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Summary
Summary
'The Pilgrim's Progress' is one of the best loved and most widely read books in English literature. It is an acknowledged classic of the heroic Puritan tradition and a founding text in the development of the English novel.
Author Notes
John Bunyan was born in Elstow, Bedfordshire, England, in 1628. He learned to read and write at the village school and was prepared to follow his father's trade as a brazier when the English Civil War broke out in 1644 and he was drafted into the Parliamentary army. His military service brought him into contact with Oliver Cromwell's Puritan troops.
Beginning in 1648, Bunyan suffered a crisis in religious faith that lasted for several years. He turned to the Nonconformist church in Bedford to sustain him during this period. His first writings were attacks against the Quakers. Then Charles II was restored to the throne and Bunyan was arrested for conducting services not in accordance with the Church of England. He spent 12 years in jail. During this time, he wrote his autobiography, Grace Abounding, in which he described his spiritual struggle and growth.
During his last years in prison, Bunyan began his most famous work, The Pilgrim's Progress, a two-part allegorical tale of the character Christian and his journey to salvation. Part I was published in 1678 and Part II in 1684. The second part deals with the spiritual journey of Christian's wife and sons, as they follow in his footsteps. With its elements of the folktale tradition, The Pilgrim's Progress became popular immediately. Well into the nineteenth century it was a book known to almost every reader in England and New England, second in importance only to the Bible. So great was the book's influence that it even plays a major role in Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott. Such expressions as "the slough of despond" and "vanity fair" have become part of the English language.
Bunyan's other works include The Life and Death of Mr. Badman and The Holy War. He also wrote A Book for Boys and Girls, verses on religious faith for children.
Bunyan died in London on August 31, 1688.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Critics' Reviews (3)
Guardian Review
The Puritan preacher John Bunyan dreamed a famous dream but can hardly have imagined that his statue would end up inside an exclusive hotel Martin Luther King wasnt the first person to have a significant dream (Big business is hijacking our radical past , G2, 9 February). Nor the first to have it hijacked by commercial interests. The opening of the Puritan preacher John Bunyans Pilgrims Progress (1678, written during his years in prison for his dissenting religious views) is inscribed under his statue on the outside of the former Baptists headquarters in Southampton Row, near Holborn station in London: As I walkd through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a Den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a Dream. The building is now a boutique hotel. While it was being renovated the developers hoardings made proud play of Bunyans inspiration to conjure a dream of exclusive luxury. Patricia Potts London
Kirkus Review
This is a retelling, not an abridgement, geared for older children and young adults who want to know Bunyan's story but who might well find the language of the original incomprehensible, even in the Godolphin abridgement. The allegorical quest for faith--avoiding the Slough of Despond, escaping the temptations of Vanity Fair, and fending off the giant Despair--still makes a good story. Poet Reeves' changes are mostly cuts of long discussions, but he has also done some simplifying as well as rewriting to add imagery. For example, Evangelist's warning that Worldly-Wiseman is of a ""carnal temper"" becomes ""According to them, you only have to follow a few easy rules, and you can stuff your belly with roast meat and sleep on a feather mattress. . ."" The black-and-white full-page drawings are in a woodcut-like style with a rustic stiffness that fits the story. It is unfortunate, though, that Bunyan does not get onto the title-page. Overall, this should not replace the lovely Lawson/Godolphin illustrated abridged version, but it is a respectful retelling of the Puritan classic that has been beloved by many generations of children. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Library Journal Review
In this classic work of allegorical fiction, Christian, a man-or possibly Everyman-battles his way to heaven. The path is strenuous, strewn with both mental temptations and physical struggles. Later, his wife and children follow a similar, although slightly gentler, path. As in Dante's earlier and better known Divine Comedy, the road to heaven described here is both physical and mental, even though Bunyan's Protestant path and language are far more austere than those found in Dante's lush, Catholic work. David Shaw-Parker gives a wonderfully expressive reading of a text that is somewhat complex and archaic to the modern ear. verdict Recommended for individuals with a strong interest in important, pre-19th-century literary classics, allegories, or epics.-I. Pour-El, Ames Jewish Congregation, IA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.