The Pilgrim’s Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity, Reason, and Romanticism by C. S. Lewis; Unabridged MP3 Audio Book; Narrator Simon Vance

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’ 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.

"The allegorical characters are not just abstractions. They are, in every instance, people objectively real and subjectively true to the inner meaning. The language throughout is plain, straightforward, and leanly significant. To many it will seem like a fresh wind blowing across acrid waters."—New York Times

“Every bit as effective as its predecessor…Eloquent, erudite, and often witty, this tale is superbly narrated by Simon Vance. No stranger to the writings of Lewis, Vance has a well-modulated voice that easily portrays the numerous characters and gives the narrative sections a steady and consistent tempo.”—Library Journal

C. S. Lewis (1898–1963), born Clive Staples Lewis in Belfast, Northern Ireland, was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. His major contributions in literary criticism, children’s literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. He wrote more than thirty books, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include The Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.

Simon Vance, a former BBC Radio presenter and newsreader, is a full-time actor who has appeared on both stage and television. He has recorded over four hundred audiobooks and has earned over twenty Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, including one for his narration of Theft by Peter Carey. A twelve-time Audie finalist, Simon has won three Audie Awards, including one for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, and the 2008 Booklist Voice of Choice Award. He has also been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009.