel.