Deadlock is the sixth “chapter volume” of Dorothy M. Richardson’s pioneering semi-autobiographical series, Pilgrimage .

Michael Shatov, a young Russian intellectual exploring England, arrives at the boarding house that has long hosted series protagonist Miriam Henderson. He engages Miriam as a tutor of English, and the two quickly recognize each other as kindred spirits, talking late into the night about philosophy and literature. Michael pushes Miriam to translate French works, a major step on her journey to becoming a writer.