Into the Pilgrimverse: the gist

My book is a theological exploration of various 'regions' of reception of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, the overall geography of those regions being named the 'Pilgrimverse.' My coverage skews modern and is mostly on the English speaking-world. Each chapter begins with a framing Bible verse and then includes a survey of the material pertinent to the chapter theme and closes with a biblical-theological reflection. I then give a few suggestions of further reading and list the products that featured prominently in the chapter.

Into the Pilgrimverse front book cover and spine

My chapters, following an explanation and introduction, explore, first, the ways in which the work has been packaged and received as a book of varied status through it's nearly 350 year history: from a relatively cheap book with no extra covers, to a prestige heirloom volume with multiple illustrations by elite artists, adorned with learned commentary, and attaining a place among the classics.

Secondly, chapter 3 dives into its illustration in the contemporary form of graphic novels, and American, Korean, and even a Chinese edition feature prominently. Next, chapter 4 considers the book's place in church discipleship and missionary ministry. Chapter 5 looks at how The Pilgrim's Progress is received in the setting of the home among families. This chapter discovers guidance based on TPP for marriages, and parenting, and family entertainment such as an array of board and card games.

Chapters 6 and 7, in turn, examine musical and visual tributes to the book, and Chapter 9 considers, at the margins of the Pilgrimverse, the range of adaptations and revisions that arise when reception is not seeking to confidently commend Bunyan's theology to a present generation but rather to update, refute, and correct it (or that of his dominant interpreters).

Next post, I'll explain my eventual chosen method of written presentation, which is a little unconventional for an academic book.