Pilgrimage

novel by Richardson

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Article History

Pilgrimage, sequence novel by Dorothy M. Richardson, comprising 13 chapter-novels, 11 of which were published separately: Pointed Roofs (1915), Backwater (1916), Honeycomb (1917), The Tunnel (1919), Interim (1919), Deadlock (1921), Revolving Lights (1923), The Trap (1925), Oberland (1927), Dawn’s Left Hand (1931), and Clear Horizon (1935). Dimple Hill, the 12th “chapter,” appeared in 1938 in a four-volume omnibus under the collective title Pilgrimage. A decade after Richardson’s death in 1957, Pilgrimage was again released in four volumes, this time including an as-yet unpublished 13th “chapter,” March Moonlight. The autobiographical work is noted for its pioneering use of stream of consciousness.

Although it does not proceed chronologically, Pilgrimage traces the development of Miriam Henderson over a period of 18 years, during which she works as a teacher and as a governess, becomes a dental assistant, joins a socialist organization, and studies the lives of Quakers.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.