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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
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.
I've wanted to read this ever since reading Little Women, because the March sisters loved it, but actually it was very bad. I mean dreary obviously, dreary to an extent that even dragons and chimeric monsters cannot save. Bunyan belonged to the group of faiths which comprised the first English settlers in the US, often called Puritans, and a lot of his attitude is reminiscent of the stereotypes of their evangelistic, fundamentalist descendents.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
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.
I was quite bored by this story. I am not the biggest fan of the religious themes that this book is full of. It felt very repetitive after a while. There were a lot of issues of confusion in the story. There were many times where I got lost whether it was actually a dream or not in the specific moments.
I don't really have much to say about it since I didn't enjoy it much.
I don't really have much to say about it since I didn't enjoy it much.
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.
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.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like this isn’t only a must for Christian readers it’s also an interesting and gripping tale for all readers.