You don’t understand spirituality inside and out by being wide-eyed, innocent and very Much-Afraid.

For those attempting to scale the high and forbidding heights of insight, after taking the Hind at His word and following Him, sheer brute stamina as well as steady, unremitting endurance are mandatory.

All of these traits come together perfectly, for example, in the life of the great Georg Wilhelm Hegel.

But they don’t at all meld in Ms Hurnard’s work. And the rather fey ungroundedness which sustain this work, howbeit flimsily, doesn’t make the final cut of endurance in Faith to one’s end, in real life.

That takes sheer intellectual fortitude...

Now, Hegel was nothing if not strong.

And if you read him, he will show you how to achieve full salvation and keep your two feet planted firmly on level ground - rather than fly off into space with the groundlessness that Ms Hurnard evinces here.

Hegel shows us salvation is primarily the long-lasting fortitude of endurance in our faith.

At the end of his Phenomenology he speaks of the utter crucifixion of the Spirit on the Cross of the Real. That’s telling it it is, though it’s anything but palatable to most people nowadays.

Hegel was continually tormented - and simultaneously challenged to go further - by the anguish of his intuition of Being eternally colliding with the Nothingness within and around him, and, his students tell us, he developed a terrible stammer - his lectures at the end being delivered in a hoarse and barely audible rasp.

Sisyphus carrying his boulder eternally uphill.

And he died an awful death as a victim of the dread disease, Cholera. But he somehow maintained his fervent Lutheran faith to his last gasp.

Hannah Hurnard might have portrayed such a rugged ordeal in her ascent of the peaks, but she can’t - since for her Paradise must be all hearts and flowers. In other words, she fingerpaints. Her fiction lacks the feeling of being LIVED - or being authentically human.

I really enjoyed this book, but the problem is simply that Hurnard probably can’t portray the self-pity of the victimized Much-Afraid ever being conquered through gruelling hard work. Because it probably never was for her.

Hegel did it. Simone Weil and Dorothy Day too. Why can’t she - and we readers as well?

The moral of the story, then, for me, is that the spiritual path takes guts and pain, as well as good intentions.

It’s true that many converts to religion have been bruised and ill-used, and come to the faith in brokenness...

But if we can’t learn to check our self-pity at the gate -

We may quite simply never make it to the golden peak of the Mountain.122 s Shannon1,661

Almost exactly one year ago, a friend read an excerpt of this book to a group of women. In the portion she read, Much-Afraid (the main character) is promised a new name by The Shepherd. I asked what name she was given, but my friend merely smiled and told me I should read the book myself. From that point on, the book has been in my mental queue, but the time was never right. Then last month, someone mentioned the book, heard I hadn't read it and loaned it to me on the spot. There's something to be said for waiting for the right timing in reading a book. I have no doubt this was the right time for me to read this book.

Hinds' Feet on High Places is an allegory. I've found that most allegories, especially Christian ones, are a bit heavy-handed. While that could be said for this book as well, the underlying sweetness of the story more than compensated for it. Hurnard didn't gloss over difficulties in Much-Afraid's journey, which made the entire tale more believable, enjoyable and readable.

Speaking of readability, the book is a quick read, but I found myself deliberately pausing after chapters in order to ponder the truths laid out. One such truth was that our greatest enemies on the path to the high places are internal - pride, resentment, bitterness, self-pity and fear. How often do I sabotage my own efforts for one of these reasons? How often do I let fear stop me from trying? Or pride stop me from taking the first step?

If you're looking for a book with crisp, clean writing, you should look elsewhere. But if you're looking instead for a book that holds a great many truths, waiting to be pondered, internalized and lived out, Hinds' Feet on High Places is a good one to read. No matter where you are on your journey, I suspect you will see yourself in these pages. I know I am Much-Afraid much of the time and this book left me longing to collect stones of remembrance along the way so that I will have the faith and strength to be given a new name - or live up to the one I already have.84 s1 comment Leila442 228

This book is for me a beautifully written allegory that touched me deeply and made me think.a-dipping-into-book-of-wisdom allegories biblical ...more71 s Alice10

When I first started reading this book I thought it would be too simplistic. Even the names of the characters, Much Afraid and her companions Sorrow and Suffering, seemed to scream spoon fed spirituality.

As it turned out, I only had 10 minute chunks to read this book in and it allowed me to time to really chew on the story and how I could relate my own life and experiences to it. It turned out to be a beautiful meditation of God's love for us and our journey to our own high places.

This version has an afterward written by the author that explains how she came to write this book based on her own experiences and journey with God. I didn't find the afterward nearly as compelling as the story, but it was interesting to note her background.

I think this is a book I will read multiple times in my life as I endeavor to develop a closer and closer relationship with God.35 s Allison TeboAuthor 20 books397

One of those childhood books that will forever leave a hand print upon my life. I read this book so many times when I was small, staring at the illustrations, mulling over its words, meditating on their meaning. Ever since I was small, I was quick to recognize analogies and entranced by Biblical allegories. Before Narnia, there was this book, sinking it’s spiritual truths into my heart. The story we have all lived from the beginning of time, until the end of time – the personal journey of a child who is very Much Afraid . . . to draw closer to a Father and King that loves us.

Reminiscent of Pilgrim’s Progress, this is a lovely and timeless book that I would recommend to everyone.
childrens favorites29 s Courtney KleefeldAuthor 6 books47

Mostly finished this book but did not want to force myself to finish reading it. The only thing that would redeem this book for me is if Much-Afraid discovered in the end that the person she thought was the "Good Shepherd" was really the enemy called Legalism the whole time.
Seriously, I wanted to throw this book against my wall a few times.

Let me break this down:
1. He puts a thorn in her heart that will eventually bloom into a flower, and ONLY THEN will she be loved in return. If he had said, "Only then will you be able to /receive/ love" that might have made a little more sense? Because we often put up blocks that keep us from receiving love, it's not that we're not loved already. And it is left vague as to whether she will be loved by the Good Shepherd or by someone else, though I didn't finish the book to find out, but from the beginning it's a little odd that it's not clarified and she just goes with it. It's also odd that it's implied that there is no love inside of her to start with. Obviously if she's been following the Good Shepherd, wouldn't there be love inside of her at this point already?

2. He doesn't even go with her the whole way. He's not with her. He tells her he will be there whenever she calls for him, but that he won't go with her some of the way. This doesn't sound Jesus. "Never will I forsake you. I will be with you to the end of the age." Of course it doesn't always feel he's there, but he always is.

3. He completely invalidates her emotions, laughs whenever she brings up a concern. He doesn't weep with her. It feels the character Joy from the film Inside Out, pretending everything is great when it's not, unwilling to be with others in their suffering. He runs off, doesn't spend a lot of time with her. That is Not Jesus!!! Jesus wept over Lazarus! Even though he was about to raise him from the dead, he was not smug about it. He did not block himself off from feeling grief and compassion. He did not run away from suffering.

4. There is an implication of victim-blaming when early on in the book, people take Much Afraid hostage in her own house and she was supposed to call for help but she was paralyzed with fear and as a result, misses the Good Shepherd as he is passing by--he is apparently unaware of what is happening to her instead of knowing and coming to her aid. And later there is this implication of blame, that she should have called out, instead of there being understanding that she was physically unable to because of terror. This made me so angry. I understand what it's trying to say, that we should pray whenever we're afraid, but this was just done very badly.

5. This is what really started to get me--that "The Good Shepherd" assigns "Sorrow" and "Suffering" as Much Afraid's guides to the High Places. Sorrow and suffering are not guides. Wisdom is a guide. Faith is a guide. Hope is a guide. Love is a guide. Sorrow and Suffering are the paths Jesus took for our sakes to relieve us of our own sorrow and suffering because He LOVED us. Jesus never imposed sorrow or suffering on anyone who came to him in the gospels. He always called people to him who were calling to him and healed them, asked them if they wanted to be healed, he got on their level and was gentle with them. There's enough sorrow and suffering in the world because of sin--Jesus came to relieve us of that sorrow and suffering, not to put it on us! "Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Sometimes we go through times of sorrow and suffering, and Jesus is always with us through them, and there is joy on the other side, but suffering in itself is not of God, it is hard because of the fallen world and the devil who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, while Jesus came to give us life, life more abundantly. The spiritual and physical realms are connected. And Much Afraid is already suffering because of her crippled leg! It just doesn't make sense that her "guides" would be sorrow and suffering.

6. The Shaming. The whole journey to the High Places reminds me of the Hero's Journey myth structure a little bit, but with a crucial difference: The Hero's Journey is usually about a hero who is confident (or reluctant) who goes on a valiant quest to rescue someone or win something, to do something good because he wants to do it. This journey to the High Places feels expectations placed on someone with a disability that invalidates the disability and just expects them to "try harder" and "keep going" and "earn your way to be worthy of love. Once your disability is gone, you'll be loved." Much Afraid has an injured leg at the start of the book, and instead of being loved and cared for where she is, she is expected to go on a painful journey to earn love? This is toxic. Sure, she's getting out of an abusive situation from her home, but this "Good Shepherd" is pretty abusive too. She is made to feel ashamed of her own feelings. She's not even given the excuse of all she's been through. The expectations are incredibly cruel.
This is not Christianity. This is bad religion.

There's some good stuff in it but it also feels so, so messed up and abusive God theology and it messed with me. Typing all of this out felt healing for me. I'm glad I finally put it all into words.
I don't recommend this book. Pilgrim's Progress is better. Go read that one.23 s1 comment Elizabeth Allen102 5

This is not a Christian allegory. It claims to be, but it’s really more Hinduism. So many Christians have recommended this book to me over the years, so I finally read it. I was immediately struck by the fact that the "Shepherd" who represents Jesus makes no sacrifices. He is merely a teacher. He often leaves Much-Afraid alone. Jesus never leaves his . Also, Much-Afraid must work to earn her way to the high places, achieving a higher level Christianity based on her own merit. This is not the grace of the Bible. I did a little research on the author. Apparently Hannah Hunnard believed in reincarnation and strongly defended it in her books. She didn’t believe Jesus was a Redeemer, only a teacher. That explains why Much-Afraid makes all the sacrifices, instead of the Shepherd. She wrote a book called “The School of Earth Experiences” and it says lots of things about how we are reincarnated over and over until we reach a level where we can graduate to eternal life.20 s Lori Keeton530 155

I chose to read this because a friend invited me to join her in a book group of ladies who were reading and discussing chapters over a period of weeks. My extent of Christian allegory reading has been Pilgrim’s Progress and now this book. John Bunyan, when he wrote Christian’s story in 1678, was imprisoned for violating a law that prohibited holding religious services outside of the Church of England. According to Wikipedia, it is one of the most significant works of theological fiction in English literature. I enjoyed it greatly and would recommend anyone to read it and find significant meaning.

Hind’s Feet on High Places was written in 1955 by another English author, Hannah Hurnard, taking its title from Habakkuk 3:19, “The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet hinds’ feet and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” Hurnard was a Quaker who as a youth struggled with her faith. Knowing this, I can see herself in the story of the main character.

This is an allegorical story about a young girl named Much Afraid who journeys from her family, the Fearings, into the high places with the Shepherd. She is guided by Sorrow and Suffering and we see her going through trials that she must work out herself and onward toward maturity. The goal is to show the stages of spiritual growth from unbeliever to young believer to mature believer.

Much Afraid must deal with her Fearing family members, Pride, Bitterness, Resentment, Self Pity, etc as she grows in her faith in following the Shepherd who represents Christ.

While this novel was stylistically similar to Pilgrim’s Progress, it is not as striking or as affecting to me personally. I found the prose a bit flowery or overmuch for my taste. I enjoyed some of the Biblical messages and lessons presented throughout as part of a story but I was stuck on some of the theology that Hurnard presents. She doesn’t seem to believe in salvation by faith in Christ who died for our sins. She focused on suffering and affliction as the way toward self-discovery. None of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is ever mentioned in the book. It is also interesting to note that this was her first book and later in life she veered from her roots of Christianity into more new age ideas including reincarnation.

So for those reasons, I have to put this in a different category altogether than Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
2023-books allegory christian ...more17 s7 comments LadyCalico2,121 49

I didn't read this book until I was on old lady and I saw my own story written in every detail in every page, finding understanding of why God expected me to travel such hard roads during my life as a slow learner. A must-read for every Christian woman, maybe men, too, especially those ( me) whose lives have been compressed, narrowed, and limited by their fears and worries, for those who value security over growth. To paraphrase Beth Moore, we will never find our way to our Promised Land until we are willing to step out of our UR (Usual Routine.)17 s Kathryn19 1 follower

When I hear the phrase "Contemporary Christian Fiction," I snort inwardly, blanch, and avoid eye contact. Why? Because Christians publish books this.
Much-Afraid's pedantic journey to the kingdom of Love was too much for me to endure. After sixty pages of sugary spirituality and stilted attempts at eloquence, I dropped it, feeling victimized and somewhat embarrassed by the religious glurge that had violated my brain. I would blame my extreme distaste for this book on its allegorical nature, but I love Pilgrim's Progress and Animal Farm. Perhaps it was the execution that turned me off.
“When you wear the weed of impatience in your heart instead of the flower Acceptance-with-Joy, you will always find your enemies get an advantage over you.”
Please, stop.
“Up from behind a sand dune close beside her rose the form of her enemy Bitterness. He did not come any nearer, having learned a little more prudence, and was not going to make her call for the Shepherd if he could avoid it, but simply stood and looked at her and laughed and laughed again, the bitterest sound that Much-Afraid had heard in all her life.”
Hmm. Perhaps Hannah Hurnard was an ESL student.

Christian authors should attempt to transcend the Contemporary Christian label, as C.S. Lewis did with his Chronicles of Narnia, and as Andrew Peterson has done with his Wingfeather Saga. Authors in general, should strive towards smooth, well-constructed sentences.
I think I damaged my retinas- one star.books-that-need-to-die12 s Pat the Book Goblin 424 140

In my opinion, Hinds Feet on High Places is much better than Pilgrim's Progress. (GASPS!) Oh, yes! This book is much better. While Pilgrim's Progress focuses on the Christian journey as a whole, this book focuses more on the transformation of self from sinner to saint. The part that I really connected with (more so than the rest of this awesome book) was how Much Afraid held the hands of two black cloaked figures: Sorrow and Suffering. At first, their hands stung and she wanted to scream and get away from them, but eventually she found herself grow stronger. This is my favorite allegory. If you haven't read it, you should!!christianity favorites12 s Angelica66 12

Every girl needs to read this book! And then, every woman needs to read this book! We can all relate to Much Afraid's journey, and we can all be blessed, encouraged, and challenged through it. And who doesn't need to know that The Shepherd is good and loves us and knows what we need?!? Seriously, it's a must read!

read-alouds-to-kids11 s Roxanneandvince Weber16

I know everyone is supposed to love this book, but I found it annoying. Don't tell anyone.11 s Megan85 22

This book is a tricky one to judge.
The overall writing style is very odd...childish almost, in a very prosaic way, and the book is liberally sprinkled with poetry. For literary merit alone, I wouldn't give this book any awards.
The thing that I really did love in parts was the allegory. Some of the metaphoric lessons and concepts were really quite powerful.
As a whole, flowing story, though, there was very little to bring everything together. It's often hard to identify what exactly is taking place allegorically. It also seems that the allegory is frequently "padded" with writing that exists solely for the sake of making a cohesive story (which it doesn't) and doesn't have any allegorical meaning.
Finally, there were a couple of very unbiblical ideas expressed, which I was disappointed by.
I would actually recommend the abridged children's version of this book more highly. Although it has the same issues as the original, it is much more compact and doesn't wander in circles quite so much! (Also has amazing illustrations.)10 s Kells Next Read 551 582

Make haste, Beloved, be thou an hart On mountains spicy sweet; And I, on those High Places where thou art, Will follow on hinds’ feet; As close behind the hart, there leaps the roe, So where thou goest, I will surely go.audio-book christianity classics ...more10 s SarahAuthor 43 books441

This book is so good....there just aren't words.
I hope not to let so many years go by before I reread it again.2019reads best-of-the-best classic ...more8 s Brent91 1 follower

***Updated to correct some details***

It was good. The author was giving a much needed message that the Christian path is often a hard and difficult one. Something I think many modern Americans have forgot as we do live in a blessed age.

I gave it two stars because of two problems I had with the book.
One. The Shepard asks Much-Afraid what would happen if He lied to her. She says that He would never do that. He then again asks what if he did. She then thinks and comes to the conclusion that she would still follow after Him because she desires Him and Him alone and has no where else to go.

Now I think what the author was trying to say is that we really must desire God in the most pure and fierce way that we can. But if the Shepard was lying to Much-Afraid then that would be a clue that he was not really God and she should be desiring someone else. That someone else being Truth.

Two. When much afraid gets to the High Places she has some thoughts on being dogmatic and how we can not really know anything about the High Places because they are so far from the valleys. Now I think that the author meant that we must be careful about saying things that are far from clear are certain. But the way it comes off with the whole there are so many different interpretations of the Book of Books feels a lot deconstructionism.

Interestingly enough, my two problems with the book are also what made it feel dated. The undying devotion to a cause, even if the cause is false, and the deconstructionist view of interpretation were to become popular after the book was published.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full reviewfantasy8 s ladydusk494 231

This is one of those books that I've always thought I "should" read. In that way, I'm glad to have read it. I'm thankful it was a gift from my dear SIL who knew it was on my "list."

Unfortunately, I did not care for it, I didn't the style - I found it trite and cloying. I found it to be less of a description of Christian life than earning salvation along a series of tests. There were good things but overall, I found it kinda meh and am glad to be done.8 s Faith101 33

This is a lovely story in allegorical form of a young woman being brought close to the Saviour. He walks with her and talks with her, and teaches her many things.....allegorical christian-novels my-favourites ...more8 s Will Jones15 1 follower

What a joy it is that we get to take everything that we have learned in the High Places back down to our home in the valleys. This book is incredible. Will definitely look back to this book a lot.8 s Drew Morgan9 5

Even better the second time—giving a fifth star. Immense depth if you’re willing to receive it. This book gives voice to many of the deepest set fears that come with the unpredictable and costly call to follow Jesus but also a picture of why we can trust that it’s all good despite what our limited vantage point may suggest. Few resources provide the encouragement this book does that no sacrifice is too much and that the journey is always worth continuing.

—-

I was initially a little turned off by the directness of the allegory, but this story makes many beautiful points about the unintuitive nature of a journey with Jesus. The journey of transformation that the Good Shepherd is leading us on is not straight and flat but instead long, winding, indirect, and challenging. It requires full reliance on the Shepherd at all times. But while it may not make sense to us in the midst of the journey, it's good, and it's purposeful in changing us into who we were created to be.

Some Favorite Quotes:
"'shepherd, tell me why i nearly got into Pride's clutches again?'...'I think that lately the way seemed a little easier and the sun shone and you came to a place you could rest. you forgot for a while that you were my little handmaiden and were beginning to tell yourself it really was time I led you back to the mountain. When you wear the weed of impatience in your heard, you will always find your enemies get an advantage over you.' said the Shepherd"

"'You mean' she said incredulously "you really mean that I am to follow that path down and down into the wilderness and the over that desert, away from the mountain indefinitely? why? '
'Much Afraid, do you love me enough to accept the postponement and the apparent contradiction of the promise, and to go down there with me into the desert?'...'I do love you, you know that i love you. Oh forgive me because I can't help my tears. I will go down with you into the wilderness, right away from the promise, you really wish it. Even if you cannot tell me why it has to be, I will go with you, for you know I do love you, and you have the right to choose for me anything that you please."

"Much-Afraid looked earnestly. 'I have often wondered about the wild flowers. It does seem strange that such unnumbered multitudes should bloom in the wild places of the earth where perhaps nobody ever sees them...they have so much beauty and sweetness to give and no one on whom to lavish it, nor who will even appreciate it.' The look the Shepherd turned on her was very beautiful. 'Nothing the Father and I have made is ever wasted and the little wild flowers have a wonderful lesson to teach. They offer themselves so sweetly and confidently and willingly, even if it seems that there is no one to appreciate them. Just as though they sang a joyous little song to themselves, that it is so happy to love, even though one is not loved in return. I must tell you a great truth which only the few understand. All the fairest beauties in the human soul, its greatest victories and it most splendid achievements are always those which no one else knows anything about or can only dimly guess at. Every inner response of the human heart to love and evert conquest over self-love is a new flower on the tree of love."7 s Abigail17 53

It was simply providence that inspired this book. It does not cease to be exact. The author knew just what she wanted to portray. She was able to use the tools she acquired to delightfully array a series of unforgettable, eloquent sentences in an artistic, yet factual manner. The dialect is profound, refined and very beautiful, though in certain areas it can be slightly wordy.

The story itself illustrates the beauty of obedience, and the importance of life choices that are produced from the sacrifice of our Lord. The first and most apparent key to this story is that it is undoubtedly a reflective picture of an intimate walk with Jesus Christ, despite trials, hardships, and the most dreaded of them all, fear.

The main character, Much Afraid, embarks on a very noble journey (representing the Christian walk with God before going to Heaven) where she will find that faith is not only the key to the unseen, but a necessity to overcome the things that are seen, such as fear, and the world that so loves to tower above us.

This book is encouraging and the writing is fantastic! These words create an interesting story line, and a God inspired message. It truly proves that Jesus, the redeemer of life, has overcome the grave so that we might overcome sin and live for a higher pledge, under a higher Authority. I would recommend this book to anyone needing to overcome fear and experience perseverance in its place. This book helped me to realize the rewards received when one mirrors the life of Christ to bring Him glory so that we might know, and share truth. ~ Abigail7 s Ian Fletcher33

Second time: much better than the first. Actually read the authors “lessons learned” at the end of the book and loved this piece- “shall the clay vessel on the Lord’s wheel and under his loving, molding hands, think of pain in the last stage of a long, joyous yielding to his patient fashioning? The only thing that matters is that the adjustment of abandonment to selfless love be made perfectly, so that I stop seeking to be loved and abandon myself to the joy of giving love to others”

First time through: My grandma told me she thought this book was for girls when she saw me reading it. Maybe it is. Still I give it 4 stars and highly recommend it, such a great in depth analogy to what it looks for us on our journey to find our relationship with Christ. Really enjoyed it.7 s2 comments Tanner Smith103 12

If I could give this six stars I would.

“... you, my Lord, never regarded me as I actually was, lame and weak and crooked and cowardly. You saw me as I would be when you had done what you promised and had brought me to the High Places… You always treated me with the same love and graciousness as though I were a queen already and not wretched little Much-Afraid.”8 s Madisyn CarlinAuthor 17 books308

This book isn't Christian. Rather, it's steeped in Hinduism. Naturally, because of that, the "theology" is woefully off.bad-theology7 s Eric Wu31 1 follower

This is a very beautiful story! I got a little teary eyed at times ngl.

I loved how Sorrow and Suffering were the two companions that the MC needed to have with her. Makes you think!7 s Micah Dorsey19 2

So beautiful7 s Lovely Day837 129

4.5 ?? for the story itself, but the last portion of the book where the author tells little stories of her life experiences-those were boring and definitely unnecessary. Honestly, I DNFd that last portion because it was so unengaging and kind of took away from the overall reading experience of the allegory.

I would recommend to anyone to stop when the allegory ends!

A quote I : The more love gives, the more it fulfills itselfown top-10-20226 s Chris Tuttle21 1 follower

I dare someone to read this and not cry finding-my-way-as-a-pastor6 s1 comment Emma Hingst97 8

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