The Pilgrim's Progress

Feb 04, 2013 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, classics, christian-theology

I have a few versions of this on my shelves from the nicely bound hard back to paper backs I can hand out (you know "loan").

This is (as I'm sure most already know) an allegorical journey depicting the struggles of living the Christian life. John Bunyan was a Baptist imprisoned when it was against the law to be a be Baptist. He was imprisoned for (aprox.) twelve years for refusing to convert to Anglicanism (Church of England)...this sort of thing by the way is the reason for the first amendment,...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Ian Graye rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Response to Paul Bryant's Review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Mr. Honest

Then it came to pass a while after, that there was a post in the town that inquired for Mr. Honest Paul Bryant.

So he came to the house where he was, and delivered to his hand these lines: “Thou art commanded to be ready against this day seven-night, to present thyself before thy Lord at his Father’s house.

“And for a token that my message is true, all the daughters of music, even the mothers of invention, shall...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Jessica marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: 17th-century-work, puritan-work, fiction, not-own

The Pilgrim's Progress is a wonderful work written by a 17th-century Puritan, John Bunyan, from his cell prison in a trying time of persecution. Rich in Biblical theology, it is the best-known allegory of the Christian's life. It tells the story of a pilgrim named Christian as he walked a journey from the City of Destruction (where he lived before his conversion) to the Celestial City (an allegory of heaven), sharing with us the many challenges, obstacles, comfort, and encouragement Christian en...more

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Mar 31, 2011 K.D. Oliveros rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to K.D. by: 501 Must Read Books, 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

Shelves: classics, 501, religion, 1001-non-core

Fascinating allegory about man’s search for salvation. The fact that this was first published in 1678 by John Bunyan (1628-1688) and its message still rings true up to now makes this an appropriate read for those who believe in life after death. The only problem is that if you hate classics, then you will find this a struggle to read. Methinks however, that if you like novels with pilgrimage as theme (Paolo Coelho’s Pilgrimage is a good example) or those even crusade adventures like Lord of the...more Fascinating allegory about man’s search for salvation. The fact that this was first published in 1678 by John Bunyan (1628-1688) and its message still rings true up to now makes this an appropriate read for those who believe in life after death. The only problem is that if you hate classics, then you will find this a struggle to read. Methinks however, that if you like novels with pilgrimage as theme (Paolo Coelho’s Pilgrimage is a good example) or those even crusade adventures like Lord of the Rings, Sword in a Stone, etc., you might find this interesting. Just substitute Celestial City as the destination instead of Mordor (LOTR) and salvation (instead of excalibur (Sword in a Stone) and they are all just the same banana.

The story is divided into 2 parts. The first part has Christian, the father, who dreams one night of a book saying that he will die in pain if he does not find salvation. In that dream, a man called Evangelist has told him that salvation can be found in Celestial City. In the morning, he asks his wife and children if they want to accompany him. They refused. So Christian was joined by two of his neighbors, Obstinate and Pliable but later, the first one goes back. Then soon after experiencing the Slough of Despond, Pliable goes back too to the town where they originate. What follows is the story of Christian’s journey and the people he meets along the way: Help, Worldly Wiseman, Formalist, Hypocrisy, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, Charity, Goodwill, Interpreter, Shining Ones, Apollyon (the devil), Faithful, Talkative, Mr. By-ends, Demas, Giant Despair, Diffidence, Temporary, Ignorance, Flatterer, Atheist, and Hopeful.

Since the first part is about the father, the second is about his family taking the same route to Celestial City. Christian’s wife, Christiana and their sons: Matthew, Joseph, Samuel and James, change their minds and follow Christian to the Celestial City. However, maybe not to bore the readers, there is almost a new set of characters and adventures that Christian in Part 1 did not meet or go through: Sagacity, Mercy, Interpreter, Ill-Favored Ones, Reliever, Mr. Great-Heart, Watchful, Grim, Mr. Brisk, Mercy, Matthew, Dr. Skill, Maul, Mr. Brisk, Old Honest, Mr. Fearing, Gaius, Giant Good-Slay, Heedless, Too-Bold, Mr. Feeble-Mind, Mr. Ready-to-Halt, Mr. Mnason, Contrite, Valiant-for-Truth, Standfast, and Madam Bubble,
I still remember the board game called Snakes and Ladders. This novel is similar to that. Among the characters listed, there are those who are snakes (Apollyon, Obstinate) and there are those who are ladders (Mr. Great-Heart, Help, Faithful, Helpful). The names are obvious so you can figure for yourself.

The use of these terms as names instead of fictional names seems to obviously indicate their roles in the journeys. However, I think it adds to the book’s charm and it makes it an easy read even after 4 decades since its first publication.

Being an allegory, however, it hardly elicited any faith-awakening emotion from me. It is more of an adventure or a fable intended for children. It is just fascinating to be exposed to a 17th century work that deals on faith. Then of course, learning that it had strong influences on the succeeding writers like Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, E. E. Cummings, Alan Moore makes this a worthwhile read.(less)

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Mar 17, 2008 Ryan rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-fiction, religion-theology, fiction, own

So you know when you hear that Citizen Kane is the best movie ever because of how revolutionary it was during its time period, and then you watch it and you realize that the key phrase is "during its time period"? Well, reading Pilgrim's Progress is likely to leave many with the same feeling. No doubt one of the greatest modern religious texts in terms of what it provided for early Puritans (an easy and concrete representation of their theology and daily living practices), it leaves a little to...more

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Jan 19, 2009 Tara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just read this for the second time. It is really an amazing story. Through various characters that the pilgrim, Christian, and later his wife, Christiana, meet in their journies, we are introduced to various aspects of our own character and how those traits can help or hinder us in life's journey. The journey/story can get tedious at times, and while the story doesn't have the drama or excitement of a C.S. Lewis book, I find that John Bunyan's understanding of the scriptures in the 17th centur...more

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Sep 01, 2007 Paul rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this book during my second deployment to Iraq as well and it took me quite a while to finish it. I had seen this book referenced often and I wanted to read it on my own. The overall consensus is that it is a very compelling book and will pull at your soul's emotional strings with its simplicity and candor. But also there were three major hurdles to finishing this book--for me, at least:

It was first published in 1678 so it is not an easy read. The diction is alien to me, but also one does...more I read this book during my second deployment to Iraq as well and it took me quite a while to finish it. I had seen this book referenced often and I wanted to read it on my own. The overall consensus is that it is a very compelling book and will pull at your soul's emotional strings with its simplicity and candor. But also there were three major hurdles to finishing this book--for me, at least:

It was first published in 1678 so it is not an easy read. The diction is alien to me, but also one does not fall into the parlance of Mr. Bunyan's time as easily as even the made-up language of A Clockwork Orange. Here is an example of the text: "Mercy. Then said Mercy, I confess my ignorance: I spake what I understood not: I acknowledge that thou doest all things well." Yikes. Also, the original was not written like a screenplay so it is at times confusing who is speaking to whom. Luckily, the Penguin Classics version marks all dialog with the speaker as a preface in italics.

Secondly, the allegory is very simple. The characters names are the likes of: "Mr. Great-Heart, Mr. Timorous, Mr. Feeble-Minded, the Giant Despair," etc. The situations that all the characters face are definitely unique, but not so riveting as a result of surprise. This barrier for me though is acceptable: the stark simplicity of the journey actually increases the voracity of Bunyan's words. The story is not for the sake of story-telling; the allegory actually need not be so imaginative in this case.

Finally, and this may seem superficial, but Bunyan's poetry skills are pretty awful. The poem opens with a long bit of rhyming poetry that almost made me quit reading. Ironically, the poem is an apology of Bunyan's allegorical shortcomings. I still didn't enjoy reading the poems. I actually found myself skipping even the shortest attempts at rhyme in the plot by the first 30 pages of the book. I find it interesting that Bunyan's prose can be so powerful that he felt the need to attempt ABAB style poetry in his work. Maybe he felt the need to counter the beautiful epic style of John Milton's Paradise Lost (published first about 12 years before TPP). I don't know, but either way--it is a serious barrier.

Bunyan earns most of his Paul Dollars (approximately worth 5 Shrewt bucks or 1000 Stanley Nickles, for you Office fans) in the transcendence of the story into the heart of the Christian reader. I felt Bunyan's soul guiding Christian through his pilgrimage. At the beginning of the story when Christian tells his plans to his family, they chastise him and mock him--after ignoring him of course. As he finally departs alone, his family and neighbors snub him and hurl curses from both sides of the road. This forces Christian to "put his fingers in his ears" and run as quickly as possible away from the City of Destruction. You can't help but be captivated by Christian's steadfast loyalty to his mission: going to Heaven, or the "land beyond the river that has no bridge."

Here are some examples of Bunyan's greatest words:

"No man can tell what in combat attends us but he that hath been in the battle himself." (Page 113) after he fights the demon Apollyon.

In reply to Christan's query, "tell me particularly what effect this [a vision of Christ) had upon your spirit," Hopeful answers with conviction that almost wrought me with tears:

"It made me greatly ashamed of the vileness of my former life, and confounded me with the sense of mine own ignorance; for there never came thought into mine heart before now that showed me so the beauty of Jesus Christ. It made me love a holy life, and long to do something for the honour and glory of the name of the Lord Jesus. Yea, I thought that had I now a thousand gallons of blood in my body, I could spill it all for the sake of the Lord Jesus." (Page 125)

Awesome.

This book was a good spiritual book for me at this time in my life. I recommend it for anyone who wishes to keep the fire of their faith burning.
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Sep 01, 2007 Stephen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: literature

simply amazing. There is a reason why many literary critics consider this the best Christian book/read next to the Bible. This book although not a difficult read compared to other literary classics will definitely challenge you with its many allegories and metaphors of the Christian life. For anyone who thinks the Christian life is a soft cushy way needs to read this book.

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Sep 29, 2009 Emily rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, classics

This isn't easy for me to do, but I admit it. I give up. I can't make myself slog through this anymore.

I picked this up as part of my ongoing project to read classics I've somehow missed out on in the first 31 years of my life. Also, an old friend listed it as one of her 20 Most Memorable Books on facebook, so I was expecting to be moved. Or instructed. Or touched. Maybe that was part of the problem. But I've had it out from the library for 6 weeks, renewed it once already, the due date is loomi...more

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May 18, 2012 Megan Larson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-fiction

I wish I had received all the nuggets this book has to offer in my first reading, but I'm positive I didn't. However, I am firmly committed to reading it again, because the nuggets I did get were a blessing: even on the most basic level, imagining the Christian walk as a physical journey with actual hills and valleys and byways from the narrow road is helpful (and biblical!). I imagine that once I have delved deeper, I'll be giving this book five stars--I just struggled to follow along some of t...more

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Dec 19, 2011 Dana rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had previously read a version of The Pilgrim's Progress written for children that had revealed an unexpectedly adventurous tale that seemed no less vivid for being a fairly simplistic allegory, thinly veiled, and with such leading character names as "Faithful", "Hopeful", "Christian" and then "Mr. Talkative", "Mr. Scapegoat", and "Mr Turn-back." Upon finally reading the original, I was surprised to find that the basic plot served as a means of tying together the objects of a number of extended...more I had previously read a version of The Pilgrim's Progress written for children that had revealed an unexpectedly adventurous tale that seemed no less vivid for being a fairly simplistic allegory, thinly veiled, and with such leading character names as "Faithful", "Hopeful", "Christian" and then "Mr. Talkative", "Mr. Scapegoat", and "Mr Turn-back." Upon finally reading the original, I was surprised to find that the basic plot served as a means of tying together the objects of a number of extended conversations between the main characters, conversations that might readily be extracted independently as sermons. These conversations provide a very interesting reflection upon non-conformist Christian beliefs in the 17th century after the restoration of the crown. While the tone is certainly pious and didactic, it is made poignant through the context of its composition for the purposes of spiritual comfort while Bunyan was imprisoned with other non-conformists. The ethos embraced also seems unusually joyful and kind (dance, music, and singing are all looked upon very favorably) compared to other non-conformist traditions.

The Pilgrim's Progress is also, of course, a rich source of images and symbols commonly invoked in Western literature, of which Vanity Fair is probably the best known. One of the most surprising revelations in reading the original was the discovery of a distinct, second part that takes up the story of Christian's wife and four children and their pilgrimage. It is, unfortunately, in no way equal to the first part either in quality or in spirit. The sense of individuality and character that Bunyan was able to capture so readily in the first half seem somewhat absent from this part - whether from an inability to describe a plausible set of female characters or his (possibly) related choice to put the burden and activity of much of their journey into the hands of male guides and guardians. This is unfortunate, although no less revealing of the sentiments of the time.(less)

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Aug 09, 2011 Ryan Milbrath added it

John Bunyan, an English writer of the Protestant tradition, has long been associated with his masterpiece “A Pilgrims Progress.” Technically speaking, Bunyan was a reformed Baptist, not a Puritan; however, his work has become analogous with the movement of Puritans to the New World after suffering persecution at the hands of the Anglican Church. Bunyan enjoyed the privileges of the Puritan Commonwealth, such as free speech and worship. During this time, he had written several of his treatises on...more John Bunyan, an English writer of the Protestant tradition, has long been associated with his masterpiece “A Pilgrims Progress.” Technically speaking, Bunyan was a reformed Baptist, not a Puritan; however, his work has become analogous with the movement of Puritans to the New World after suffering persecution at the hands of the Anglican Church. Bunyan enjoyed the privileges of the Puritan Commonwealth, such as free speech and worship. During this time, he had written several of his treatises on religion. Upon the restoration of the monarchy, Bunyan, like his Puritan brethren, found themselves significantly persecuted by the powers that be. It is during his numerous stints in prison for preaching that Bunyan wrote “A Pilgrim’s Progress.”

“A Pilgrim’s Progress” is broken up into two parts. Both parts are written as allegory for a person’s journey from secular heathenism and self-destruction towards spiritual (Christian) enlightenment. The first part deals exclusively with one man’s (Christian’s) journey from the “City of Destruction” to the “Celestial City.” In short, Christian abandon’s his wife and children to encounter characters such as giants, and creatures that stand as representations of sin and obstacles meant to derail our hero. Despite these challenges, our hero arrives at his salvation through faith and faith alone. The second part of the novel follows Christian’s wife and children as they make the same pilgrimage as Christian. They encounter numerous friends and new obstacles in their journey towards the celestial city. They too, like Christian, find their salvation through faith alone.

“A Pilgrim’s Progress” stands in sharp contrast to the dry and humorless literature usually written in the protestant tradition. The challenges, humor, drama, etc are still boring or cliché by today’s standards, but for it’s time it’s probably the most exciting thing to come out of the protestant tradition. However, in my personal opinion, part two could have been cut out entirely, given that most of the challenges faced by Christian’s wife were the same as they were faced by Christian. Bunyan only seems willing to write this second part for his audience and to hammer home his message of faith based salvation. In the end it’s a plodding read for those not into 17th century puritan writing. For those who are though…it’s a treat.

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Mar 01, 2009 Jonathan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: new Christians seeking guidance and encouragement

Recommended to Jonathan by: Mom

Shelves: theology

Though this book might be more appropriately filed under “Classics”, I’m placing it on the “Theology” shelf, for reasons I will outline below. A staple of Christian literature for hundreds of years, Bunyan’s tale has been read and referenced by children and ministers alike. Grounded as it is in the theology of the Reformation (theology which, running counter to the teachings of the Church of England, landed the author in prison), the book certainly contains a wealth of solid doctrinal teaching....more Though this book might be more appropriately filed under “Classics”, I’m placing it on the “Theology” shelf, for reasons I will outline below. A staple of Christian literature for hundreds of years, Bunyan’s tale has been read and referenced by children and ministers alike. Grounded as it is in the theology of the Reformation (theology which, running counter to the teachings of the Church of England, landed the author in prison), the book certainly contains a wealth of solid doctrinal teaching. As a work of literature, however, it simply does not hold up to modern standards.

Bunyan makes no pretense about the allegorical nature of the story. The point of an allegory is to use symbolic figures to explain complex ideas; to encourage the reader to think about those ideas in a different light by way of an extended metaphor. When the allegory completely abandons the metaphor in favor of discussing the idea directly, however, the literary form breaks down. The travels of Christian, the titular pilgrim, are meant to elucidate the struggles and hardships that all Christians must deal with as we sojourn through this present wilderness. Towards the beginning, the allegory holds: God is the King and Christ is the Prince. As the book progresses, however, even this thin veil is lifted and Bunyan references biblical events, even quotes Scripture, as if his characters were living in our own world. The locations and enemies which characterize dangers in the life of a Christian (the Swamp of Despondency, the giant Despair) are so literal that the fictionalization is hardly necessary. There is not even a hint of subtly here, making the text seem simplistic, even childish, to educated readers.

There is a positive side to Bunyan’s transparency, however, and that is that it renders the theological lessons it contains very easily learned. By quoting Scripture, the ideas Bunyan is conveying are seen to be in harmony with the Word of God; the most important aspect of any purported Christian teaching. The very simplicity that makes reading the story a bit dull also means that the point will never go amiss. For this reason, I would recommend the book mainly to younger readers or new Christians who have not had the benefit of a thorough doctrinal education. In addition, it is worth the read if only because of the vast number of references by later thinkers one will inevitably encounter. As it is saturated with the timeless truth of God, its status as a classic is well deserved, and will surely continue to stand the test of time so long as any remain faithful to that original calling.(less)

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Jan 12, 2009 Brandon T. rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those interested in the evolution of religion

This is the 17th-century allegorical tale of Christian, a humble pilgrim, on his journey from the town of Destruction to the Coelestial City, where God resides. In its day, this classic sold more copies than any other book except the Bible. It was particularly popular among the settlers of the colonies in New England, who commonly referred to themselves as "pilgrims."

Bunyan's book was meant to be a defense of his religious beliefs, and was written for the most part while he was in prison for ref...more This is the 17th-century allegorical tale of Christian, a humble pilgrim, on his journey from the town of Destruction to the Coelestial City, where God resides. In its day, this classic sold more copies than any other book except the Bible. It was particularly popular among the settlers of the colonies in New England, who commonly referred to themselves as "pilgrims."

Bunyan's book was meant to be a defense of his religious beliefs, and was written for the most part while he was in prison for refusing to conform to the mandated Anglican church of the time. Many of his characters were meant to represent other sects of Christianity. He took frequent jabs at the Quakers and the Catholics. His Calvinist/Lutheran brand of religiosity assumed that a it was the privilege of an elect group to enter into God's court - a group primarily composed of the poor and oppressed. Over and over, The Pilgrim's Progress refutes the values of the elite culture of Bunyan's time, which was swiftly moving towards the naturalistic/materialist worldview that put England in position for the Industrial Revolution.

The first book, which follows Christian exclusively, was so popular that imitations and fake sequels sprang up all over. There were some criticisms, though, concerning Christian's leaving his family behind (there were many women in Bunyan's congregation), as well as the esoteric nature of some of the symbolism used. In response to all these things, Bunyan wrote a second part, wherein Christiana and Christian's four children traverse the Way. This volume is typically included along with the first book in modern printings.

The second part, which attempts to explain the meanings behind Christian's travails while demonstrating the roles that women, children and others could play in the Bunyan theology, suffers from certain faults - particularly in its allegorical style, which becomes strained and even nonsensical at times. Nevertheless, the two tracts are integral to one another. The first is captivating, and the second is necessary.(less)

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May 21, 2013 Tom Lombardo rated it 4 of 5 stars

The English clergy imprisoned Bunyan for preaching without a license in1660. You can imagine the sort of society that issues a license to preach, and the sort of fellow who would thumb his nose at the authorities and continue criticizing their beliefs no matter what threats they made.

The "authorities" in this case were the Quaker leadership, with whom Buynan had several deeply-held philosophical and theological disagreements. They arrested him, he refused to back down, and so they held him in p...more

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May 18, 2013 Scott Hubbard added it

Shelves: theology

"Put by the curtains, look within my veil, / Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail, / There, if thou seekest them, such things to find, / As will be helpful to an honest mind." So advises Bunyan in the conclusion to his allegory. After looking within the veil of these metaphors, his book has proved helpful to me in two main ways.

The first is that it has helped to awaken in my soul the grand and dramatic reality that reality is grand and dramatic. We are on a pilgrimage each of us or else we are...more "Put by the curtains, look within my veil, / Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail, / There, if thou seekest them, such things to find, / As will be helpful to an honest mind." So advises Bunyan in the conclusion to his allegory. After looking within the veil of these metaphors, his book has proved helpful to me in two main ways.

The first is that it has helped to awaken in my soul the grand and dramatic reality that reality is grand and dramatic. We are on a pilgrimage each of us or else we are at home in some city of our birth or choosing, but we none of us can escape the story of which we are a part, whether we would have it that way or not. The inward temptations and outward pressures of our life are the context in which our story progresses; they provide the dramatic turning points that decide what kind of character we will be and what sort of destination we will reach. Bunyan has dreamt a dream that speaks to our waking reality (or ought to) by revealing to us the often unseen and ignored plot that is nevertheless inescapable. This life is a wonderful adventure toward the city whose King loves to help weary travelers on the way.

The second way this book helped me is by making manifest (in much the same manner as C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters) the maneuvers of temptation and evil in the heart of man. Like Caleb or Joshua, Bunyan has scouted the land of the enemy, and though its inhabitants are enough to frighten the stoutest warriors, we know the secrets of their tactics and are reminded of the power of the King who fights for His people. Bunyan does this both by explaining what constitutes sinful thoughts, words, and actions in a man as well as what constitutes that which is upright, holy, and grace-filled. In seeking to portray pilgrims according to the manner of God's word, he has provided the reader with touchstone for the testing of his own affections and aspirations.

Modern readers may think (as, it seems, many of Bunyan's contemporaries also did) that there is too much talk here of sin, guilt, and hell for one telling the story of the Christian's victorious pilgrimage to the land of freedom and grace, but Bunyan's aim in the matter is to set aright our faulty thoughts concerning the grace of God and to magnify its glory in our hearts. He follows all biblical writers in this, who were always out to help us see the true blackness of our sin so that we might understand the true brightness of God's holiness and gospel grace. This is indeed a story of victory, but it does not tell of a victory won without a battle against real enemies whose warfare offers a real threat to the soul. The pilgrim gains his progress by fighting for it with the strength and armor God supplies.(less)

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Apr 05, 2013 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, the above book made me so curious that I did read "The Pilgrim's Progress." While it takes awhile to get into that 17th century language, the effort is worthwhile. Since I think the basic story is pretty familiar (a pilgrim, Christian, traveling life's path and encountering various obstacles before finally reaching Heaven), I'll just list some impressions.

When asked by Mr. Goodwill (one of many aptly-named folks Christian encounters on his journey) why no one joined him, he answers "becaus...more Okay, the above book made me so curious that I did read "The Pilgrim's Progress." While it takes awhile to get into that 17th century language, the effort is worthwhile. Since I think the basic story is pretty familiar (a pilgrim, Christian, traveling life's path and encountering various obstacles before finally reaching Heaven), I'll just list some impressions.

When asked by Mr. Goodwill (one of many aptly-named folks Christian encounters on his journey) why no one joined him, he answers "because none of my neighbors saw their danger as I saw mine." Do we see our danger clearly, or do our busy lives obscure it?

Although many companions join Christian for a time, ultimately he makes his journey alone. And isn't that quite true of the Christian walk? We're basically on our own, regardless of the support we may get from time to time.

When Christian travels through the valley of the shadow of death, he is frightened by the darkness, but then hears a voice and is cheered, because this reminds him that others are there as well - although unseen to him at the time - and he realizes that God is with them all.

Christian's final obstacle is crossing a river, which symbolizes death. His companion at the time, Hopeful, has a fairly easy passage, but Christian's is more difficult. However, they both reach the far shore and are greeted with cheers and trumpets. What an encouraging thought!

Pilgrim's Progress is divided into 2 books, each 150 pages. The first was by far the best in my opinion, and it tells of Christian's journey. It was written while Bunyan was imprisoned. The second half tells of the journey of Christian's wife and 4 boys, and it was written after Bunyan's imprisonment, and after he had become famous by writing part 1. It is interesting that part 2 has much less impact and urgency. Christiana (his wife) has a much easier passage, being accompanied on the entire journey by Greatheart. I'm not sure if Bunyan is trying to make things easier on her because she's a woman, or whether he's trying to show that some folks simply have an easier life, or what - but if you're going to read one part or the other, I recommend part 1.(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Smcleish rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

Originally published on my blog here in February 2004.

The recent BBC poll to find the best loved English novel, the Big Read, chose The Lord of the Rings, a winner which is almost inevitable in this kind of listing nowadays. But if the poll could have been run a hundred and fifty years ago or more, then The Pilgrim's Progress would have been the runaway winner (so long as we ignore the fact that it is not really a novel). If a family owned one book, it was the Bible; if two, the second would alm...more

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Dec 21, 2012 Victor Nyachieo added it · review of another edition

Shelves: books

The book Pilgrims progress was a very difficult book for me to read and understand. The book begins with a man who is convicted and realizes that there is more to life than the ordinary. He is told that there is a city named celestial city that will fill him spiritually. He set on a journey from the city of destruction to the celestial city. In the beginning of his journey his family tries to tell him to stay but his conviction is too strong for him to let all that was to come go to waste.
He b...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Alivia rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you are or thinking about even attempting to read the pilgrims progress, unabridged, then i must warn you this is a challenge book. the old wording is an encryption within itself. If you don't pay close attention and read through the lines you wont understand the meanings woven throughout this book at all. As for the quality of the story line, its fantastic, a bit dreary at first, but if you've already got a spiritual curiosity with a more than fiery passion, and love for a slight medieval th...more

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Oct 11, 2012 Jason rated it 5 of 5 stars

Astounding, wise book. It's simplicity is like a placid sea over a deep abyss, there is richness here to grasp again and again. I had an illustrated version I read (and loved) as a kid and was it was rewarding to find the original material so satisfying.

Let me just G.K. Chesterton on The Pilgrim's Progress:

"The Pilgrim's Progress certainly exhibits all the marks of such a revival of primitive power and mystery . . . Nowhere, perhaps except in Homer, is there such a perfect description conveyed...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Zulu rated it 2 of 5 stars

Okay, considering it was written in 1678, it's not bad. After all, there's a handful of giant slayings and battles against monsters. But all in all, this allegory is too long, too repetitive, and not nearly as clever as it thinks it is. (I can just imagine John Bunyan sharpening his quill and chuckling to himself over his own metaphors.)

The biggest problem is its complete and total lack of irony. People with good names are good; people with bad names are bad. People who are Christian and who fol...more Okay, considering it was written in 1678, it's not bad. After all, there's a handful of giant slayings and battles against monsters. But all in all, this allegory is too long, too repetitive, and not nearly as clever as it thinks it is. (I can just imagine John Bunyan sharpening his quill and chuckling to himself over his own metaphors.)

The biggest problem is its complete and total lack of irony. People with good names are good; people with bad names are bad. People who are Christian and who follow the Bible will be saved; the rest are damned to Hell.

This isn't unexpected, mind you! It's an allegory about Christianity, so of course this is how it works! But there is zero tension, no character development, the plot is not a plot but a series of events and/or conversations, and Part II of the book is a direct rehashing of everything that just happened in Part I. Even the marginalia are void of humour or wit! I mean, look at John Foxe's Actes and Monuments! It's possible to have zingers in your marginalia, but you've gotta at least go in swinging!

Characters I liked: Mercy, Christiana, Honesty, Faithful, Great-heart, Diffidence (yes, Diffidence is evil, but kind of amusingly so.) Characters I didn't like: Christian was a bit of a prig. Most of the gatekeepers who were like, "Oh, well, you didn't ask God for help just right, so your suffering's your own fault."

Mostly the lessons I learned from this book is that God's a control freak and even some completely understandable (or even logical/rational) doubts or slips are worthy of punishment. But I guess that's not out of character for a book in which Mr Self-Righteous is a hero. And I suppose in this day and age it's a bit off-putting that the ending consists of every single character individually walking into the River of Death at God's whim. After saying their prolonged goodbyes to everyone else that's left. And giving speeches as their last words. (The last twenty pages were a slog, is what I am saying here.)

I did appreciate that the prose was very readable--not always something you can count on with 17th century books!--and the message was, at least, clear. I mean, I get the point, John Bunyan! So, things I shall have to research: the context in which Bunyan was persecuted for his beliefs (I know more about the 1500s as those things go), and maybe more about his personal life. (He was quite the sinner in his youth! Why, he swore oaths and rang church-bells!) I'd be interested in whether writing this book helped him to overcome his spiritual angst.(less)

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Sep 05, 2012 Adam rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1500-s-1700-s, prose

The Pilgrim's Progress, or Christianity for Dummies by John Bunyan.

So... John Bunyan was a crazy and apparently exceedingly stupid man who wrote one of the most popular books ever in the Western literary tradition. I write of this book, obviously. The book's popularity and even its status as a Historically Important Classic is a harsh reminder of how immensely stupid and crazy humans, generally, are and always were. Because this book's status is such a harsh reminder of that fact, it's basically...more The Pilgrim's Progress, or Christianity for Dummies by John Bunyan.

So... John Bunyan was a crazy and apparently exceedingly stupid man who wrote one of the most popular books ever in the Western literary tradition. I write of this book, obviously. The book's popularity and even its status as a Historically Important Classic is a harsh reminder of how immensely stupid and crazy humans, generally, are and always were. Because this book's status is such a harsh reminder of that fact, it's basically the most depressing thing you could ever read, if you have some level of intelligence.

Of course, the book is not a novel really, but an allegory, and it does indeed have Historical Importance, if you're one of those insufferable fucks who think we should give the remotest semblance of a shit about the several hundred year old ramblings of a lunatic. It has Historical Importance because it's part of the English Puritan literature of the time and basically is relevant w/r/t that theology and its various dimensions and how this is, although literally retarded even for the time, important, maybe, to understanding the progress of the arts and what not at the time, and how this fits into the rise of culture post-Middle Ages etc.

Except, you know, allegories had existed for a long-ass time before this thing reared its ugly head, and some of them were complex and balanced and literate and so on, including those in, uh, the Bible. Plus, there was a lot of very good literature before this came out, including in the religious tradition (see Milton, see Donne, and see others), so this thing's brutal awfulness is really inexcusable as "of the time" or whatever. No, it's just bad.

I opened this review/rant by calling this Christianity for Dummies, which is basically what it is. True, its explicit Protestant theology was different and what not, and this probably mattered a long time ago. But it reads, and probably has read for a long time, as Christianity for Dummies. You see, Bunyan's allegory can't even be called thinly-veiled. It's basically one insufferable lecture/sermon. I guess on a technicality it qualifies as an allegory, but it has to be the most ham-fisted and ridiculous allegory I've encountered. Here's a list of characters, which aren't really characters as such I suppose, because basically the names cover the whole deal; unlike other allegories, where a character may represent something or quality, here the names are it, there is no actual representation: Christian, Evangelist, Help, Worldly Wiseman, Hypocrisy, Discretion, Piety, Prudence, Charity, The Interpreter, Faithful, Talkative, Mr. By-ends, Hopeful, Giant Despair, Diffidence, Temporary, Mercy, Mr. Great-heart, Old Honest, Mr. Fearing, Mr. Feeble-mind, Valiant-for-truth.

"Oh, but it's of the time, Adam. Sure compared to anything written after it that's just hilarious and sad and not even endearing and after ten pages just infuriating, but it's of the time."

Shut the fuck up, strawman. Compared to most things written before it, again, including the fucking Bible itself, which most of this is a simplified rehash of with the slight narrative frame of A Man's Journey to Salvation, it's also just totally insanely stupid and infuriating.

But besides the fact that this is just terrible when it comes to any formal criteria, it's also just impossible to read if you're a non-believer or even anything resembling a modern Christian. The intensely spelled-out lessons here are either the worst ones you could choose from the Bible, or the product, ironically, of years of stupid Catholic theologians' bullshit, or they are, more rarely, really of the time in that they're newfangled Protestant things that still lie coiled at the heart of the darkest and most unpleasant aspects of contemporary Western culture.

But even if I didn't find this whole thing morally disgusting on nearly every level, it's just horrifically bad. It's shit allegory, shit fiction, shit everything. Written in prose bad even for the time, because you know, there was other prose written at the time. Take a look at it. It's not this bad.

And get this: nobody needs to read this today. Nobody. You can just, uh, talk about it, if you need to cover it and its content for historical purposes in the study of literature. There is absolutely no reason to actually read the thing because it has absolutely zero literary quality, or relevance, or importance. Here's everything you need to know about The Pilgrim's Progress, or Christianity for Dummies: it's real stupid, anything in it that's remotely interesting is in the Bible, or in books about the Bible, or about Christianity, that are far better than this, and it's just a hideously boring thing written by a lunatic, though it's popular because some people need to read things like this to dangerously simplify and remove any quality and intelligence from old myths and allegories, and write them anew in a supremely bullshitty manner. To the extent that this is Historically Important, that importance is in knowing about it and what the deal is with it. But you shouldn't actually read it, unless you're a masochist.

And really, I'm not the kinda guy who thinks you should never read old books. I just named Milton and Donne as two examples of near-contemporaries of Bunyan who are, uh, good writers, and as such still relevant in a literary sense, and who also are relevant in a historical sense, but much more so than Bunyan. Because this book has no relevance in a study of the history of allegories, in the study of the history of the novel, or poetry, or anything other than the persistent and sad idiocy of human beings, who have taken it upon themselves to translate this thing to more than a hundred languages, and also to still talk about a completely literally retarded piece of shit like this centuries after it was written, instead of doing something real Christian like helping others, doing something real literary, like reading almost anything else, or doing something better and more important with their basic human existence, like just talking to another person, or just sitting still and doing nothing. (less)

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kaelan Or yes, if polemic 17th-century Protestant lit happens to be your thing, I completely agree with your suggestion to simply read Milton instead.

But tha...more
updated May 15, 2013 11:06pm

Adam By the way, while I can't say I went into reading this book excited, I was kinda looking forward to reading it. But I've really never read anything el...more
updated May 16, 2013 09:57am

Apr 23, 2012 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: god-botheration, novels

In the dawn of the day Reader began his quest for the Great Denoument with a glad heart, his countenance suffused by the Joy of Literature Yet Unread and unburthened by Mercantile Drear. He knew he should soon pass threw Goodreads City which was said to be very Malevolent yet still he feared not and sang out hymns and epithalamions addressed to the Archangels Proust, Joyce and Bolano which should look over him as he ventured. Eftsoons, he met with Mr Worldly Wise, who thrust at him pretty volume...more

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Apr 16, 2012 D.M. Dutcher rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, classic

Reading this is like climbing a mountain: you always know you want to do it someday, but it's a lot of work to do so. The view from the summit is worth it, however.

Okay, one book, two parts. The first is the most well known: Christian's journey from the city of Destruction to the Heavenly City, and the second less so. Christiania's journey following him, gathering lost pilgrims along the way. I can't really call it a story, because while the story is there, it's relatively basic: the meat of the...more Reading this is like climbing a mountain: you always know you want to do it someday, but it's a lot of work to do so. The view from the summit is worth it, however.

Okay, one book, two parts. The first is the most well known: Christian's journey from the city of Destruction to the Heavenly City, and the second less so. Christiania's journey following him, gathering lost pilgrims along the way. I can't really call it a story, because while the story is there, it's relatively basic: the meat of the book is in the spiritual allegories and preaching. Every single event that happens has a second meaning in terms of the Christian life, and if you miss a point, he will recap it for you.

Even for someone who appreciates the language of the King James Version of the Bible, it's going to get old. Not so much the language itself, which is beautiful in that specifically austere Protestant way, but the long didactic dialogues and retellings of what the main characters did on their journey to new people they meet. When he shows things, like in the house of the Interpreter, or when he is involved in battles, it works well. But it's going to be a hard, alien read to most modern readers, especially if they don't have a good memory of the Bible and a decent understanding of the Christian faith to begin with.

And by Christian I mean Protestant. Catholics wont really appreciate the shot at the Pope in it, and its theology is definitely Protestant in tone, soaked in the Bible. He footnotes and explains a lot, but the amount of Biblical quotation and allusion is staggering.

Despite this though there's a sort of mythic beauty that shines through. A rightness. It catches something deep about what the walk of faith is really about. I'm not sure I can explain it entirely. But the allegory fits. Maybe it's the combination of Puritan faith and a novelist's eye. But for me, especially the ending of the second part struck me. It's not much of a spoiler, but Christiana finally is within reach of the Heavenly City, in the land of Beulah:

After this, I beheld until they were come into the land of Beulah, where the sun shineth night and day. Here, because they were weary, they betook themselves a while to rest. And because this country was common for pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards that were here belonged to the King of the Celestial country, therefore they were licensed to make bold with any of his things. But a little while soon refreshed them here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpets continually sound so melodiously, that they could not sleep, and yet they received as much refreshing as if they had slept their sleep ever so soundly. Here also all the noise of them that walked the streets was, More pilgrims are come to town! And another would answer, saying, And so many went over the water, and were let in at the golden gates to-day! They would cry again, There is now a legion of shining ones just come to town, by which we know that there are more pilgrims upon the road; for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort them after all their sorrow. Then the pilgrims got up, and walked to and fro. But how were their ears now filled with heavenly noises, and their eyes delighted with celestial visions! In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt nothing, tasted nothing that was offensive to their stomach or mind; only when they tasted of the water of the river over which they were to go, they thought that it tasted a little bitterish to the palate; but it proved sweeter when it was down.

In context, this becomes sublime. Or a simple passage like this:

The last words of Mr. Despondency were, Farewell, night; welcome, day! His daughter went through the river singing, but none could understand what she said.

Definitley a deep book, not for everyone though.(less)

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Mar 08, 2012 Saraelizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Pilgrims Progress is an allegory. It's divided into two parts; the first is about a man named Christian, the second about his wife and children and their pilgrimage.
I would say that, in a nut shell, the first part is about conversion-what it is and what it entails. The second part is more a discourse of different types of "pilgrims" and how they fare on the path to conversion.
I really liked this book. I thought the analogies were poignant and intriguing. My version (Barnes and Noble classics)...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Poiema rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: classics

I heard this book being read aloud in installments via a local radio station, and I was surprised at how fresh and "alive" it was in spite of its antiquated language. Written as an allegory, you will recognize many of the characters --Pliable, Worldly Wise Man, Legality, Evangelist, etc.--as people you've met on your own life journey. The main character, Christian, departs from his native City of Destruction and journeys on toward the light of the Celestial City. He begins his journey carrying a...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Rohan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After half dozen attempts I have finally been able to read and complete this classic that is so loved by so many people thanks to some wisdom received about choosing an edition in modern english rather than a reprint in the language that it was originally written.

Like many reviews here I found the poetic allegories easy to understand but frustratingly difficult and off putting to read. I would call it a test for the reader for the journey especially at the beginning. That said once I got going w...more

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Nov 06, 2011 NebraskaIcebergs rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan was once the most widely read and translated book in the English language apart from the Bible. Protestant missionaries translated it first thing after the Bible. In the days of westward expansion in the United States, early settlers often owned only two books: the Bible and The Pilgrim’s Progress. While these days it mostly appears only on lists of top Christian books to read, I grew up with a copy in my Children’s Illustrated Classic series. Moreover, whil...more The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan was once the most widely read and translated book in the English language apart from the Bible. Protestant missionaries translated it first thing after the Bible. In the days of westward expansion in the United States, early settlers often owned only two books: the Bible and The Pilgrim’s Progress. While these days it mostly appears only on lists of top Christian books to read, I grew up with a copy in my Children’s Illustrated Classic series. Moreover, while many of my childhood favorites are no longer available, today I can still easily buy or borrow a copy of The Pilgrim’s Progress. If you are not already familiar with The Pilgrim’s Progress, that I keep mentioning it along with the Bible tells you it is Christian in nature. It is an allegory about the Christian journey. Given that, what explains the endurance of The Pilgrim’s Progress?

At its core is a thrilling story. The first part of The Pilgrim’s Progress is about Christian, who undertakes a dangerous journey. Carrying a burden of sin, Christian leaves behind his family and friends to seek deliverance from an impending judgment on his city. Christian meets Evangelist (characters are helpfully named after their traits) who advises Christian to follow the yonder light until he comes to the wicket gate. There, Christian will receive further instructions. While the beacon of a lighthouse might guide a ship through a storm and into the harbor, this doesn’t mean the journey is without strife. The same holds true for Christian. Despite a light to guide his way to the wicket gate, he faces interference from neighbors, a miry slough, and a hill so high that it seems insurmountable. Our hero eventually does reach the wicket gate, but it is like the first leg in a race. Christian must overcome many more dangers if he is to reach his final destination. Some seem simple enough, such as rainstorms. Others are more life-threatening such as the battle in the Valley of Humiliation with the dragon Apollyon, imprisonment by the Giant Despair in the Doubting Castle, a trek though the Enchanted Ground where Christian faces the temptation of eternal sleep, and the River of Death where Christian flounders in the water.

This first part of The Pilgrim’s Progress was written in 1678. The second part appeared in 1684 and is about Christian’s wife and sons. They undertake a similar journey to Christian after a visitor delivers a note from the Lord, written in letters of gold, inviting Christina to come to the Celestial City. Regretting that she hadn’t accompanied her husband, Christina sets off with her sons and a neighbor named Mercy. With this second part, John Bunyan doesn’t simply recreate his original tale, but imagines new adventures that might happen to other pilgrims. For example, after the women gain entrance at the wicket gate, they are accosted by two villains who attempt to rape them. At a later time, Christina’s sons (who are mentioned so infrequently that sometimes I forget about them) eat fruit from Beelzebub’s garden and one gets deathly sick. The two women also receive help on their journey from Great-Heart, who fights off and even kills giants and monsters for them. Okay, this part sounds similar to our aforementioned hero’s journey. By now, you might also be thinking that both parts are simply one danger after another, when that is simply not true. Christina’s sons and Mercy find marriage. We also meet some new types of pilgrims, with whom many of us probably readily identify, such as Mr. Fearing who is weak in faith. There is also Mr. Feeble Mind and Mr. Right Halt, who represent the weak in mind and weak in body.

Besides being a thrilling tale, The Pilgrim’s Progress is also an allegory about the Christian journey. Christian and his family live in the City of Destruction, a place which symbolizes our sinful world that has no hope of salvation. To be relieved of his burden of sin and woe, Christian seeks out the wicket gate and knocks on it. Christian is sent on a journey, throughout which he must stay on the straight and narrow path, towards the Celestial City. If Christian reaches it, he will enjoy eternal life with God and heavenly beings. Yet along the way there are many temptations even from seemingly-innocent people. For example there are those who live by the Ten Commandments but unfortunately encourage Christian to settle in their Town of Morality. Individuals like Evangelist, who talks like a spiritual tract, come to his rescue and keep Christian on the straight and narrow. Not everything on a pilgrim’s journey is dark. Just outside the Interpreter’s House is the Cross. Here, Christian’s burden of sin and woe is removed from him. He receives instead new raiment and a parchment roll which will serve kind of as a passport into heaven when he reaches the pearly gates. There are also places of excellent sights and rest such as Palace Beautiful, the Delectable Mountains, and Country of Beulah. Too often for my taste, there are the moral passages. For example, when Christina and her sons meet Prudence, she catechizes them for four pages. Sometimes this Christian classic felt like being in at everlasting church service, which is the main fault I find in this otherwise epic tale.

As such, I wrestled with what recommendation to give. John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress for Christians. While other religious allegories such as The Chronicles of Narnia appeal to general audiences too, I am not sure that The Pilgrim’s Progress would appeal to anyone but Christians. In reading about his life story to prepare my daily teasers, it also seems as if The Pilgrim’s Progress is a reflection of Bunyan’s own realization that the Christian life is a journey that can be fraught with strife while also having moments of joy. For this reason, despite the old English, I think that it is an important and encouraging book for Christians to read.

(less)

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Oct 17, 2011 Shanna Gonzalez added it · review of another edition

Gary Schmidt brings us an accessible modern paraphrase of John Bunyan’s classic in Pilgrim’s Progress: A Retelling. This version includes more plot and character detail than Dangerous Journey, and the modern text is good in its own right, especially if you plan to move on later to the original novel. (Bunyan’s original language is rather difficult to read, and knowing the plot ahead of time can defuse the intimidation of unfamiliar words.)

Schmidt’s storytelling is augmented by Moser’s vibrant pa...more Gary Schmidt brings us an accessible modern paraphrase of John Bunyan’s classic in Pilgrim’s Progress: A Retelling. This version includes more plot and character detail than Dangerous Journey, and the modern text is good in its own right, especially if you plan to move on later to the original novel. (Bunyan’s original language is rather difficult to read, and knowing the plot ahead of time can defuse the intimidation of unfamiliar words.)

Schmidt’s storytelling is augmented by Moser’s vibrant paintings, which are often reminiscent of Norman Rockwell‘s style. He uses subjects from across several centuries and walks of life, and this gives a stimulating breadth to the story. Christian, an Everyman in a baseball cap and blue jeans, greets the distinguished African-American Evangelist with the same equanimity as the Medieval gatekeeper Goodwill. (It is all a dream, after all, so why shouldn’t the characters appear in unpredictable ways?). The monsters and perils Christian meets along the way are grimly terrible, quite in line with Bunyan’s classic, but sensitive children may be troubled by images of the creeping company of demons, the brooding Pagan, and especially the dragon Apollyon, who is rendered so vividly that he seems to belong in a graphic horror novel rather than in a Christian children’s book. Just as in all the good stories, however, evil is soundly defeated, and Death itself is shown to have lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:53-55).

This book may be best suited to an elementary audience for read-aloud, and upper-elementary and middle school for reading alone. It fills in some plot gaps that Dangerous Journey leaves out, and bridges a language gap for those who may have trouble with Hunkin’s version. If I had to choose between the two it would be a difficult choice, but I would recommend that Dangerous Journey be introduced first, since it’s a bit closer to the mood of the original author. Also, Schmidt leaves out Part Two, Christiana’s Journey, which is included in Dangerous Journey, so let your read-aloud audience know they shouldn’t expect it.(less)

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