Which C.S. Lewis book tells the story of Orual, a queen in the ancient world?

Till We Have Faces tells the story of Orual, a queen in the ancient world. C.S. Lewis published the novel in 1956, describing it as a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche.

Orual narrates the book as a ruler looking back over her life, her family, and her relationship with her half-sister Psyche. The story is set in the fictional kingdom of Glome, where political power and religious belief shape the characters’ choices.

Unlike the Narnia books, Till We Have Faces is written for an adult audience and has a darker, more psychologically complex tone. Lewis considered it one of his best works, and many critics regard it as his most accomplished novel.

The title comes from the novel’s concern with honesty, self-knowledge, and the ways people hide behind roles or accusations. The work’s classical source is important, but Lewis substantially reshaped the myth rather than simply retelling it.