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The Pilgrim's Progress In Modern English
Carefully revised in modern English, this modern classic includes Bunyan's original Scripture references plus hundreds of additional references, chapter end-notes to help clarify scriptural and historical references, and an index of words, meanings, titles, characters, and places. 50+ illustrations. Website address and instructions for free audio excerpts download are located on page IV.
141 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1989
11 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Jean Watson
19 books1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Jean Watson, having been a teacher, has gone on to have a career in writing involving writing lesson material for children geared for religious lessons and Sunday School. Jean’s stories have been broadcast on TV and radio.
Jean Watson, having been a teacher, has gone on to have a career in writing involving writing lesson material for children geared for religious lessons and Sunday School. Jean’s stories have been broadcast on TV and radio.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 26, 2018
An inspiring and truthful allegorical tale of the journey of a Christian.
February 23, 2016
John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress‘ was a must read for me having lived in Bedfordshire for most of my adult life. Bunyan haunts the area. There’s The Bunyan Centre, The Bunyan Meeting House, (which houses a wonderful museum reflecting his life and beliefs) Bunyan Road, The Statue of Bunyan, The Bunyan Tree and The Bunyan Trail.
I started reading the original version but, since I read for pleasure before bedtime I found myself nodding off and not really appreciating either the beauty or the meaning of the text. Next I cheated and downloaded a translated to modern English version.
I found Christian’s journey inspiring, as I expected I might. His encounters of evil and good along his pilgrimage to guide or distract him from his path, or even to harm him, were plausible and the meaning of the allegory clear. The path to tread is an extremely narrow one and he meets all sorts of characters with human failings along the way; some of whom bear a reflection of yourself which is meant as a warning, I feel.
Strangely, it was not fighting with Appolyon or even Vanity Fair which made me most fearful as I journeyed with Christian towards the Celestial City, it was the King’s Arbour; a place for pilgrim’s to rest. The danger lurking here is that if you fall asleep in your exhaustion and pleasure to relax, you are filled with forgetfulness. It made me think of one of the greatest foes of ageing and the least understood – Dementia. I’m not sure if this passed through Bunyan’s mind at all, but that is the joy of an allegory ~ the emotions and senses are stirred by the experiences which are most pertinent to the reader’s own life, although each is also made aware of the failings and successes of others as paths are crossed.
I must admit that I found the second half of the book harder to concentrate on, since it appeared to be quite repetitive, as Christiana and her sons are inspired to follow in the footsteps of Christian. In a sense I understand that we do need to revisit truths to learn by them and maybe that was Bunyan’s intention. For me, maybe I need to read this second half again at a later date to fully appreciate it.
I started reading the original version but, since I read for pleasure before bedtime I found myself nodding off and not really appreciating either the beauty or the meaning of the text. Next I cheated and downloaded a translated to modern English version.
I found Christian’s journey inspiring, as I expected I might. His encounters of evil and good along his pilgrimage to guide or distract him from his path, or even to harm him, were plausible and the meaning of the allegory clear. The path to tread is an extremely narrow one and he meets all sorts of characters with human failings along the way; some of whom bear a reflection of yourself which is meant as a warning, I feel.
Strangely, it was not fighting with Appolyon or even Vanity Fair which made me most fearful as I journeyed with Christian towards the Celestial City, it was the King’s Arbour; a place for pilgrim’s to rest. The danger lurking here is that if you fall asleep in your exhaustion and pleasure to relax, you are filled with forgetfulness. It made me think of one of the greatest foes of ageing and the least understood – Dementia. I’m not sure if this passed through Bunyan’s mind at all, but that is the joy of an allegory ~ the emotions and senses are stirred by the experiences which are most pertinent to the reader’s own life, although each is also made aware of the failings and successes of others as paths are crossed.
I must admit that I found the second half of the book harder to concentrate on, since it appeared to be quite repetitive, as Christiana and her sons are inspired to follow in the footsteps of Christian. In a sense I understand that we do need to revisit truths to learn by them and maybe that was Bunyan’s intention. For me, maybe I need to read this second half again at a later date to fully appreciate it.
October 25, 2019
I can understand why this is a classic as it really spells out the christian faith. However I found it long-winded and archaic in language. In addition I found the allegory taken too far.
November 22, 2025
This book was phenomenal. I love that this has been updated into a more modern English. When you are reading Pilgrim’s Progress, you can identify many, many biblical themes. And even see what verses inspired certain sections of the book.
But you don’t have to know the Bible to get the point of the story.
Each character we meet along the way is memorable and absolutely relatable. Their names obvious to what that character represents.
So many touching moments throughout the story. You just have to read Pilgrim’s Progress to truly appreciate what the author is conveying in each chapter.
I was reading it to participate in a book reading club. I thought that maybe the story would feel dated, out of touch, having been written in the 1600s while the author was in jail. But each part of the story grabbed you, made you want to be with the main character on his journey the peril and danger and even lessons were perfectly crafted to bring you into the story and to relate to each character.
Highly, highly recommend Pilgrim’s Progress.
But you don’t have to know the Bible to get the point of the story.
Each character we meet along the way is memorable and absolutely relatable. Their names obvious to what that character represents.
So many touching moments throughout the story. You just have to read Pilgrim’s Progress to truly appreciate what the author is conveying in each chapter.
I was reading it to participate in a book reading club. I thought that maybe the story would feel dated, out of touch, having been written in the 1600s while the author was in jail. But each part of the story grabbed you, made you want to be with the main character on his journey the peril and danger and even lessons were perfectly crafted to bring you into the story and to relate to each character.
Highly, highly recommend Pilgrim’s Progress.
April 12, 2024
Great encouragement and warning at the same time. I’m very thankful I read this.
March 4, 2025
A classic work that everyone should read! I’m reading it again this year with my teens as we study 17th century world history.
June 2, 2015
Over the top allegory, but I understand why it is a classic.
August 19, 2015
Very helpful and resourceful.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews