Pilgrims 2.0 – A Novel

PILGRIM, Canterbury Cruise Lines' flagship, offers its passengers a luxurious two-week journey and the chance for reinvention through plastic surgery. The novel follows four women, Bianca, Nicole, Lyla, and Annalie, who are eager for transformation. The story is centered around Dr. Walter Heston, a plastic surgeon driven to make the impossible possible. However, the voyage is not smooth sailing, and some of the passengers may not return to the Port of Los Angeles as themselves.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Acre Books

PILGRIM,Canterbury Cruise Lines' magnificent flagship,offers its privileged passengers an extraordinary journey of transformation. This extraordinary adventure is made possible by the visionary plastic surgeon Dr. Walter Heston, the state-of-the-art self-learning artificial intelligence known as BECCA, and an all-male crew of room stewards, deck hands, technicians, and cosmetic practitioners. The adventure begins on the eve of Cruise #52, and it follows four women, each eager for a metamorphosis. Meet Bianca, the aging athlete determined to reclaim her competitive tennis career that motherhood had temporarily sidelined. Meet Nicole, whose mommy makeover will enable her to finally shed her self-imposed concealment, as well as her financial burdens, from her husband. Meet Lyla, an infertile maternity ward nurse yearning to experience the joy of pregnancy, and Annalie, who simply desires to cease seeing her deceased twin in the mirror every time she looks at herself. At the heart of the story lies Dr. Heston himself, driven by the same passion that his late wife, Rebecca, had for computer code—to make the seemingly impossible, a reality.

However, such "excursions" are not without their challenges, particularly on this voyage, where the hopes, histories, and obsessions of clients and crew members intertwine. When a disruptive crewman's pranks escalate into dangerous situations, it becomes evident that not all those who embarked on this journey will return to the Port of Los Angeles in their original form, or even at all. Some may embark on a transformative journey that alters their essence, leaving behind remnants of their former selves. The voyage becomes a testament to the complexities of human identity and the profound impact that plastic surgery can have on one's existence.

As PILGRIM sets sail towards its destination, the passengers find themselves caught in a web of secrets, lies, and unexpected revelations. The captain and his crew, driven by their own desires and motivations, navigate the treacherous waters of the ocean, all while attempting to fulfill the promises made to their clients. The journey becomes a test of their moral compass, as they confront the ethical dilemmas that arise from their work.

In the end, PILGRIM 2.0 emerges as a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, challenging our perceptions of beauty, identity, and the boundaries of what is possible. It is a story of transformation, resilience, and the power of hope, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for rebirth and renewal.

Dimension: 9 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781946724694