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fastfinge's review against another edition
2.0
This is a good book for reading and discussion in a church or other book group. I wouldn't bother reading it by yourself.
auntie_bones's review against another edition
1.0
I'm not a big fan of analogy. This is a very black and white, skeletal analogy. I can appreciate it for being a product of its time, but it left my imagination a little bored. I realize it was written shortly after the Reformation, but it still dissapoints me when I see Protestants asserting that Catholics are not Christian. There are several jabs at Catholics in this book. I can see this being a good read if used as a personal devotional, or as an intriguing novel for a new believer, but it is not to my tastes.
grubstlodger's review against another edition
3.0
I had long written off ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ as a paper-thin allegory whose Christian subtext was worn so heavily that it couldn’t be read as a story. Having read QD Leavis’ ‘Fiction and the Reading Public’ (which I didn’t completely agree with), who led me to believe it was of greater psychological depth than I expected. Added to the fact that it was also one of Samuel Johnson’s favourite books - I was ready to read it.
I was drawn in by the poem at the beginning, and got to the first line, ‘As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream.’ Aside from being a beautiful line, it is very similar to the beginning of the revolutionary call-to-arms, ‘Piers Ploughman’. I was intrigued by Christian’s pain and burden and wanted him to get to the Celestial City.
There were areas that worked very well for me, particularly the giant Despair who locks Christian and Hopeful in his dungeon. I imagined the frequently depressed Samuel Johnson thinking on the suicidal discussion and ideation. I was also very interested by the water around the Celestial City that has a depth depending on faith.
I have to say, that I was very tired whenever Christian met a new person. I thought ‘not another one’ as he repeats the same adventures we have already seen to the Evangelist and the Interpreter, and the actions of the Interpreter to Faithful, and all of it again to Hopeful. While I was pleased that Hopeful’s flaws and successes come from his hopefulness - I did find the characters to be on-the-nose caricatures and they tired me.
Add to that, but Christian and his fellow journeymen utterly speak to each other in allegory and the whole thing, while presenting ideas about bravery and persistence, I found ultimately tiring.
I was drawn in by the poem at the beginning, and got to the first line, ‘As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream.’ Aside from being a beautiful line, it is very similar to the beginning of the revolutionary call-to-arms, ‘Piers Ploughman’. I was intrigued by Christian’s pain and burden and wanted him to get to the Celestial City.
There were areas that worked very well for me, particularly the giant Despair who locks Christian and Hopeful in his dungeon. I imagined the frequently depressed Samuel Johnson thinking on the suicidal discussion and ideation. I was also very interested by the water around the Celestial City that has a depth depending on faith.
I have to say, that I was very tired whenever Christian met a new person. I thought ‘not another one’ as he repeats the same adventures we have already seen to the Evangelist and the Interpreter, and the actions of the Interpreter to Faithful, and all of it again to Hopeful. While I was pleased that Hopeful’s flaws and successes come from his hopefulness - I did find the characters to be on-the-nose caricatures and they tired me.
Add to that, but Christian and his fellow journeymen utterly speak to each other in allegory and the whole thing, while presenting ideas about bravery and persistence, I found ultimately tiring.
bookwormwithnolife's review against another edition
1.0
The allegorical writing was good. I thought the author did a rather good job of the storyline. Yet the problem was, despite everything Christian went through, nothing really happened. Yes, he went on adventures, but the same conclusion seemed to always be found. I was so bored. It took at least two cups of coffee for me to not fall asleep for one chapter. It was so hard to struggle through the book, due to the absolute boredom that I felt. However, I think if you were one of those people who read the Lord of the Rings trilogy and was obsessed, you'd love it.
uncle_remus's review against another edition
1.0
This reads not quite like Young adult, but not quite children's either. It's a quest from City of Destruction to City of Zion, where every vice, virtue, emotion is personified... ("and here they met Prudence, having just escaped Worldly Traveler in the Valley of Humility"). All, tied in with quotes and rephrases from the Bible. The main protagonist is Christian (but not as a name like Christopher, but as in Christian versus Jew ...). Everything is a moral choice between Black and White (noticed I capitalized them so you would be Confused?) with every option so clearly apparently obvious as to how they wanted the Character to respond... so childish and blatant. It insulted my intelligence to read.
I abandoned this effort because I could not choke down another word. I could only gag down 78 (of 338) pages, or 23%.
No stars. I realize that this was a historically important book, but I think that was only because it brainwashed generations and generations of simpletons.
I abandoned this effort because I could not choke down another word. I could only gag down 78 (of 338) pages, or 23%.
No stars. I realize that this was a historically important book, but I think that was only because it brainwashed generations and generations of simpletons.
librarianna81's review against another edition
2.0
This was an interesting story...one that I'm glad I audiobooked, because I think it would have been quite tedious to read. I was not so into the religious aspect of it, but I found it much more enjoyable once I reminded myself to look upon it not like a tract, but rather like The Odyssey, which was also the fantastical story of a journey, fraught with many dangers such as giants and maliciousness intent upon keeping the hero from his ultimate destination. So was this much like that - there was much "magic" to this story, which I would never have thought. Blatantly allegorical (characters had names which declared what they were, i.e., Mr. Timorous, Mr. Little Faith, Mr. Valiant, etc.), but amusing in its own way, which I do believe Bunyan intended to an extent. He wanted to entertain the common people he expected would read the story, while teaching them. And boy, did I learn more about the Bible from this book than I ever have! Hah.
blueyorkie's review against another edition
2.0
It is undoubtedly an exciting approach to faith and religion, more accessible and even playful because it stages in the form of easy-to-understand metaphors the journey of an ordinary man, a gentleman from the 17th century, in a sort of concrete situation. But for the disbeliever that I am, it remains just as indigestible. Some passages even made me jump. Those who have faith, ask questions, or research will find their way there. I don't have it (and if I have, it would be just a few), and it's a path of resilience that doesn't suit me, far too exclusive and excessive and far too many things. I did, however, find some of the answers I had come for regarding the Vanity Fair. It's not that bad already.
notwithoutwitness's review against another edition
4.0
Not the easiest read, but well worth the effort. The Christian life in allegory.
My favorite part is where Christian and Hopeful are locked up in Doubting Castle being abused by Giant Despair. They come to discover the key to their release was with them the whole time.
My favorite part is where Christian and Hopeful are locked up in Doubting Castle being abused by Giant Despair. They come to discover the key to their release was with them the whole time.
hannah_is_reading's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like this isn’t only a must for Christian readers it’s also an interesting and gripping tale for all readers.
linorosa's review against another edition
This book is exhausting.
The whole thing is an excuse for preaching. The characters are there so the author has a chance to speak his mind. It kind of makes sense that religious books are filled with metaphors - it makes people reflect on the meaning, and, sure, gives it an air of depth. The author knows this. But this is just too on your face.
And the preaching is for a kind of religion where it's all about the glory of God. It's an obsession. The "human world", so to speak, has no value. There's no advice how to treat other people, how to become better, etc. The message is "you're a sinner, now go sacrifice everything and praise God till the end of times". And if you have a misstep here or there you may end up walking aimlessly with your eyes plucked out, burned alive or eaten by a giant. And if you do everything right and get to the gates of heaven, but forget your passport, you get shoved right into hell.
I guess this book was important at the time, when puritans weren't being treated well in England. A few years after this they were involved in beheading the king. I guess that's easily justifiable when
you're inspired by metaphors that excuse anything in the name of God.
The whole thing is an excuse for preaching. The characters are there so the author has a chance to speak his mind. It kind of makes sense that religious books are filled with metaphors - it makes people reflect on the meaning, and, sure, gives it an air of depth. The author knows this. But this is just too on your face.
And the preaching is for a kind of religion where it's all about the glory of God. It's an obsession. The "human world", so to speak, has no value. There's no advice how to treat other people, how to become better, etc. The message is "you're a sinner, now go sacrifice everything and praise God till the end of times". And if you have a misstep here or there you may end up walking aimlessly with your eyes plucked out, burned alive or eaten by a giant. And if you do everything right and get to the gates of heaven, but forget your passport, you get shoved right into hell.
I guess this book was important at the time, when puritans weren't being treated well in England. A few years after this they were involved in beheading the king. I guess that's easily justifiable when
you're inspired by metaphors that excuse anything in the name of God.