Home-School college reading list book club discussion

Based off of popular opinion this will be the first book we read as a group. Now, I did notice this book was not on the reading list but I honestly think it should be it's a classic and is really good.
Like I have mentioned in the top part of this group if you are unable to read the book, or don't want to read the book, that's okay! you can just wait for the next book selection. (:

It's also one of the most read books in the World, at one time second only to the Bible.

I'm keen on reading alongside the group. I've noticed that my edition is of the Middle English, and if anyone wants to read it in the original then and don't mind it being electronic, or those who don't already have a copy, Project Guthenberg provides a free e-version of the book.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/131

Oh wow!! I didn't know, that's really cool that it's one of the most read in the world. (:

(also thanks for the link I was trying to figure out when i'd be going to the library next.)

Yeah, it really took the World by storm!

And no problem. I know how people feel about e-books over proper books though (I myself prefer a physical copy), but thought it'd be worth linking it anyway :)

So will we do it as independent readings and casually get on the discussion thread within the group , or;

As collective reading deciding on 2 or more chapters per session, and then discuss on the thread?

If it's the latter, then I'm ready to read it whenever everyone else is ready to.

Yea I think independent reading is the best because all of our schedules are different and can chime in whenever we want for causal book chat. (:
I will have some questions to post for you guys to answerer once we have finished the book. (we can always change that if you guys don't dig it.)
I would like to have a target end date to (try) to finish the book by tho. Any thoughts or ideas?

That's fine. A set of quiz-type questions, or polls, related to the book might be fun too.

A group-book a month perhaps?

So maybe the target-date is the last week of the month so that we can get in our discussions and thoughts?

Sure. I'll post some discussion questions on the 29th and maybe during that week we can pick out the next book a little bit ahead of time so we can get it at the library/bookstore/other.

Sounds like a plan :)

Sounds good to me

Reading it so far, I can see why it was so popular. There is a lot to take in and relate with.

Yea there definitely is!

Now after reading this, whenever I think of life's up and downs, struggles, battles ect. i just imagine myself on a journey like christian.

That's exactly it. I'm quite surprised at just how accurate it can be with one's journey and struggles. I took the beginning of the pilgrim's journey to be like the infant-stage of our faith, and further on in the reading a more learned and matured faith developed with discussions with Hopeful and Ignorance.

I haven't finished it just yet, though. You read quite fast! :)

Lol, actually I read very slow. This is my second time reading this book.

Ah haha I see. I don't know how some can read 30-50 books a month, they must read like Superman or Wonderwoman...! Well, I didn't know that my book included Part two so now I'm reading that.

I started yesterday and I decided to divide it into sections so when I go to my homeschool day on the 19, I'll be done the day before and have it freshly in my mind still.

Dividing it into sections sounds like a good idea, there is a lot of parables and allegories to take in.

I've finished now, so I was going to ask how everyone else was doing/what their thoughts are so far?

Okay, here are the discussion questions for this book.
(I think five is an adiquate number?)
Hopefully these will spark conversations or make you think! :)

1. What made the setting of this story unique or important? could this story have taken place anywhere?

2. What was your favorite passage/quote?

3. Each character has a name symbolizing who they are/what they are on Christians journey. If you were a character in this book, what would your name be? do you know?

4. Did the book change your opinion or perspective about anything? do you feel differently now than you did before you read it?

5. And did you like this book? why or why not?

1. It felt very real and almost ratable. It was very unique I've never read a story like it, as the setting was the life of this person (Christian) that's going through life.

2. "I must venture. To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life-everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward."

3. Christian maybe? I don't really know

4. I thought it was pretty insightful and interesting how all the different characters were types of people you could meet. And the book honestly made my feel like I should go pray.

5. I did really quite enjoyed my self while reading. Though it was kinda slow in parts, I did like it.

1. The places used are analogies of very real situations where we may find ourselves wandering - in the City of Destruction; in the Slough of Despond; or wavering from the narrow path to the gate. We read through Christian's life, but it could be any one of us in the same shoes.

2. "He of whom we are about to speak is one that has not His fellow. He has two natures in one person, plain in distinction but impossible to divide."

3. I don't know if anyone else thought this, so I may be wrong here, but I feel like Christian along his journey grew up in his faith. Christian A, was desperate, like an infant in faith, from the start and trying with Faithful to learn and stay in the right path; Christian B, with Hopeful, seemed more confident and learned in the faith to talk and educate those on the road. In that way, I'd like to have my goal be as Christian B.

4. I definitely want to read it again, as there is a lot of substance to take on board. Rather than change my mind it probably enhanced it, and seeing how there were manifestations of different, but very real, personalities (like Sloth, Mr. Worldly Gentleman, Pliable, Obstinate, Ignorance, etc.) along Christian's path helps show how dangerous our succumbing to these traits can be in real life. It's set to be a good warning.

5. It went straight to my favourites. I can see why R.C. Sproul once said he had read it 100 times! And why it garnered so much popularity to be one of the most-sold books even today. I also found out that Bunyan wrote it while he was in prison for sixteen years for something he didn't do.

Leon "The Kilted Scotsman"
#3. question

I actually did not notice that! That is a very interesting idea.
I originally thought that he had a previous name that might have changed as he became a christian, but your rendering is a lot more striking. :)

Yeah, I think it was the Vanity Fair and when he was with Hopeless but talking with Talkative that it hit me he seems to have been more confident.

Just to say, I think Part 2 with Christiana and the boys was well done too,

Wait were we supposed to read part 2!?

No I don't think so, it's just in the book I had Part 2 was included. In some publications they include both parts, in others they separate them. Bunyan wrote them separately, so I wouldn't worry about it

oh okay I didn't thankfully. I was confused

I will answers when I have time tomorrow or today probably

Would be good to know your thoughts too :) And Rose's own answers to her questions!

Okay.
I wasn't sure If I should answer my own questions but since you said that I think I'll participate in that from now on. XD

1. I have never read a book in this sort of setting. Each mountain, road, valley and building are a struggle or a blessing for Christian. They reflect his spiritual journey as much as his bodily one and although I do think it could have taken place in any desert/jungle/marsh It would all have the same effect to what dangers lie there. I love how this story is so transparent to the destruction that secretly lies beneath the fog or the waters.

2. "Well, Faithful, thou hast faithfully profest unto thy Lord, with Him thou shalt be blest; When faithless ones, with all their vain delights, Are crying out under hellish plights: Sing, Faithful, Sing and let thy Name survive; for tho' they kill'd thee, thou art yet alive."

3. I suppose If I were a character aiding Christian on his journey looking at the pleasant side of me... I desire and am working hard to be like the character Help. I want to be Helpful and often find myself trying to help others or make myself do so. There's nothing more pleasant than pulling people from their pit of despair by bringing a smile to their face.

4. Not really... This was my second time reading it which was a nice brush up but I remember the main themes pretty well. The only thing from the first time that I can think of is putting myself In Christians shoes and thinking to myself when doing something hard that I was just journeying like Christian.

5. Oh yes, I really like this book. I completely understand why it's a classic. I love the symbolism and how intricate yet simple the writing style is. I feel like it's the biblical version of "The hero's journey."
And how it's still a very time told idea of life's journey and the many paths it can take.

I feel like The Pilgrim's Progress is a timeless classic, it'll never get old because our own relationship with each character, a personified human flaw or trait, will never cease to be.

And I think that's why it may be important to read this as a companion book to the Bible for Sunday-school children perhaps as to grow up with it. We all are on our journey like Christian.

I like that quote too for Faithful, maybe it should go in with our quote-folder

Oh yes I agree! I don't know about you, but sometimes we would act out small skits in my sunday school as to show us what the biblical characters went through. It would be neat if the teachers had the kids carry Christian's burden, or brought in something very heavy to show them the weight of sin.

I'll add that quote too.

1. I believe the setting relates to the world in its present state and what struggles Christian's have faced and will face in the future. it feels sort of like a allegory and parable in a mix together.

2. Though the consciences of such men are awakened, yet their minds are not changed; therefore, when the power of guilt wears away, that which provoked them to be religious ceases, wherefore they naturally turn to their own course again,even as we see the dog that is sick of what he has eaten, so long as his sickness prevails he vomits and casts up all; not that he does this of a free mind (if we may say a dog has a mind), but because it troubles his stomach; but now, when his sickness is over, and so his stomach eased, his desire being not at all alienate from his vomit, he turns him about and licks up all, and so it is true which is written, "The dog is turned to his own vomit again"

- why this is what i chose is that my own dog dose this and it was just a bit ironic to me

3.I think I am the most like Hopefull in a way. I am there for people when there at a hard part in there lives and have some of the same feelings. i believe, :)

4. I don't believe it did change my perspective but reminded me of the Love and Grace of God

5.Yes very much, why? well the same of what I said in number 4 I think.

I'm sure there is a verse that talks about dogs going back to eat their own vomit as well, and it relates to foolish people believing their own words/works? Maybe that's the inspiration for it.