Often disguised as something that would help him, evil accompanies Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. As you walk with him, you'll begin to identify today's many religious pitfalls. These are presented by men such as Pliable, who turns back at the Slough of Despond; and Ignorance, who believes he's a true follower of Christ when he's really only trusting in himself. Each character represented in this allegory is intentionally and profoundly accurate in its depiction of what we see all around us, and unfortunately, what we too often see in ourselves. But while Christian is injured and nearly killed, he eventually prevails to the end. So can you. The best part of this book is the Bible verses added to the text. The original Pilgrim's Progress listed the Bible verse references, but the verses themselves are so impactful when tied to the scenes in this allegory, that they are now included within the text of this book. The text is tweaked just enough to make it readable today, for the young and the old. Youngsters in particular will be drawn to the original illustrations included in this wonderful classic.
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"A literary and allegorical masterpiece that has been rightfully cherished for many generations and will hopefully continue to be. As a piece of classic literature the English prose and style that Bunyan writes with are elegant and beautiful and appropriately compared with his contemporaries of the time such as Milton. As an evangelical allegory and tool for the teaching of Protestant Puritan reformed theology this book is remarkable. Bunyan cites scripture frequently and often as he is retelling his dream throughout the work and ultimately that is the genius behind this work, the story is engaging and entertaining yet the biblical truths and lessons that Bunyan teaches can be traced back to scripture time and time again which is his mission, goal and calling. Heed my warning this is not by any means of the imagination an easy read; it will take concentration, patience, determination, spurring at times and faith in order to continue on in this work. I would say it is very much not unlike following "the way, the truth and the life" John 14:6."
— Chase (5 out of 5 stars)
" Very easy read. Also quick. Amazing how well it still remains true today as it did when he wrote it in the late 1800s! "
— Chrissy, 2/20/2014" I'm with Bradford: boring, dry, poorly drawn and strictly allegorical characters. Blegh. "
— Brittany, 2/14/2014" I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It was a thought provoking analogy of our journey in this life: making good decisions, avoiding temptations, obtaining Christian-like qualities, and striving for salvation. It was definitely a slow read, but this helped me internalize the story and compare it to where I am on my own personal life journey. "
— Jeni, 2/11/2014" I have read a few books that referenced or alluded to 'The Pilgrim's Progress', and so decided to read it myself. It provided some valuable insight into those texts and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. "
— Jennifer, 2/8/2014" At last I have read it! Bunyan wrote this allegory of a Christian life in in 1678 so it has taken me a little time. At a time when religion is being cast aside like a disposable surplice, Bunyan's persecution because of his preaching is a remarkable event. The context of the story is a dream that Bunyan has about the pilgrimage of Christian who left his wife and children to find the Celestial City and of the various misfortunes and people he met on the way. Bunyan makes it easy for us by naming his chracters after their personalities, Hopeful and faithful for example. In part two his wife follows him with their children, her journey is a little less harrowing. The margins notes refer both to the writing and the relevant biblical texts. The illustrations are the originals from the first edition. It should be read both for the historical context, and its importance in the corpus of English literature. You should not limit yourself by just singing, "To be a pilgrim...." "
— Stan, 2/3/2014" Great book, I really enjoyed it. "
— Daniel, 2/3/2014" The most horrid piece of literature I have ever read, Pilgrim's Progress is a meandering tale that serves no observable purpose other than an empty and freshman exercise in allegory. Even the morals to be gleaned from this book are questionable with a not-so-subtle flavor of misogyny on the side. "
— Lamarr, 1/27/2014" While it took me awhile to get through it. But it is full of scripture and great story we can all relate to in our spiritual journey. "
— Jim, 1/20/2014" I liked that he didn't give up no matter what. He believed what he was doing was right and didn't stop. "
— T, 1/10/2014" I didn't finish this one and probably never will. "
— Maryannure, 12/13/2013" Excellent book. I admired his ability to portray the temptations a Christian faces in life. The poems were good in there content and substance in the book. I highly recommend reading this book if you are Christian - much life can be gleaned from this book. "
— Bradley, 12/13/2013" John Bunyan's greatest and one of the greatest of his day and time. "
— Kathryn, 12/11/2013" Read as part of my University Course. Not bad, but I found the allegory unstable and altogether too obvious for my liking. It's very hard to actually read it. "
— Benjamin, 12/1/2013" i have a really old edition "
— Jamie, 11/20/2013" Straightforward Christian (Protestant) allegory. It's well-written, although contrary to Catholic teachings to which I adhere. "
— Anna, 10/25/2013" What a long strange trip its been. "
— Jack, 9/8/2013" A very interesting book for a classic. This book is about Christian's pilgrimage to heaven. I had never really read a classic from this far back and I found it interesting to see a story with so much biblical reference. "
— Shelley, 8/4/2013" Definitely one of the greatest books ever written. Though not inspired, God's hand was clearly upon John Bunyan in writing it. I need to reread it. Haven't read it since before I was a teenager. "
— Seth, 11/2/2012" My parents have a simplified children's version I read when I was young, and I'm glad I did or I might not have powered through the language in this. Still great. Definitely a classic. "
— Sarah, 9/20/2012" 0 stars, i read the first 50 pages and realized that this is a terrible terrible book "
— Cory, 9/18/2012" We are all on the same type of journey. "
— Samm, 4/12/2012" It's easy to get bogged down between the allegory form and the ancient English, but once you get past that, the story is incredible. A must read for every Christian as it clearly illustrates the Christian's life (or, the pilgrim's progress:). "
— Anne, 3/30/2012" I remember really liking this as a child; probably my first brush with allegory and (heavy-handed) symbolism. I'm less easily impressed now. But this book is important. "
— Kathy, 8/2/2011" I read this to my kids years ago but it bored us all and we never finished it. "
— Rhonda, 5/16/2011" Straightforward Christian (Protestant) allegory. It's well-written, although contrary to Catholic teachings to which I adhere. "
— Anna, 5/15/2011" If I were a character in this book, what would MY name be? <br/> <br/> "
— Rae, 5/12/2011" I read an abridged version and that was even too much for me....read it in my high school freshman Bible class and we dissected this book for a year. Needless to say, it was not my favorite class. "
— Carisa, 4/28/2011" Read it when i was a kid. Torture. "
— Sid, 4/22/2011" Amazing book. I have the Signet Classics edition - pocket size, which I like. Just finished with my British Lit. class for the first time. Also read Winter, 2008. "
— Josh, 4/19/2011" Boy, normally I'm all over the classics. But this one just didn't do much for me. Some books are a metaphor on top of a story. This one was just the metaphor. "
— Sean, 4/13/2011" It was often laborious -- lots of symbolism "
— Linda, 4/5/2011" Love this book. Such illustrations and names to personify Christian characters. I reread this frequently. "
— Jeanne, 3/29/2011" A must-read! Have read this many times. "
— Jeanne, 3/21/2011" One of my very favorite books. I discovered it when I was about 13 and reading Little Women. (I later played Jo in a high school production). I immediately went to our old creaky library and checked it out. I liked it so well that I gave a book report on it and made a map of Christian's journey. "
— Linda, 3/16/2011" I have started this many times since starting and not finishing it in the sixties. Thanks to Kindle - I finally completed it. I don't know why but it seemed much more doable in Kindle. I really think the type face may have had much to do with success.<br/>I'll never have to read it again. whew. "
— Bcoghill, 3/10/2011" Surprisingly one of the best devotional literature pieces ever. "
— Eli, 3/5/2011John Bunyan (1628–1688) started out as an itinerant worker and a soldier. When he began to have religious experiences, he joined a Christian fellowship and soon began preaching. His discussions with the followers of George Fox inspired his first book, Some Gospel Truths Opened, published in 1656. In 1660, he was arrested while preaching. During twelve years of imprisonment in the county jail, he wrote several works, including Profitable Meditations, Praying in the Spirit, The Holy City, and Grace Abounding. He was released after the Declaration of Indulgence of 1672, under which he became a licensed preacher and pastor of the church to which he belonged; but in 1673 the Declaration was canceled, and Bunyan was sent back to prison for six months. During this time he wrote his most famous work, the epic Christian allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress. His defined religious outlook is balanced in his writing by an almost modern realism and psychological insight.