The Pilgrim’s Progress: Amplified Version: James Pappas Re-Releases in ebook format

Feb. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- Dobbins, California  February 24, 2012 -- “Read it again, Daddy.” These words from a 7 year old child were the words that inspired author Jim Pappas to attempt the first serious modification of “The Pilgrim’s Progress” in over 350 years.

Says Pappas, “I tried reading the book to my son in the original language but 3 minutes into it his eyes were drifting and I knew this wasn’t going to work.”

Realizing that he wasn’t going to introduce his son to this masterpiece of English literature  using the original 17th century language, Pappas took a different tack. He modernized and dramatized the allegory as he read and suddenly bedtime blossomed into an eagerly anticipated event. So much so that they continued on to the sequel, “Christiana” at the conclusion of which came those life-changing words, “Read it again, Daddy.”

Sensing that he was on to something valuable, Pappas began the lengthly process of scripting his version of John Bunyan’s timeless masterpiece. The original intent was simply to produce a book on tape for other parents and acquaintances. However, life had different plans. Soon after completion of the script a golden-voiced reader, the late Barbara Morton, was invited to voice the narrator’s part. Then, Kirk Van Buren an accomplished actor from Canada, joined the team to interpret the part of “Christian,” the lead character, One thing lead to another and by the time the project was wrapped, 2 years later, 77 people had added their voices to the mix and created a modernized audio classic in its own right.

The warm reception of The Pilgrim’s Progress audio dramatization led to the production of an eight hour sequel, Christiana, followed by a book version of each. Neither book is a mere simplification of the language. Rather they are modified and expanded versions of the original. So much so in fact that Pappas elected to append to the titles these words; The New Amplified Version, meaning  “To make larger or more powerful; increase.” And indeed, at double the length of the original Part I and virtually triple the length of the original Part II, the result is no mere rewording but rather a creative amplification that enlivens and clarifies the original as no other work has ever dared attempt.

One customer has this to say:
“ Using modern-day terminology, Pappas' Pilgrim's Progress weaves an understandable, incredible journey. Even our five year old is entranced, and all are enriched as we discover and discuss the meanings of the players' and places' names. We keep the original version of Pilgrim's Progress nearby and compare passages at times. Mr. Pappas' rendition of this classic is superb. His amplifications really do enhance the journey of Christian, are not distracting, nor (important to me) do they take away from the original text. This is an heirloom edition, to be sure. We have also very, very much enjoyed the old-world graphics throughout the book as it lends to take us back to the era in which it was staged.”

In addition to The Pilgrim’s Progress: New Amplified Versions Pappas is the author of:
For Such a Time: The Story of Queen Esther, a stage play available on DVD and as an ebook

Mary’s Song, a screenplay available on DVD
and scores of stage plays.
For more information go to Orion's Gate website at www.orionsgate.org

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Orion's Gate produces audio, video and printed materials of a character-building nature. Presently available are books (Pilgrim's Progress Parts I and II) as well as audio dramatizations of the same. Now available in MP3 and all ebook formats. 2 screenplays are available on DVD as well as scores of original plays