by Nathaniel Nathaniel Hawthorne
First published 2019
A traveler boards a modern railroad train bound for the Celestial City, guided by the affable Mr. Smooth-it-away. The iron horse carries passengers along a route that once required walking, hauling their burdens of sin behind in the train cars. Where earlier pilgrims like Christian had struggled on foot through treacherous terrain, this new railway promises an easier path to salvation. The train rushes past landmarks of spiritual significance, including the very spot where Christian's burden fell away at the sight of the Cross. But the traveler notices their burdens remain intact, filled with worldly treasures that passengers prize. As the journey progresses, the convenience of this mechanized pilgrimage begins to reveal troubling truths about shortcuts to redemption. The traveler awakens to discover the entire experience was only a dream, bringing profound relief and a glimmer of hope.
Genres: christian-fiction, american-fiction, 20th-century, 19th-century
Vibes: allegorical, atmospheric, thought-provoking
Tropes: allegory, dream-sequence
Setting: Celestial City
Period: 19th-century
33 pages · Paperback · Independently published