The Pilgrim’s Progress

Never out of print since 1678, but who has read the whole of this most influential allegory? Christian’s trials and temptations on his journey to the Celestial City are part of our language: the Slough of Despond and Vanity Fair; Doubting Castle where his protector Greatheart slew the Giant Despair; Appolyon the winged Destroyer. It’s uncannily cinematic – Christian spies the light of the Celestial City through the shepherd’s ‘perspective glass’ – and the narration highlights Bunyan’s biblical and colloquial rhythms.

Rachel Redford, The Oldie

John Bunyan’s classic allegory tells the story of Christian, who searches for salvation amid a world of temptation and deceit. As the story is presented in the framework of the author’s dream, Christian must follow his path to redemption by discerning between friend and foe. Narrator David Shaw-Parker speaks clearly and often slows his pace for Bunyan’s lengthy explanations. The story has a barrage of metaphorical characters, and Shaw-Parker handles each distinctly. Christian himself speaks earnestly and emphatically. Because of the abstract nature of the story as well as its seventeenth-century English, The Pilgrim’s Progress is challenging in audio form. Readers may even find themselves listening to sections again. This is no fault of Shaw-Parker, who gives an excellent performance and directs listeners steadily down Christian’s path.

D.M.W., AudioFile