I do not think that you can put this book in the same league as those of John Bunyan, C.S. Lewis and George MacDonald but it is a similar genre. Some would call it fantasy and allegory but possibly a better word would be parable, in fact a series of parables woven into a very good story. This is written by a teaching pastor who uses story a great deal in his ministry, he is also a screen writer and actor. The two kingdoms are a Higher one over which the Great King and his son the Prince reign. Solid foundations are to be found in this kingdom and the marks of eternal life are present also whereas in the Lower Kingdom a wicked ruler holds sway over a dying land where darkness spreads. Children of the Great King are sent into this lower realm, they dwell there and build tree houses, these are parabolic representations of churches and perhaps, one of the central themes of this book is the condition into which some of these had fallen and how twelve children of the Great King are sent on a special mission when the Evil Ruler of the lower kingdom develops his plan to tear down the tree houses, he intends to destroy them completely and consign his whole realm to total blackness. There are many elements that yield some good lessons in this book. For instance, when the Prince, the Son of the Great King sends his young companions into the lower kingdom he furnishes each of them with a gift, a coat of humility is given to one, a ring of vision to another, a locket of hope to another and even an apron of hospitality to another. A parable of the churches, a parable of mission, but perhaps the greatest feature of the book is the allegory of the river. Doubtless this river represents the Holy Spirit, the waters are warm, they bear the young missioners along bringing healing, refreshment, cleansing and renewal and when fully released toward the end of the story they destroy the wicked fires of the dark realm. Earlier in the book the river is referred to as ‘she’, we know that the Holy Spirit is not female, but this author seems to feel that it is acceptable in allegory to speak of the Spirit in this way. Despite this literary liberty the emphasis on the Spirit of God in this book is a necessary one, handled very well and worth pondering on. So, if you are looking for another Pilgrims Progress you might be disappointed, but if you are looking for a very useful book to read with your children that will prompt good discussion in the things of the Lord and His gospel and the church this is worth getting.
