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.