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tabb_garofalo's review against another edition
3.0
I read half of it and didn’t finish.
Was really into it at first, but after the first part was over, it started to feel like a chore.
Don’t get me wrong! I do love the message. Just couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
Maybe I will someday.
Was really into it at first, but after the first part was over, it started to feel like a chore.
Don’t get me wrong! I do love the message. Just couldn’t bring myself to finish it.
Maybe I will someday.
lididi's review against another edition
3.0
The allegory can be a little daunting and tiring, but overall I did enjoy this book and the lessons that it was intended to teach.
lauras_books's review against another edition
3.0
Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor was one of my most-beloved books as a child. It took me well over a year to make it through the "grown up" version, but I’m glad I’ve finally finished.
This book is tough. If you don’t like older books, get the updated modern English version. I enjoy reading classics and still found the language difficult to follow (not as tough as Beowulf but that's not saying much). TPP is poetic and beautifully written—all accolades given are well-deserved. I loved this book from a literary analysis perspective. But without diving into all of the nerdy reasons TPP is a worthwhile read, at face value, the lack of subtlety is offputting. In our modern society, this reads like a very, very challenging children's fable. I hate to admit I much preferred Little Pilgrim's Progress.
This book is tough. If you don’t like older books, get the updated modern English version. I enjoy reading classics and still found the language difficult to follow (not as tough as Beowulf but that's not saying much). TPP is poetic and beautifully written—all accolades given are well-deserved. I loved this book from a literary analysis perspective. But without diving into all of the nerdy reasons TPP is a worthwhile read, at face value, the lack of subtlety is offputting. In our modern society, this reads like a very, very challenging children's fable. I hate to admit I much preferred Little Pilgrim's Progress.
emiged's review against another edition
1.0
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, the due date is looming ever closer and it's not getting any better.
It's an Allegory with a capital "A" and the moralizing is of far more importance than plot or characterization, so it's difficult to find a through story line. Basically, Christian is on a journey and meets with various weakness, temptations, and sins along the way personified as characters. There are interesting insights into human nature and the path to Heaven/The Celestial City, but it's so wordy that the reader has to wade through a whole lot to find those nuggets. I'm sure it's valuable as a Christian text, perhaps similar in its day to C.S. Lewis in ours, but I'm laying it down.
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
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, the due date is looming ever closer and it's not getting any better.
It's an Allegory with a capital "A" and the moralizing is of far more importance than plot or characterization, so it's difficult to find a through story line. Basically, Christian is on a journey and meets with various weakness, temptations, and sins along the way personified as characters. There are interesting insights into human nature and the path to Heaven/The Celestial City, but it's so wordy that the reader has to wade through a whole lot to find those nuggets. I'm sure it's valuable as a Christian text, perhaps similar in its day to C.S. Lewis in ours, but I'm laying it down.
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
lydiabeaver's review against another edition
4.0
Would definitely recommend the first half of this book. The second half was a bit repetitive and I lost steam. Great analogies and I learned a lot! I specifically loved the analogy of the “Slough of Despair”. I posted my notes & highlights, though I’m not sure if someone who hadn’t read the book would understand the format.
dansumption's review against another edition
3.0
Crikey, that Christian isn't half a judgemental so-and-so.
ksherman712's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a fan of allegorical stories. Beautiful writing!
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