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The Pilgrim's Progress (Penguin Classics) by John Bunyan (30-Oct-2008) Paperback
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About the author
John Bunyan
1,643 books1,425 followersJohn Bunyan, a Christian writer and preacher, was born at Harrowden (one mile south-east of Bedford), in the Parish of Elstow, England. He wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, arguably the most famous published Christian allegory. In the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 23, 2025
Fairly one dimensional- but discusses basic schools of thought that are definitely productive to those that would consider themselves a Christian. I take no issue with that at all, but at times it feels a little too on the nose. Or if I could borrow from Peter Griffin, “it insists upon itself.”
February 4, 2025
Okay. I don't feel like I can review this book because I'm clearly not the target audience. It's an allegory written for Christians. I can see how Christians would get something out of it, but since I'm not one of them, it didn't do anything for me.
The allegory opens with a man reading a book and having a complete mental breakdown—which is relatable, to be honest. The man's name is Christian, and he feels guilty about his sinful life. He decides to abandon his wife and children and journey to the Celestial City. Along the way, he meets friends (?) and terrors. Mostly terrors.
I don't think this book is the best advertisement for religion. Christian is an anxious disaster. He can't trust anybody. He's a dick to pretty much everyone he meets. He beats himself up for every tiny mistake. I understand why he's anxious. The "evil" characters tend to fall into pits and die. I'd be anxious too, but the dude is completely miserable! He can't find joy in anything. I think that's the point of the story. The destination is worth the struggle. I wanted Christian to take a few deep breaths. His perfectionism is crippling him and making the journey harder than it needs to be. The man needs therapy.
The second half of the book is about Christian's wife, Christiana. (The author is really dedicated to the theme.) She decides that she and her four children will follow her husband to the Celestial City. I like her part slightly better than Christian's. She finds joy in her journey, but she also just follows men around, so . . . that's disappointing. She doesn't have much agency. She does whatever men tell her to do.
This book isn't for me, but that's okay because it wasn't written for me.
The allegory opens with a man reading a book and having a complete mental breakdown—which is relatable, to be honest. The man's name is Christian, and he feels guilty about his sinful life. He decides to abandon his wife and children and journey to the Celestial City. Along the way, he meets friends (?) and terrors. Mostly terrors.
I don't think this book is the best advertisement for religion. Christian is an anxious disaster. He can't trust anybody. He's a dick to pretty much everyone he meets. He beats himself up for every tiny mistake. I understand why he's anxious. The "evil" characters tend to fall into pits and die. I'd be anxious too, but the dude is completely miserable! He can't find joy in anything. I think that's the point of the story. The destination is worth the struggle. I wanted Christian to take a few deep breaths. His perfectionism is crippling him and making the journey harder than it needs to be. The man needs therapy.
The second half of the book is about Christian's wife, Christiana. (The author is really dedicated to the theme.) She decides that she and her four children will follow her husband to the Celestial City. I like her part slightly better than Christian's. She finds joy in her journey, but she also just follows men around, so . . . that's disappointing. She doesn't have much agency. She does whatever men tell her to do.
This book isn't for me, but that's okay because it wasn't written for me.
August 22, 2024
The Pilgrim’s Progress is a classic that mirrors the life and struggles of the Christian faith. I’ve read the book, but this was my first experience with an audiobook, Pilgrims Progress: Updated, Modern English, narrated by Mark Christensen. What fun! I laughed and journeyed with the voices of Pliable, Obstinate, Mr. Feeble-mind, Piety, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Evangelist, Despondency, Mr. Honest, and Giant Despair! Several of the voices reminded me of people I’ve met during my travels, and it was comical how their faces appeared in my imagination and made the classic tale more relevant.
This powerful and allegorical novel has become more meaningful with each reading and listening experience. Like an onion, the more exposure and study time I spent with the text, the more I uncover, the more profound meaning or underlying doctrinal beliefs spur my thinking in various directions, depths, and possibilities.
I appreciated the main character, Christian, who carried his burden for most of his life. He left family, friends, and comfort to follow Evangelist and God’s leading toward Heaven. He held his burdens longer than others who grew up in the Christian faith. Still, Christian’s faith and determination carried him onward throughout the narrative and journey of The Pilgrim’s Progress. God’s redemption and love brought His follower to the end—The Celestial City—because Christian followed God and stayed on His path. What a glorious day!
This powerful and allegorical novel has become more meaningful with each reading and listening experience. Like an onion, the more exposure and study time I spent with the text, the more I uncover, the more profound meaning or underlying doctrinal beliefs spur my thinking in various directions, depths, and possibilities.
I appreciated the main character, Christian, who carried his burden for most of his life. He left family, friends, and comfort to follow Evangelist and God’s leading toward Heaven. He held his burdens longer than others who grew up in the Christian faith. Still, Christian’s faith and determination carried him onward throughout the narrative and journey of The Pilgrim’s Progress. God’s redemption and love brought His follower to the end—The Celestial City—because Christian followed God and stayed on His path. What a glorious day!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews