The novel is typical of Findley's interest in Jungian psychology; in fact, Carl Jung himself is a major character.

The novel's protagonist is Pilgrim, an immortal who is brought to Jung's clinic in Zürich after his latest suicide attempt.

[1] Pilgrim is the inspiration for a contemporary opera, The Dream Healer, composed by Lloyd Burritt, with libretto by Christopher Allan and Don Mowatt.

The premiere was March 2008 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia.

It featured star mezzo-soprano Judith Forst as Lady Sybil Quartermaine, John Avey as Carl Jung, and Roelof Oostwould as Pilgrim.