borumi's review
2.0
I've looking forward to reading this after Dante's Divine Comedy, but I guess I wasn't the target reader.
I found the allegorical names and symbolisms amusing at first, but it got old pretty quickly. I also didn't care that much for Christian as I did for Faithful, and I was wondering why he's so celebrated and reknowned instead of the latter.
The introduction of the other characters in part two were interesting at first (I found the weaker characters like Fearing and Feeble-minded more interesting than the strong and steadfast ones) but I think Bunyan should have stopped with the Feeble and the Honest joining the crew. I also wasn't so happy with how the women were depicted in the book as either dependent or vain or wicked sluts who entice good men. I mean why are women married off so easily and why are the children who must have been young men if they were allowed to have families still so dependent and weak?
I also found how they can be so unconcerned with the 'damned'. I know they are allegorical characters, but it still made me shudder as it reminded me of how people can be unbelievably cruel to those who they deem as 'enemies' of their principles. There were even some tinge of racism in the comment about the Ethiopians. These cringe factors might be one of the things that make non-Christian readers become wary and steer clear of Christianity rather than be moved towards it.
Even if I put aside all this as being the products of their time, the text was utterly bland compared to that of Dante. I guess that it's unfair to compare this to an epic poetry written by a poetic genius, but I couldn't help being overcome with dullness even with the occasional illustrations and the catchy rhymes that seem to be made for a musical chorus. So if I ever become a born-again Christian and am looking for some spiritual peptalk, I would re-read Dante or Milton, not Bunyan.
I found the allegorical names and symbolisms amusing at first, but it got old pretty quickly. I also didn't care that much for Christian as I did for Faithful, and I was wondering why he's so celebrated and reknowned instead of the latter.
The introduction of the other characters in part two were interesting at first (I found the weaker characters like Fearing and Feeble-minded more interesting than the strong and steadfast ones) but I think Bunyan should have stopped with the Feeble and the Honest joining the crew. I also wasn't so happy with how the women were depicted in the book as either dependent or vain or wicked sluts who entice good men. I mean why are women married off so easily and why are the children who must have been young men if they were allowed to have families still so dependent and weak?
I also found how they can be so unconcerned with the 'damned'. I know they are allegorical characters, but it still made me shudder as it reminded me of how people can be unbelievably cruel to those who they deem as 'enemies' of their principles. There were even some tinge of racism in the comment about the Ethiopians. These cringe factors might be one of the things that make non-Christian readers become wary and steer clear of Christianity rather than be moved towards it.
Even if I put aside all this as being the products of their time, the text was utterly bland compared to that of Dante. I guess that it's unfair to compare this to an epic poetry written by a poetic genius, but I couldn't help being overcome with dullness even with the occasional illustrations and the catchy rhymes that seem to be made for a musical chorus. So if I ever become a born-again Christian and am looking for some spiritual peptalk, I would re-read Dante or Milton, not Bunyan.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
2.0
I know this is a Christian classic, but meh. The first part (Christian's journey) was okay, but I felt like the second part was totally unnecessary. It basically just recounted Christian's journey and didn't add much to the allegory. I'm sure it will be a great book club discussion, but it's just not a book that I really enjoyed reading.
johannesretief's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s almost like reading a collection of short sermons but everything in the context of the Christian life. What this allegory does is put our place here on earth in perspective, and I think that’s why it has been so popular throughout the centuries.
elijah_renz's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sofer_mahir's review against another edition
3.0
I can neither fully sympathize with those who love this book nor those who hate it. It seems to me that those who hate it feel that way not because of its quality but because of what it is. Although I didn't find the book offensive to my taste, and I certainly enjoyed much of it, I can't imagine loving it as much as some do. All in all, it's a book worth reading. I'm glad I read it. I may even read it again someday. But not any day soon.
beckykendrick's review
4.0
I think one of the most challenging things of this book is learning the context in which it was written. Language and word meanings are so far removed from 1678 that it’s difficult at times to grasp what Bunyan was really communicating. All of that said, I think it’s a great work. This allegory has stood the test of time portraying eternal truths, and really much can still be gleaned from it today in 2022.
Another important context to consider is the Puritanism of Bunyan as well. Considering the scriptures and interpretation of scriptures while reading was important for me.
I think it’s a good read for anyone, Christian or no.
Another important context to consider is the Puritanism of Bunyan as well. Considering the scriptures and interpretation of scriptures while reading was important for me.
I think it’s a good read for anyone, Christian or no.
angelreadsthings's review
3.0
I was forced to read this in ninth grade, and I only vaguely remember it now; because, I just could never get into. The idea of allegorically detailing the Christian journey was nice...as an idea. The actual detailing of it proved both tedious and confusing to me.
jennykeery's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cook_memorial_public_library's review
5.0
A PBS Great American Read recommended by Cheryle. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Spilgrim%27s%20progress%20bunyan__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
natasha21's review
5.0
“Open the curtains, look within my veil;
Turn up my metaphors and do not fail:
If you seek them, such things to find,
As will be helpful to an honest mind
What of my waste you find there, be bold,
To throw away, but yet preserve the gold...”
I will. This whole book is gold!
Turn up my metaphors and do not fail:
If you seek them, such things to find,
As will be helpful to an honest mind
What of my waste you find there, be bold,
To throw away, but yet preserve the gold...”
I will. This whole book is gold!