352 pages
Published Dec. 4, 2008 by Penguin Books Ltd.
The Pilgrim's Progress (Penguin Classics)
by John Bunyan
John Bunyan: The Pilgrim's Progress (Penguin Classics) (2008, Penguin Books Ltd)
- ISBN:
- 978-0-14-143971-6
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Bunyan's allegory uses the everyday world of common experience as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of the soul toward God. The hero, Christian, encounters many obstacles in his quest: the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Vanity Fair, Doubting Castle, the Wicket Gate, as well as those who tempt him from his path (e.g., Talkative, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, the Giant Despair). But in the end he reaches Beulah Land, where he awaits the crossing of the river of death and his entry into the heavenly city. "Pilgrim's Progress" was enormously influential not only as a best-selling inspirational tract in the late 17th century, but as an ancestor of the 18th-century English novel, and many of its themes and ideas have entered permanently into Western culture.
Bunyan's allegory uses the everyday world of common experience as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of the soul toward God. The hero, Christian, encounters many obstacles in his quest: the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Vanity Fair, Doubting Castle, the Wicket Gate, as well as those who tempt him from his path (e.g., Talkative, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, the Giant Despair). But in the end he reaches Beulah Land, where he awaits the crossing of the river of death and his entry into the heavenly city. "Pilgrim's Progress" was enormously influential not only as a best-selling inspirational tract in the late 17th century, but as an ancestor of the 18th-century English novel, and many of its themes and ideas have entered permanently into Western culture.
Stonebender reviewed The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Review of "Pilgrim's progress" on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
No Other Choice by T.L. Payne is the second book in the Fall of Houston five book series. I have a hard time reviewing this type of series by each book, so I'm talking about them all as a unit. This series could have benefited from some heavy editing. I think cutting it down to two (or possibly three) books would've been an improvement. A lot of the action in this story gets repetitive. People get into trouble, then fight their way out again and again. I got tired of the main character constantly saying all he wanted to do was protect his boy. I also thought the politics of the situation were a bit simplistic. Communist countries don't cooperate with each other just because they're communist. Unless I was a true blue fan of this genre, I'd skip it.
No Other Choice by T.L. Payne is the second book in the Fall of Houston five book series. I have a hard time reviewing this type of series by each book, so I'm talking about them all as a unit. This series could have benefited from some heavy editing. I think cutting it down to two (or possibly three) books would've been an improvement. A lot of the action in this story gets repetitive. People get into trouble, then fight their way out again and again. I got tired of the main character constantly saying all he wanted to do was protect his boy. I also thought the politics of the situation were a bit simplistic. Communist countries don't cooperate with each other just because they're communist. Unless I was a true blue fan of this genre, I'd skip it.
Stonebender reviewed The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Review of "Pilgrim's progress" on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
No Man's Land by T.L. Payne is the last book in the Fall of Houston five book series. I have a hard time reviewing this type of series by each book, so I'm talking about them all as a unit. This series could have benefited from some heavy editing. I think cutting it down to two (or possibly three) books would've been an improvement. A lot of the action in this story gets repetitive. People get into trouble, then fight their way out again and again. I got tired of the main character constantly saying all he wanted to do was protect his boy. I also thought the politics of the situation were a bit simplistic. Communist countries don't cooperate with each other just because they're communist. Unless I was a true blue fan of this genre, I'd skip it.
No Man's Land by T.L. Payne is the last book in the Fall of Houston five book series. I have a hard time reviewing this type of series by each book, so I'm talking about them all as a unit. This series could have benefited from some heavy editing. I think cutting it down to two (or possibly three) books would've been an improvement. A lot of the action in this story gets repetitive. People get into trouble, then fight their way out again and again. I got tired of the main character constantly saying all he wanted to do was protect his boy. I also thought the politics of the situation were a bit simplistic. Communist countries don't cooperate with each other just because they're communist. Unless I was a true blue fan of this genre, I'd skip it.
Review of 'Pilgrims Progress (Moody Classics)' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Supposedly was it with the cake but seriously if I will to the will to be looking at "the book my sons with this type of payment of the best by considering mildly amusing but decided not to but is the next one is it was
Supposedly was it with the cake but seriously if I will to the will to be looking at "the book my sons with this type of payment of the best by considering mildly amusing but decided not to but is the next one is it was
essteeyou reviewed Pilgrims Progress (Moody Classics) by John Bunyan
Review of 'Pilgrims Progress (Moody Classics)' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This is the best book I have read in a long time. I found the beginning intriguing, but it really began to resonate and leave an impression on me for the middle and (most of) the end.
The story has an overwhelmingly positive and important message, although it is delivered in a somewhat dark and pessimistic way. Delivering it any other way would probably be overpowering, or sickening.
I'll be recommending this book to everyone I know.
This is the best book I have read in a long time. I found the beginning intriguing, but it really began to resonate and leave an impression on me for the middle and (most of) the end.
The story has an overwhelmingly positive and important message, although it is delivered in a somewhat dark and pessimistic way. Delivering it any other way would probably be overpowering, or sickening.
I'll be recommending this book to everyone I know.
essteeyou reviewed Pilgrims Progress (Moody Classics) by John Bunyan
Review of 'Pilgrims Progress (Moody Classics)' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I read this short story in one sitting. I was reminded of The Gunslinger by Stephen King, which is probably my favourite book ever.
I wish this story was longer, or there were more stories set in this world.
Review of 'Pilgrims Progress (Moody Classics)' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Fantastic collection of stories
This is a fantastic collection of short stories from a set of incredibly talented authors. They manage to build incredibly vivid and interesting worlds in such a short time and draw you in to tell their stories. Not a bad one in the bunch.
None
3 stars
When I was in my early high school, I read Little Pilgrim's Progress and thought it was a quite a fun story with swords and battles and adventures. Reading the 'adult' version of the book has brought back memories as I try and align the two.
This version was still quite readable and the first part of the book followed Christian as he journeyed to the wicket gate to start walking on the narrow path. He struggled with or fought of or was almost misled by various characters and trials. Each of the people was given a name that reflected their character, such as Faithful, Hopeful, Ignorance, Evangelist and Pliable.
However, after passing through Vanity Fair and the Celestial Mountains, the story started to slow down with several lengthy theological explanations as they walked along. The end of the journey appeared suddenly and the characters walked a pretty easy path …
When I was in my early high school, I read Little Pilgrim's Progress and thought it was a quite a fun story with swords and battles and adventures. Reading the 'adult' version of the book has brought back memories as I try and align the two.
This version was still quite readable and the first part of the book followed Christian as he journeyed to the wicket gate to start walking on the narrow path. He struggled with or fought of or was almost misled by various characters and trials. Each of the people was given a name that reflected their character, such as Faithful, Hopeful, Ignorance, Evangelist and Pliable.
However, after passing through Vanity Fair and the Celestial Mountains, the story started to slow down with several lengthy theological explanations as they walked along. The end of the journey appeared suddenly and the characters walked a pretty easy path near the end, with not many challenges.
And of course, in the end, they successfully reach heaven and are allowed to enter in.
One thing that concerned me as I read was that the book was running out of pages to cover his wife's story. From what I recall, Little Pilgrim's Progress covers both Christian and Christiana's stories. According to Wikipedia, there is a second book that covers her story, although it is possible the edition I read was slightly abridged and did not include it.
Sean Bala reviewed The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
Review of "Pilgrim's progress" on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
I came upon "The Pilgrim's Progress" via the Vaughn Williams opera and was intrigued by the idea of an allegorical journey of a pilgrim towards the heavenly city. Bunyan was a dissenter (an individual who dissented from the official Anglican Church) in 17th century England and it is clear that the short text was written in pious passion. His journey is instantly recognizable to most people of faith or religious scholars though it retains is Christian (specifically evangelical Christian) character. In my opinion, the first part is stronger than the second, with such wonderful places as the Slough of Despond and Vanity Fair.
Don't read this text for well-drawn characters - it is a text of ideas. It is enjoyable on an abstract level but there were numerous times when I simply wanted Bunyan to move the pilgrim faster towards the Heavenly City. There were times when even I, a …
I came upon "The Pilgrim's Progress" via the Vaughn Williams opera and was intrigued by the idea of an allegorical journey of a pilgrim towards the heavenly city. Bunyan was a dissenter (an individual who dissented from the official Anglican Church) in 17th century England and it is clear that the short text was written in pious passion. His journey is instantly recognizable to most people of faith or religious scholars though it retains is Christian (specifically evangelical Christian) character. In my opinion, the first part is stronger than the second, with such wonderful places as the Slough of Despond and Vanity Fair.
Don't read this text for well-drawn characters - it is a text of ideas. It is enjoyable on an abstract level but there were numerous times when I simply wanted Bunyan to move the pilgrim faster towards the Heavenly City. There were times when even I, a religious studies scholar with two degrees in religion, found myself slightly lost in the minutia of the theological debates.
In spite of these comments, given the influence of "The Pilgrim's Progress" on English literature, I would recommend reading it once.
