Pilgrim - by Timothy Findley (Paperback)

About the Book

The immortal Pilgrim has lived many lives, both as male and female, but becomes despondent. After a failed suicide attempt, he is taken to Carl Jung, who, hungry for a spiritual and intellectual challenge, coaxes Pilgrim to reveal his astonishing life stories. The result is an accessible trip through 4,000 years of history and an engaging cast of characters.

Book Synopsis

On April 17, 1912 -- ironically, only two days after the sinking of the Titanic -- a figure known only as Pilgrim tries to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree. When he is found five hours later, his heart miraculously begins to beat again. Pilgrim, it seems, can never die. Escorted by his beloved friend, Lady Symbol Quartermaine, Pilgrim is admitted to the famous Burgholzu Psychiatrist Clinic In Zurichm, where he will begin a battle of psyche and soul with Carl Jung, the self-professed mystical scientist of the unconscious Slowly, Jung coaxes Pilgrim to tell his astonishing story -- one that seemingly spans 4,000 years and includes such historical figures as Leonardo da Vinci and Henry James. But is Pilgrim delusional? Are these his memories merely dreams...or is his immortal existence truly a miracle.

Review Quotes

"An extraordinary gifted storyteller."-- "Publishers Weekly""Seeing Findley's name on a book's cover immediately sends a signal to readers: here's a story that will be provocative and intriguing, beautifully told, and one-of-a-kind. Findley offers both sheer unputdownable entertainment and intelligent, thoughtful writing." -- "Booklist""Beautiful writing and extraordinary invention."-- "Chicago Tribune""It's rare to find an author in which the moralist and the entertainer cohabit so naturally."-- "New York Times Book Review""Findley spins a fine tale...[his] powers of description are truly extraordinary. Pilgrim is an impressive creation."-- "The Wall Street Journal"What is most appealing about this meganovel is that despite its daunting display of the intellectual evolution of the world through literature, art, politics and history, it remains endlessly enjoyable and never fails to engage the reader. "Pilgrim endlessly rewards the reader with luxuriant prose, complex characters and challenging ideas. It is an adventuresome ride well worth taking."-- "Chicago Tribune"Provocative."-- "Richmond Times-Dispatch"Findley is a thinking person's storyteller."-- "Houston Chronicle"Impressive."-- "Denver Rocky Mountain News""Pilgrim is an entertaining book, as visual as the artists depicted in it."-- "Minneapolis Star Tribune"Soaring...["Pilgrim is] a gorgeously complex novel of ideas and a rousing good read."-- "Ruminator Review