The Pilgrim's Progress

by John Bunyan, John Wesley, Juan Bunyan, et al.

Book Overview

A new edition of one of the greatest allegorical stories ever written. Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read

A masterpiece of the English Puritan tradition, The Pilgrim's Progress is rich in its imaginative power and its vivid and heartfelt language. It recounts the story of Christian, who appears to the author in a dream, and his journey to Heaven through the trials and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141439718
• ISBN13: 9780141439716
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.0" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Abridged Edition

I was specifically looking to get the original, full length version, and was instead sent a "modernized & abridged" version that should have cost like $1. I advise double-checking through a search engine the ISBN of the edition you are ordering if this is important to you.

Condition not as advertised

I bought a Like New copy. The corners are dogeared and there is pen underlying and notes throughout.

Wouldn’t order this off here again

I’m pretty careful about what I order and don’t purchase abridged versions but was shipped an abridged version instead. That’s frustrating that they don’t differentiate between the two.

Give To Nonbelievers

BEST BOOK to give a nonbeliever.

A must read for every christian

A true classic that it's worth reading it. Every situation the pilgrims faced encourages you to move forward and understand that you are not alone in this journey. I also loved the translation it was very understandable.

Second best selling book of all time

A similitude of being saved as a Christian and the temptations distractions and battles while on the straight and narrow path. Written in the English of the time likened to the King James Bible. If you like Narnia or the Hobbit you'll love this classic.

Pretty much THE classic work on the Christian life

This is a brilliant work on the Christian life. Historically, it has been the second-best-selling book of ALL TIME, right after the Bible itself. I'd say its status is well-deserved; it is pretty much THE classic work on the Christian life. As fiction, this work is thoroughly engrossing. While many books will not "age" well, this classic is timeless. It has truly stood the test of time. It is very fun to read, and the old English is not hard to get past. This is great theology too. It belongs on the bookshelf of every Christian.

Readable and human parable. A story for all times.

The first time that I encountered Christian and his pilgrimage was as a preface and a family favorite in the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Unfortunately, it was not until twenty-something years later that I actually got around to reading the book itself. If I were you, I would not wait that long. The first part of the current combined book appeared in 1678. Bunyan, a nonconformist Protestant minister who was imprisoned for preaching without a license, wrote at least the first part of the book in jail. The second part was first published in 1684. It is likely the most popular allegory ever written, and is still one of the best selling books of all time. What makes it so popular? The obvious key to its popularity is its simple, crisp style. Even accounting for the language changes between the seventeenth century and now, it is not a struggle to read Progress and it flows well for the modern reader. Although the book is allegory, the characters are full of little realistic details that make them feel quite human. Incidentally, I was reading this book as I was walking some of the old pilgrimage trails of Europe and it was interesting to me how vivid and applicable his version of the pilgrimage experience is. The Slow of Despair rang remarkably true, as did characters such as Talkative and Mr. Worldly Wisdom. The Oxford University Press edition is bound with a scholarly introduction which is, for a change, worth reading. It also came with explanatory notes and a glossary which were helpful for the modern reader who is not familiar with the everyday language of the period.

Practical heart searching Christianity.

Pilgrim's Progress has been accepted by the world as a classic piece of literature. However, just as Handel's Messiah is recognised as a magnificent work without people really appreciating the message it brings so Pilgrim's Progress can suffer from its own fame. Here we have the stories of believers moving towards heaven. They have ups and downs. They suffer pain and experience pleasure. All the time the christian reader is being led forward into experimental practical christian avenues. Despair, doubt, backsliding, the temptations of the world, helps from above and support from others on the Way all make this work so vital and relevant. Both parts, Christian's journey and Christiana's are wonderful in their own ways. For the past four years I have preferred the second part. Read it every year at least once. If you must read only one other book next to your Bible let it be this one, (Or Thomas Watson on All things for Good) but do read it all. A classic that is beyond review.