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Apr 01, 2011

K.D. rated it:

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...

9 comments like (14 people liked it)

Mar 17, 2008

Ryan rated it:

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 More...

0 comments like (10 people liked it)

Jan 25, 2011

Jessica added it

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...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 19, 2009

Tara rated it:

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...

4 comments like (5 people liked it)

Sep 01, 2007

Paul rated it:

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 al More...

0 comments like (12 people liked it)

Dec 17, 2009

Stephen rated it:

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.

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Sep 02, 2010

Emily rated it:

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, th More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 19, 2011

Dana rated it:

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 More...

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Aug 09, 2011

Ryan 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 More...

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Mar 01, 2009

Jonathan rated it:

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...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 12, 2009

Brandon T. rated it:

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 More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 02, 2012

Rohan rated it:

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 More...

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Nov 06, 2011

NebraskaIcebergs rated it:

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...

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Oct 17, 2011

Shanna added it

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 Mose More...

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Aug 06, 2011

Sara rated it:

A Christian allegory for man's journey to heaven, The Pilgrim's Progress follows Christian on his journey from the City of Destruction to Mount Zion and the Celestial City. Along the way he encounters many who will mislead him or do him harm as well as many terrors, such as the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He also meets friends along the way, chief of whom are Faithful and Hopeful.

Though I do not share the religious beliefs of the author, this was an interesting tale. Much More...

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May 29, 2011

Vasha7 added it

On the one hand, I find this book pretty tedious; Bunyan works according to the dictum (originally addressed to speechwriters, I think) "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em, tell 'em, tell 'em what you told 'em" and he's not at all subtle about it. And I really can't find the characters or their dilemmas involving, nor wish them on their way to such a boring salvation as a city made all of gold and precious stones. However, reading this reminds me just how much the Non-Conformist (usua More...

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Feb 26, 2011

Eric rated it:

This allegorical story from 1845 gives insight into what a good Christian life was thought to be during that period. It contains a lot of wisdom to think on, as well as some parts which we would deem as ignorance today. It is possible to look back and see that the central themes of Christianity have not changed over the past 160 years, but the way they are put into practice have come a long way.

For one, Bunyan's view of Christianity is that of the rugged individualist. Salvation is sol More...

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Aug 16, 2010

Heidi rated it:

Secondary to only the Bible, this is the book that I've read (and love) the most! My mother read it to me when I was a child, I read it to my children, my children have the video set and a game based on the book. I believe Bunyan was an inspired writer. Although the story can be enjoyed by anyone (once you either acclimate to the old English style or buy a children's version), I personally think that the reader needs to have a strong grasp on the Bible to fully appreciate it. Many time More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 03, 2010

Rowland rated it:

Bunyan published Part II of The Pilgrim’s Progress in 1684. In the six years between Parts I and II, his confidence as a writer grew visibly. The Pilgrim’s Progress is so fresh and original partly because Bunyan knew no great fiction writers to copy. Early editions of his work were often on cheap and coarse paper, bought mainly by the poor. Bunyan thus had a hand in educating the class from which he himself came. Though Bunyan published nine books, including his spiritual autobiography Grace Abo More...

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Mar 15, 2010

Mark rated it:

CHRISTIAN : There are good thoughts of divers kinds ; some respecting ourselves, some respecting God, some respecting Christ, and some respecting other things.

IGNORANCE : What be good thoughts respecting ourselves ?

CHRISTIAN : Such as agree with the Word of God.

IGNORANCE : When do our thoughts agree with the Word of God ?

CHRISTIAN : When we pass the same judgement on ourselves which the Word passes. To explain myself : the Word of God saith of pe More...

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May 20, 2009

Travis rated it:

I picked this up as part of my on-going quest to read any book featuring a member of Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Interesting book, while I can appreciate it's place in literary history, as a novel it's pretty rough going as it's basically a 300 page long religious allegory.
I could live with that if it was at least entertaining.
In the beginning \, it's done entirely as a quest, with all the various aspects of christianity being portrayed as people, places etc, More...

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Dec 30, 2011

Ericy rated it:

This book is about a pilgrim, Christian, who finds a "good book" (Bible) and discovers his sin, which results in a heavy burden. A man named Evangelist comes to him and shows him the way to a "wicket-gate". As he continues his journey he is side-tracked with word that he could get rid of his burden faster. Evangelist helps him back after he realizes his mistake. When he arrives at the gate he is let in and directed to another path which he follows. He then meets the Interpret More...

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Jan 01, 2010

Mandy rated it:

As someone who, at least during this part of my life, is simply "spiritual" at best, I knew from the beginning that this wouldn't be my kind of book. I tried reading it anyway since it is such a famous piece of literature, but my feelings about it are what I expected they would be.

An allegory for Christianity, it reminded me of everything I didn't like about church growing up: mainly, the self-righteousness of the faith, and the promise of hell for those who are non-believe More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 25, 2009

Nicholas added it

http://nhw.livejournal.com/201820.html[return][return]Huckleberry Finn says of this book that "The statements was interesting, but tough", which I think is fair. Several things struck me - the unattractiveness of the main character, Christian, who wilfully abandons his family, and having lost his first travelling companion Faithful by gruesome means then becomes a know-all to his new friend Hopeful; the fact that the metaphors and allegory are about as subtle as a brick (actually, a br More...

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Feb 21, 2008

Debbie rated it:

The novel follows Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. His journey, as well as the characters he meets along the way (Faithful, Piety, Sloth, Hopeful, etc.) is an allegory for the moral struggle of each person in the world.

My grandmother bought me a children's version of this book when I was 8 years old and I absolutely loved it. It was one of my favorite childhood books and it inspired a lifelong love of the fantasy genre. I love a good quest!

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 17, 2011

Christopher rated it:

This is my second time reading this book and my view of this book has changed slightly. The first time I read it, I preferred the first part of this book to the second part. Now, years later, I prefer the second part over the first. Either way you look at it, this is a classic work; the poor man's "Paradise Lost." The allegory, in its best moments, is pure genius and the names of all the characters are truly inspired. For the modern Christian over 400 years later, this is still a good More...

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Jul 28, 2011

Zack added it

At one point in time, this book was the most widely reproduced book in English-speaking homes, second only to the Bible. After reading it, now I understand why. Bunyan deftly examines the complexities of the Christian faith and translates them into an allegorical, easy to understand story. I had the privelege of not only reading this book, but also got to write a mid-term paper on it for my history of world religions class. God is good! Bunyan utilizes characters and places in a way that is unus More...

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Jun 01, 2010

Matthias rated it:

This book was an explicit allegory (all is explained) about the Christian's journey through life and into Heaven. It is a dream in which a pilgrim named “Christian” (and later his noncombatant wife “Christiana”) become saved and discuss various religious topics along the way. I was a little let down by it, maybe because I've read so many folktales I have certain expectations for fantasy writing. The language isn't bad – it's not too dated. Yet I was ready to be done with it half way through, More...

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Jan 18, 2011

Ian rated it:

What a rich, wonderfully imaginative piece of writing. The pace of this 17th century book is, if you can believe it, absolutely frenetic. It's a good thing too, because it's a continuous narrative with no chapters (and it's 300 pages long.) I was afraid that reading it would be difficult, but it wasn't. In fact, at times, I found myself bounding through it far more quickly than some of the modern pulp fiction that I consume.

Anyway, the thing that I found most striking about the book, a More...

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Jun 18, 2011

Megsprincess87 rated it:

This book was not something that I thought I could really connect with. However, I am not walking away having read this book in just two days, saying WOW!!! The content was something that really gave me something to think about, and chew on for a while. The imagery was just as powerful. The narrator, starts off introducing this story as a dream. Christian, the main character, sets off on a journey because he was urged to the leave the city of destruction by a guy named evangelist. He tries to g More...

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