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 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.

A very moving allegory

The Pilgrim’s Regress is essentially the path Lewis took towards faith, but such a path is one that many readers have travelled on, at least in parts. We have never escaped the myths of Freud, the Puritan locals, the clutches of Mammon and all his ridiculous tenants etc. But even if some of Lewis’s allegory seems obscure, chances are you’ll understand the sentiment behind whatever character he describes. The fundamental ideologies Lewis paints so well in this book are still around, though some are more prominent now compared to the 1930’s when this was written.

This is a book worth rereading. Each new reading you’ll think of a person, or group of people, who are embodied precisely by one of Lewis’s characters. The book functions almost like a black light revealing the stain of ideology we often miss on the world around us.

At it’s heart, the Pilgrim’s Regress contains Lewis’s “argument from desire,” the exploration of what this strange ineffable longing, never quite satisfied with anything, is, comes from, and moves towards.

This particular audio book is very well read and includes a postscript to the third edition that provides even more context for this work.

Excellent master piece

A Very deep allegory of the man to Christian faith. prepare to give your undivided attention. I will certainly listen again. excellent narration.

fascinating tour through human thought foibles

semi autobiographical journey through the life of CS Lewis. imagined in an allegorical world of personified thought

Great book

loved the book. almost like it was written for today the voice was easy to learn to

thank you

A glorious story and a very refreshing Brook. I think that I will read it often.

Brilliant

The book is untouchable to criticism or acclamation as it can be no less then inspired. An allegorical experience that explores the soul at its depth. Beautiful voiceover performance❤️

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.