The Pilgrim's Regress

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book written by C.S. Lewis after his conversion, The Pilgrim's Regress is, in a sense, a record of Lewis's own search for meaning and spiritual satisfaction that eventually led him to Christianity.

It is the story of John and his odyssey to an enchanting island that has created in him an intense longing, a mysterious, sweet desire. John's pursuit of this desire takes him through adventures with such people as Mr. Enlightenment, Media Halfways, Mr. Mammon, Mother Kirk, Mr. Sensible, and Mr. Humanist, and through such cities as Thrill and Eschropolis, as well as the Valley of Humiliation.

Though the dragons and giants here are different from those in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Lewis's allegory performs the same function of enabling the author to say with fantasy and simplicity what would otherwise have demanded a full-length philosophy of religion. In Lewis's skillful hands this fable becomes as effective a Christian apologia as Bunyan's.

©1933 Clive Staples Lewis (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

Great short story

What did you like best about this story?

It is a much more modern way of looking at our walk with God than the pilgrims progress and you don't need to know old English to understand the conversation

My girls had the abridged version of this book a required reading in fifth grade

The accents and inflections sounded like I was listening to a play. Well done. I've listened to this book yearly for several years now.

Difficult to Understand

I persevered to the end, and I have to say that this book is incredibly difficult to understand. I'm sure a thorough knowledge of historical thoughts and philosophies would be beneficial.

5 STARS Excellent listen!

Such beautiful writing and story telling by C. Lewis, I will be recommending this to everyone. Plus I will be getting the book to read it as well. Also excellently read by Mr. Vance, his voice is the perfect suit for such a tale. Would give it 30 Stars if it were possible.

Brought The Pilgrims Regress to Life

I really don’t have a dislike. The narrater was excellent. As for the book itself, it’s CS Lewis , so it’s brilliant as usual.

For the well informed, or who wish to become so

If one should listen to C.S. Lewis's lesser known works, one could not ask for a better reader than Simon Vance. His depth of knowledge from years of narrating excellent books helps him to do it better than most others could hope.

But that doesn't change the fact that there are many classical and historic allusions in this allegory of his journey to Christianity that the vast majority of modern readers were never educated well enough to fully comprehend, including me.

However, if you listen carefully and patiently, and perhaps find a translation or two of some Latin quotes (if you think it matters to you), you will come out in the end with a wider understanding of the past and it's effect on Lewis and our times today.

But if you merely listen to it as a story that you don't really expect to understand every point of, it will still be a gratifying listen.

I digress :)

I have come to love C.S. Lewis. His writing is thought provoking and his words complicated. I have challenged myself to only pause briefly to ponder on some passage instead of rewinding in attempts to find a meaning. If I were to do so I am sure I would never finish.
This novel tells of a dream the author is detailing of his journey to and from and back to his religious choice. We hear the pain, the struggle, some joy and in the end a coming to... I am sure the character although having gone through many wonders and should wholeheartedly now believe still had to find strength to keep on his path.
Out of all the characters named so eloquently, I found myself in awe that it was Virtue. I for sure thought it’d be Wisdom. I place wisdom to such a high standard. I thought I should aspire to be wise. But alas this is one more thing I need to break down in the smallest parts.

Christian apologetics

What I liked most was the narrator’s reading of the book
What I liked least was some of the complexities and obscurities that made it difficult to follow in places.
I will most assuredly read this book again and again to gain more of an understanding ; although it was still a most enjoyable listen the first time through
This is a book I will definitely recommend and perhaps get the physical book for notes and thoughts

Great book!

This is my favorite book by C.S. Lewis. I thought Simon Vance does a great job of narrating as well!

Don't Confuse with Bunyon. The Journey of a Soul

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. Lewis weaves a wonderful autobiographical allegory of his life's journey to discover the purpose of life and truth. It's rich in symbolism and metaphor not unlike the Chronicles of Narnia.

What other book might you compare The Pilgrim's Regress to and why?

Ok, Pilgrim's Progress by Bunyan. But other than the title's and the fact that both are allegories, Lewis is much more profound and complex.

Any additional comments?

I encountered C.S. Lewis in college and was represented with his works recently and particularly after listening to The Pilgrim's Regress will be reading/listening to him again. His rational, extremely intelligent discussion and defense of Christianity is refreshing. I look forward as well to reading his space trilogy that I am told the third volume of which That Hideous Strength should be considered on par with the Orwell classics, 1984 and Animal Farm.