A beautifully illustrated, short yet still profound, condensed version of Pilgrim’s Progress.
Plot
As the author walked through the world, he came to a place and lay down to sleep, and in his sleep he dreamed about a man named Christian. Christian, reading of the destruction of his city in a book of truth, seeks to find a way of escape from the wrath to come. Guided by one Evangelist, the pilgrim sets out on the long and arduous journey from him homeland to the great Celestial City where he is promised life eternal. But the way is not easy, and he is beset by dangers at every turn.
Morality
The morality is excellent. Drawing from the images of mankind in Scripture, all who are wicked are punished, and all who are good receive the reward of God’s delight.
Spiritual Content
As an allegory, this book is full of spiritual content. All the characters possess meaningful names such as ‘Christian’ and ‘Faithful,’ ‘Mr Worldly Wiseman’ and ‘Hypocrisy.’ Each place along the road signifies a moment in a Christian’s spiritual walk.
Violence
The pilgrims' progress is anything but easy. There are pits, snares, lions, fiends to do battle with. At one point Christian is severely wounded, and he runs a monster through with his sword. As the monster runs away, it leaves blood over the ground. A giant keeps a pile of skulls as trophies of the pilgrims it has killed.
Drug and Alcohol Content
It can be implied that the people of Vanity Fair indulge to excess, but this is never directly addressed.
Sexual Content
None.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
It is mentioned that people blaspheme God.
Conclusion
Shorter but no less profound, Dangerous Journey is a good introduction to Bunyan’s larger work The Pilgrim’s Progress. The illustrations especially are compelling, matching the grace and depth of the original author’s words. Some of the illustrations, such as those of Apollyon and the giants, might be unsuitable for younger children since they accurately depict how frightening evil can be; but juxtaposed to that always is the beauty of God’s holiness and his triumph.
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