John Bunyan
John Bunyan (1628-1688) was an English writer and preacher, author of The Pilgrim's Progress, one of the most famous and widely read works in the English language and one of the most influential Christian books ever written. For centuries it was, after the Bible, the most common book in English-speaking homes.
The Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory of the Christian life, following its hero Christian on a perilous journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, past dangers with names like the Slough of Despond, Vanity Fair, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Its vivid characters and places have entered the language itself.
Bunyan, a poor tinker turned preacher, wrote much of the book while imprisoned for twelve years for preaching without a licence. His simple, powerful storytelling made profound spiritual ideas accessible to ordinary readers.
Our editions present this classic clearly for modern readers. Read the opening free, and read or listen with a membership.
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Frequently asked questions about John Bunyan
What did John Bunyan write?
Bunyan is famous above all for The Pilgrim's Progress. He also wrote the spiritual autobiography Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, and The Holy War, along with many sermons and religious works. The Pilgrim's Progress is his masterpiece and one of the most read books in the language.
What is The Pilgrim's Progress about?
It is an allegory of the Christian journey, following a man named Christian who flees the City of Destruction and travels toward the Celestial City, facing trials and temptations along the way. He passes through vividly named places — the Slough of Despond, Vanity Fair, the Valley of the Shadow of Death — and meets characters who embody virtues and vices. It dramatises the struggles of faith in a simple, unforgettable story.
Where should I start with Bunyan?
The Pilgrim's Progress is his essential work and the natural place to begin. Its adventure-like structure, with Christian facing one danger after another, makes it surprisingly gripping. If you'd like more, Grace Abounding tells Bunyan's own spiritual story. Start with The Pilgrim's Progress.
Why is The Pilgrim's Progress so important?
For more than two centuries it was, after the Bible, the most widely read book in English, translated into over two hundred languages and cherished across the Protestant world. Its vivid allegory shaped Christian imagination and English literature, and phrases and characters from it — like 'Vanity Fair' — entered everyday language. It remains a foundational work of religious literature.
Did Bunyan write it in prison?
Yes — Bunyan spent about twelve years in prison for preaching without official permission, and he began writing The Pilgrim's Progress during his confinement. That a poor, largely self-taught tinker produced one of the most enduring books in the language from a jail cell is part of its remarkable story.
When did John Bunyan live?
Bunyan lived from 1628 to 1688, through the English Civil War and its turbulent aftermath. He published the first part of The Pilgrim's Progress in 1678 and the second in 1684. A Nonconformist preacher, he was imprisoned for his beliefs but became one of the most beloved religious writers in history.
Where can I read The Pilgrim's Progress for free?
Bunyan's works are in the public domain and freely available. The original 17th-century text can be dense. Here you can read the opening free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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