The beyond classic 17th century first published and questionably still the greatest work of theoretical fiction is a must-read because of its status in global publishing history. The book itself is very meh, but its appeal to readers interested in theoretical Christian fiction is way beyond doubt, and with its standing in history the very least I can give it is a Two Star, 5 out of 12. Still a book that has to surely be on every reader's tick-list?

2022 read

What this ISN'T is a review of an indisputably profound book. No review here could do it perfect justice.What this IS is an in-depth look at an early episode of the book - that of that notoriously sticky wicket, the Slough of Despond - from the particular angle of waking up to life, coming of age, in our modern day and era.So let's keep it simple. Let's say you have just had a revelation of all the ruefully intermingled glory and all the cheap ugliness of becoming an adult. Here's where also (as...

It is undoubtedly an exciting approach to faith and religion, more accessible and 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 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 did, it would be just a few), and it's a path of resi...

Pilgrim's Progress is about two delusional assholes wandering around being dicks to people, so it's basically a takeoff of Don Quixote. But the dreaming narrator seems unconscious of the fact that the pilgrims are both jerks. I suppose it's possible that they're not supposed to be jerks at all, but...no, that can't be right. They're such jerks.It starts with a guy named Christian abandoning his family to wander off in search of a magical city. "His wife and children...began to cry after him to r...

Midway upon the journey between my home and work did I open the case of my kindle, and in that case I did there find a kindle. Then, I turned this kindle on and lo! what there did I find? The Pilgrim’s Progress. And so mine eyes began to read the screen. Thus, I did set upon another journey at that time, traveling from the beginning of the book to the end. And there I did find many new acquaintances.My first companion I came upon was Mr. Amusement. But he quickly left me, and then did Mr. Boredo...

In the dawn of the day Reader began his quest for the Great Denoument with a glad heart, his countenance suffused by the Joy of Literature Yet Unread and unburthened by Mercantile Drear. He knew he should soon pass threw Goodreads City which was said to be very Malevolent yet still he feared not and sang out hymns and epithalamions addressed to the Archangels Proust, Joyce and Bolano which should look over him as he ventured. Eftsoons, he met with Mr Worldly Wise, who thrust at him pretty volume...

I have a few versions of this on my shelves from the nicely bound hard back to paper backs I can hand out (you know "loan").This is (as I'm sure most already know) an allegorical journey depicting the struggles of living the Christian life. John Bunyan was a Puritan or Baptist (preacher) imprisoned when it was against the law to be a be Puritan or Baptist. He was imprisoned for (aprox.) twelve years for refusing to convert to Anglicanism (Church of England)...this sort of thing by the way is the...

First published in 1678, The Pilgrim's Progress remains remarkably relevant: it has never been out of print and is long regarded as the most printed and widely read Christian book after the Bible. Written by the Puritan John Bunyan while imprisoned, it is an allegory of the beginning, progression, and conclusion of the true Christian life, offering timeless insight into the struggles and triumphs that all believers experience. Every character, place, and physical detail carries symbolic meaning ...

So you know when you hear that Citizen Kane is the best movie ever because of how revolutionary it was during its time period, and then you watch it and you realize that the key phrase is "during its time period"? Well, reading Pilgrim's Progress is likely to leave many with the same feeling. No doubt one of the greatest modern religious texts in terms of what it provided for early Puritans (an easy and concrete representation of their theology and daily living practices), it leaves a little to ...

I read this book during my second deployment to Iraq as well and it took me quite a while to finish it. I had seen this book referenced often and I wanted to read it on my own. The overall consensus is that it is a very compelling book and will pull at your soul's emotional strings with its simplicity and candor. But also there were three major hurdles to finishing this book--for me, at least:It was first published in 1678 so it is not an easy read. The diction is alien to me, but also one does ...