The Pilgrim's Regress

By: C. S. Lewis

Narrated by: Simon Vance

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

excellent

a must read for certain, Lewis' mind for detail and his imagination sharpen the listener's

Good read

I enjoyed this book, however I probably need to read it again because some of it was over my head. The general message I got out of it though, was awesome and very clearly shows how we sometimes think more highly of things that we should enter blinded to so much.

Lewis genius

Such deep insight.
Vance reads superbly.
Many quotable quotes here.
This will keep you thinking for some time.

The allegory is dense, but the message is profound

One of Lewis's earlier books, this allegory follows the story of John, representing Lewis, through the different ideologies that he samples in his life on his quest to find the answer to the longing in his heart, ultimately ending in Christianity. As he explains in the afterword, Lewis did not realize until years later that his winding philosophical journey was somewhat unique, and that his experiences, especially when veiled by the language of metaphor, would not be relatable to many. The story, however, is beautiful and sprinkled with nuggets of wisdom. An enjoyable listen, but requires focus to get through.

Loved Beyond!

This was an absolutely wonderful book! Very similar to Pilgrim’s progress - but So different too! Wonderful story!

Pilgrims Regress

Gotta stay with it,the story moves along quickly! Narrator very good, presis and easy listening.

Afterwords Says It All

While I do enjoy this book with it's dream quality and mimicry of several of humanities thinly veiled attempts to replace religion, it just doesn't quite live up to Lewis's literary greatness. His own Afterwords comments identify the deficiencies pretty well. Still, I can recommend it.

Wonderful Book

This is a wonderful book that is a great allegorical way to navigate the many belief systems in life. It is a great story.

heady travel thru differing philosophies

this takes an intelligently probing mind. clearly has many levels as all good allegories. helpful to have read Bunyon's Pilgrims Progress first.

Inspiring analogy

I was inspired by C.S. Lewis’ writings. I loved how he used the example of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress to create this story.