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  • The Pilgrim's Regress

  • By: C. S. Lewis
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (102 ratings)

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The Pilgrim's Regress

By: C. S. Lewis
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

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.

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©1933 Clive Staples Lewis (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks
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What listeners say about The Pilgrim's Regress

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Thought provoking and insightful

Although written in the 30's, this book stands the test of time. It is cleverly penned in the fashion of The Pilgrim's Progress, partly autobiographical in that it describes Lewis' journey to faith through various empty philosophies.
I was impressed at how many convincing voices the narrator was able to produce. Very easy to listen to and follow.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not that fitting for todays society.

Has C. S. Lewis write in the ending. The story follow the path, which he took and thought others would follow, to christianity, but few walks that path.
Good book, but not on spot with pur time

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Worth listening to, the "afterward" is necessary

I found this generally uncomfortable and disturbing - I think that is a good thing. Beyond that I found that the "afterward" by CSL was helpful in interpretation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent choice.

Brilliant and captivating reading of this essential book. I didn't want to stop listening. Highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing book

This book was an unexpected jewel. I had not really heard of it before, but was very pleasantly surprised and would rate it as one of my top 20 all time favorites.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a corker of a book!

Lewis at his allegorical best. A real joy to listen to, which has left lots to ponder on.

I particularly enjoyed the Mother Kirk character. She would have been a valuable inclusion in another book about a Pilgrim that was written some years before this one...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Enjoyable story, truly in the style of Lewis. Narration is particularly good by Simon Vance.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A difficult one to assess!

This was, I recall, Lewis’ first attempt after his reluctant conversion to express his story and reasons. It is astonishingly imaginative, a modern retelling in a way of Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. But it is dated in many of its references and often extremely wordy. It is not generally considered a literary success, and I suppose its main interest lies in its role in understanding Lewis. If you are already a convinced and knowledgeable Christian then it might also have a powerful attraction for you. But what really redeems this audiobook is the wonderful reading by Simon Vance. There is plenty of scope here for a lively reading and SV does it proud. So on that basis, this is very much recommended. It is fun - and who knows? You might learn something!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Solid as ever.

Lewis is never far off with his apologetics.
Seems he's not half bad at allegory to boot.
Another solid work from him, narrated well too.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Fascinating.... but not an easy listen

I don't think this has aged as well as most of Lewis' books. The reader does a great job and it's never less then fascinating, but at several times the many alagories feel a little to obscure to modern ears. We are no doubt worse educated in classics now then the average reader in the 1930's, leaving a modern listener at a massive disadvantage when it comes to disciphering what the many meaning ladden classical names and images represent. Or maybe the Oxford don in Lewis got a little carried away here, I found it hard to tell. This is a very interesting book but I can't really recommend it to anyone but Lewis fans and greek geeks.

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7 people found this helpful