Pilgrim's Progress [Hardcover]

Gary D. Schmidt (Author, Narrator), Barry Moser (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

If you think reading the classics means Cliffs Notes, this adventure story will change your mind! Not just another rewrite in simpler language or an abridgement, Schmidts new retelling blows the cobwebs off Bunyans dated language and puts his classic story into contemporary English that will stir your imagination and keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Masterfully illustrated with 50 dramatic watercolors, its as much fun to look through as it is to read!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This masterly rendition of Bunyan's 17th-century allegory issues a welcome invitation to visit this classic. While Schmidt modifies the vocabulary for a modern-day audience, he takes pains to preserve the spirit and artistry of the original text. His language is accessible if not invariably contemporary, as he tells how Christian leaves the City of Destruction in search of the Heavenly Palaces. His run-ins with an assortment of unsavory characters, monsters, seers and benevolent guides are brilliantly depicted in Moser's watercolor illustrations, which mirror the agelessness of Bunyan's moral. Author and illustrator produce a treasure sure to delight young and old. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Schmidt's retelling is much more accessible than the original version, which was written in the late 1600s. Although the number and extent of Christian's encounters with various temptations and trials on his journey to the Celestial City are reduced in this retelling, the flavor of his adventures is maintained. Schmidt has kept Bunyan's straightforward names such as Ignorance, Obstinate, Hopeful, Despair, Faithful, etc. for the players. The text is beautifully illustrated with Moser's colorful, realistic watercolors. His mix of both historical periods and ethnic groups is a fascinating way to extend the text spatially and temporally. For example, Christian is wearing a baseball cap but he also wears armor. Help is a portly gentleman in green overalls and a pinstriped shirt, while Evangelist is a distinguished African American in a white suit. An interesting, accessible version of an old classic that many YAs have heard about, but not all have read.
Kate Hegarty Bouman, Susquehanna Valley Junior High School, Conklin, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 88 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Retold By Gary D. Schmidt edition (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802850804
• ISBN-13: 978-0802850805
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthralling version for children, June 4, 2001

By 

"flmomx4" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (Hardcover)

I read John Bunyan's original work and found it wonderful, but I didn't feel it would entrance my children the way it did me with all of the heavy phraseology littered throughout the story. I normally detest "retellings" because they are usually literary trash not worthy of the time spent reading them.

This book was different. The story is extremely well written and maintains the rich flavor of the original story of Christian's journey of faith and his arrival in the Enchanted City. I read this version aloud to my four children, and they loved it. It is a chapter book, even though it looks like a simple "storybook." We took about a week with it at an approximately 20 minute per day rate. There are some alterations from the original, but nothing that changes the tone of the story.

The illustrations are exquisite, and I love how there are small paintings scattered throughout the text and not just large, page filling pictures. We checked it out from the library to read, and I enjoyed it so much I am planning to purchase a copy for our home collection.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and moving, August 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (Hardcover)

I have read the original Pilgrim's Progress a few times and portions of it many times. I have also read various versions and several of John Bunyan's other writings. I personally love the theology and consider it essential. Mr. Schmidt's version of the story is compelling for some important reasons. Though it does not contain the lengthy discussions of theology, it opens a door via the story line to share the story with someone else. He has added some This hopefully will raise questions and hopefully a healthy discussion of the things that John Bunyan was trying to communicate to his church members whom he wrote this story for. As I understand it, John Bynyan was using allegory (like Jesus used parables) to make important Biblically grounded truths understandable to his people. This retelling hopefully will be the springboard for many to share their faith. Those that believe already will find wonderful illustrations and a unique and encouraging way of seeing their own journey through this world to the Celestial City.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A super version and now there's a music CD available for it!, December 5, 2003

By 

James R. Winder - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pilgrim's Progress (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful verison of Pilgrim's Progress. It reads beautifully and while it does not have all of the scriptural references it hits the mark enought o inspire most people. I know many people who have read this one and then gone on to read the original work.

There is also a music CD available with contemporary Christian songs that tie to the story line. ........