The Pilgrim's Progress

By: John Bunyan

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Next to The Bible, The Pilgrim's Progress has probably been more widely read than any other book in the English language, and rightfully so. It is considered by most critics as the greatest allegory in any language. And to think that it was written by a jailed tinker who received very little formal education.

This is the enthralling account of a Christian's epic journey. With a burden on his back, Christian reads a book that tells him that the city in which he and his family dwell will be set ablaze. Christian flees from the City of Destruction and journeys through the Slough of Despond, the Interpreter's House, the House Beautiful, the Valley of Humiliation, the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Vanity Fair, Doubting Castle, and the Delectable Mountains, and finally reaches the Celestial City.

(P)1997 Blackstone Audiobooks; originally published in 1670, United Kingdom

Fantastic story, amazing narrative

I was very pleasantly surprised by this book, it is a truly great story. If a person is able to get past their prejudices against Christianity they'd love this glimpse into the mindset of 1600s western culture. I heard hints of ancient Greek mythology, and Biblical theology. The Greek ideal of challenging yourself to be the best you can possibly be, plus their lack of mercy for the obviously vile individuals while the Christian ideal of Mercy for the believers who stumble.
Real villains, monsters and demons mix it up with Greek like Heros with King Arthur and the Round Table Chivalry.

I think Christians will have a big struggle with this book as well, the idea of a magical prayer transporting one to Christ is quiet foreign in this story. Faith is as dead as a door nail here without much labor and trials. One's salvation is never assured until one enters through the Pearly Gates.

No wonder John Bunyan got jail by Christian authorities

I loved this story

John Bunyan's prose is so vivid and poetic!

Robert Whitfield nails the narration. He tackles a strong range of character voices and keeps the story engaging.

Very well read

This is a lovely adventure story that both myself and my children enjoyed listening to. The reader is animated and changes accent and tone as he reads the voices of various characters which makes the book fun to hear.

Fantastic reading of the iconic Pilgrim’s Progress

Robert Whitfield did an excellent job reading John Bunyan’s iconic Pilgrim’s Progress. John Bunyan’s portrayal of the many struggles that Christians meet in life is very enlightening, he personifies despair, ignorance, honesty, worldliness, and many many more attributes of holiness and worldliness. It is amazingly written and will draw you in, it will show you the love that Christ has for us, it will tell you the gospel of Christ, and will show you how important fellowship is with fellow Christians! I have always known the story and had seen a few different cinematic adaptations of the book, but had never fully read or listened to it before, and I was the lesser for it! This book will be often listened to and will be a hard copy in my library from now on, I will use it for studies and share it with my children. Do not pass up this book, it is life changing to listen to and consider!

So alive and so apt this story be, all should hear it transformingly

Relevant and enchanting, sustaining and secure. This story warms heart and sprit: Faith edified for sure.

Adventure and truth this journey excites, fir man and woman it truly delights!

Well written , well- read

This is a classic. Every follower of Jesus and everyone who loves English literary classics must read. It’s so well read with every character coming alive.

An illustration of sanctification

What a useful tool for your Christian walk with the Lord! Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis might be a close second. Praise John Bunyan for being such a faith and tried servant of the Lord!

Truth contained here!

This beautifully written allegory is the perfect metaphor of a ?pilgrims? journey through life with word pictures that will soothe your soul as you realize your journey along ?The Way? to the Kingdom is not so different than Christian?s. The author is brilliant in his poetry and Biblical truth. A must ?read? for all Christians. Unknown to me before listening, we are treated with a bonus of an additional journey by Christian?s wife and three children.

After all this time, still a great story

In an allegory, characters are often straight forward with little depth to them. That is the way Christian is in this timeless tale from John Bunyan, originally published in 1678. Nevertheless, he does grow and change as he advances in his journey toward the Celestial City. I really loved this story, and I think I liked the second half, the story of Christian's wife, Christiana, and her own journey with their four sons, even better than the first. This book is easy to understand and has many lessons for life contained in it, and presented in a way that won't be soon forgotten. I will read and listen to it agina.

A classic that still finds relevance today

One might say that I have a bias as I am a Christian but, I'm pretty critical. I certainly don't have a problem noting my objections or dislikes for any title. In a work such as this, I look for the relevance across the ages, the flow of the story (an important part given the language and references from 300 years ago)and the quality of the narration. The Pilgrim's Progress scores high on all three points. I very much enjoyed the title, even more so the second time through.