Pilgrim: A Novel [Paperback]

Timothy Findley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2001

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pilgrim is an entertaining book, as visual as the artists depicted in it." -- -- Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Beautiful writing and extraordinary invention." -- -- Chicago Tribune

"Findley is a thinking person's storyteller." -- -- Houston Chronicle

"Findley spins a fine tale...[his] powers of description are truly extraordinary. Pilgrim is an impressive creation." -- -- The Wall Street Journal

"Impressive." -- -- Denver Rocky Mountain News

"It's rare to find an author in which the moralist and the entertainer cohabit so naturally." -- -- New York Times Book Review

"Provocative." -- -- Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Soaring...[Pilgrim is] a gorgeously complex novel of ideas and a rousing good read." -- -- Ruminator Review

About the Author

Timothy Findley's recent titles include Pilgrim, which was a finalist for the Giller Prize and his first published in the United States; You Went Away; Dust to Dust; and The Piano Man's Daughter. He was also the author of the acclaimed Headhunter, Not Wanted on the Voyage, Famous Last Words, and The Wars. His most recent play, Elizabeth Rex, won the Governor General's Award for Drama. His work has won innumerable honors, including the Governor General's Award for Fiction and the Edgar Award. He was the only three-time recipient of the Canadian Authors Association Award, bestowed for fiction, nonfiction, and drama. He was an Officer of the Order of Canada and, in France, Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He split his time between homes in Stratford, Ontario and the south of France. He died in France in June 2002 at the age of 71.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (January 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060929375
• ISBN-13: 978-0060929374
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #522,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intellectually nimble, August 9, 2001

By 

Louise Nelson (Idaho Falls, ID United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilgrim: A Novel (Paperback)

I found Pilgrim to be a fascinating read. Part history, part psychology, part mystery, Pilgrim leads the reader on a circuitous journey. One needs to be intellectually nimble, to be able to suspend disbelief, and to have either a quick grasp of the wide historical range addressed...or have access to a good encyclopedia.

Pilgrim is a man/woman/spirit/consciousness who has been admitted to a Swiss psychiatric hospital because of his repeated suicide attempts. All attempts, though seeming at first to have succeeded, actually failed, thus "condemning" him, somewhat like Woolf's Orlando, to live forever.

His encounters with famous people throughout history constitute a remarkable chronicle of certain historical periods. His relationship with C.G. Jung, during the years when the latter was developing his theory of the collective unconscious, is particularly intriguing.

I couldn't categorize this book as history, biography, fantasy, psychiatry, psychology, mystery. It defies many of the basic "rules" of any one of these designations and may, therefore, cause some discomfort in a reader who prefers strict logic, easy-to-follow story line, or predictable form. But it's quite a ride for those interested in the exploratory!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spiritually enlivening, February 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Pilgrim: A Novel (Paperback)

This work is entirely different from anything I've ever read. I appreciated the brooding tone of the story and the undercurrent of foreshadowing leading up to its climax. The ending was a little unorthodox and left me with a need for closure, however, I believe Findley does this purposefully as a way to compliment the mysterious and spiritual undertones of the plot. A comfortable, soothing read. Felt as if I were in a reverie, I could almost set it to music.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, March 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Pilgrim: A Novel (Paperback)

Beautifully written and richly imagined, this is a fascinating novel that challenges historical reality and presents psychology and philosophy in a unique way. Interesting portrait of Jung and a cast of wonderfully realized characters. A thoughtful and thought provoking journey through time and the human psyche.