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Since its first publication in 1678, The Pilgrim's Progress has never been out of print -- and that fact reflects the timeless relevance and wisdom of this long-form Christian allegory. The text follows the journey of the title character, Christian, as he makes his way from the earthly sphere represented by the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial Sphere," which represents Heaven, battling sin, temptation, and every other conceivable vice along the way.
This was rewritten for children so it isn’t exactly like the original, but the vocabulary and the writing style was still a bit complex for kids. It’s a beautiful story and the illustrations were beautiful too, but I did have to slow down and explain quite a bit along the way because of how it was written. ( )
I first read this book many years ago, only because it was mentioned in Little Women - and I didn't like it at all. I thought that maybe I was too young for it and I didn't understand it, so I decided to read it again - and I still didn't like it. I think it was the last time I tried reading this book. ( )
This book is about a quest for virtue and the Path to Glory. An interesting read because this was one of the first novels in world history. The story is probably not very compelling to the average modern reader, but this is, given that it is an allegory on virtuous christian life, hardly surprising. The storyline consist mainly of an enumeration of various trials, obstacles and people Christian, the main character, meets on his way to The Celestial City / Heaven / Eternal life / God. It quickly becomes boring, but since I was interested in the development of the European Novel through the centuries, I decided to keep on reading. ( )
To think that The Pilgrim's Progress was first published in 1678 and it’s still around speaks to its enduring relevancy. The level of sophistication is significant. Each character, location, and event in the story symbolizes spiritual truths and moral lessons. The book explores themes such as the nature of faith, the trials and tribulations of the Christian life, and the ultimate reward awaiting the faithful. Overall, it’s a profound allegorical representation of the Christian journey in simple and straightforward words, which makes it accessible to us modern readers and relevant for readers interested in spiritual and moral reflections. ( )
To 'trav'lers of the past, their mem'ry to secure, That cloud of witnesses, alive in Heaven pure. For travelers today, to aid them in their trip; To help them follow on, in Christ's directorship. And future trav'lers, too, to help them run the race; To heighten their resolve, their foes to all out-pace. To my wife, who paid a price--putting up with me, While I dwelt with Christian, and all this company, To my children, each unique; help them hear a call From the Lord of Glory, to give to Him their all. And to the task ahead, in Bunyan's type of rhyme, We send you, Pilgrim, out--again another time.
--LEH (in Modern English version)
And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them
(Hebrews 11:13-16). (in Modern English version)
First words
As I walk'd through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place, where was a Denn; And I laid me down in that place to sleep; And as I slept I dreamed a Dream.
When at the first I took my Pen in hand, Thus for to write; I did not understand That I at all should make a little Book In such a mode; Nay, I had undertook To make another, which when almost done; Before I was aware, I this begun.
The author's apology for his book.
The first edition of The Pilgrim's Progress, of which an exact reproduction is now placed before the public, was issued by "Nath. Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultrey near Cornhill, 1678."
Preface (1875 facsimile ed.).
Since it's publication in 1678, The Pilgrim's Progress, has gone through thousands of editions and versions.
Preface (Pure Gold Classics ed.).
John Bunyan's The Pilgrims' Progress, first published in 1678, is acknowledged by many to be second only to the Bible as a Christian publication.
The Pilgrim's Progress is a book which in the three hundred years of its existence has crossed most of the barriers of race and culture that usually serve to limit the communicative power of a classic.
Introduction (Penguin ed. by Roger Sharrock).
Quotations
And all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
Since its first publication in 1678, The Pilgrim's Progress has never been out of print -- and that fact reflects the timeless relevance and wisdom of this long-form Christian allegory. The text follows the journey of the title character, Christian, as he makes his way from the earthly sphere represented by the "City of Destruction" to the "Celestial Sphere," which represents Heaven, battling sin, temptation, and every other conceivable vice along the way.
I am often amazed to find major works written from a prison cell.
( )