JOHN BUNYAN

by Ola Elizabeth Winslow ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

This is a conscientious biography of the author of Pilgrim's Progress, a book far more popular in the 18th and 19th century than it is today. Somehow the spiritual journey of Faithful has little appeal for this generation- and perhaps it is handicapped by its setting 17th century, lower-middle class, English life. Bunyan also was a man of little means, a tinker, of limited if intense imagination. His ""sins"", swearing, etc. seem somewhat bland today. Having listened to the thundering sermons of the early days of Puritanism. Bunyan underwent a conversion experience, became an unlawful itinerant preacher of a ""conventicle"" group, spent 12 years in prison because he would not relinquish his call and his right to proclaim it in his own way. Though Pilgrim's Progress to many rather fusty and often tedious, the idea behind it is valid and speaks to our times. His protestantism, and puritanism, are part of our own culture- particularly in New England, so that an interpretation of Bunyan's life such as this has importance as a background to earlier religious and moral patterns of thought. It also should be respected for its accuracy and detail.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1961

Categories: NONFICTION