Honestly, I love Christian Allegory, but I felt this was a diluted rip off of the Everyman moral play. I was looking forward to a provocative tale but this came up short with blatant imagery pulled together with the smallest bit of finesse. Sorry to be so scathing Mr. Bunyan. I get that it was to be accessible to the common man, but this is more a pamphlet than a serious piece of literature.
The only reason I think I'll keep reading it is so that I know the references and allusions people take from it. It's an easy enough read. ( )

Describes the Christian journey to heaven.

i would to read the book

Classic allegory of the Christian life.

I first read this as a young girl; inspired by the March sisters in "Little Women." I remember the quest Christian was on as full of dangers and temptations. I don't remember reading part two of the story when Christiana and the boys takes centerstage. I remembered Christian’s trouble of staying on the straight and narrow and falling into the mire ... the sloth of despond. I've been there myself over the years, but I keep pressing on.

This time I listened to the story on audiobook. I loved the spoken language .. the "thus said," "where for," "whence come you " ...
Bunyan's poetic measures were apologized for, but I found them to be quaint and enjoyed hearing them. Here's a favorite:

"Apples were they with which we were beguiled,
Yet sin, not apples, hath our soul defiled ...."

When Christian and Hopeful approach the beautiful "By-path" meadow full of lilies, and they lay down to sleep, for some reason I began to think about the yellow-brick road and Dorothy lying down in the field of poppies.

Pilgrim’s Progress the second time around,years later,was good. I have more knowledge now of the allegories made to the Biblical word. I recognized Christ’s temptation in the wilderness, Lot’s wife turned to a pillar of salt, and Jacob’s ladder.

This makes me want to read Bunyan’s “twin” to this book:
The Life and Death of Mr. Badman ( )