By
Hannah Hurnard, American edition (C)
1975. An
allegorical fiction of a woman, "
Much-Afraid", in her journey to follow the call of
The Shepherd from her home in
the Valley of Humiliation to
the Kingdom of Love. Much-Afraid is the allegorical "Everyman", accompanied by guides
Sorrow and
Suffering. Throughout her journey, her relatives (
Self-Pity,
Craven Fear,
Pride, et al.) attempt to dissuade her from her goal.
The title, and much of the symbolism, derives from verse 19 of
Habakkuk 3:
"The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hind's feet, and he will make me walk upon mine high places." The story is liberally sprinkled throughout with Biblical verse (mostly
Canticles) and scenery reminiscent of
C.S. Lewis's
The Great Divorce.