THE DEADLOCK. By V. V. Vieressaev. (Faber and Gayer. 7s.
6d.)—The Deadlock is a singularly apt title for a book which describes the hopelessly helpless conflict between Reds and Whites in the Russia of a few years ago. The opposing forces struggle like rats caught in the same trap and doomed to be slaughtered before morning. Resentin, their bondage, they turn relentlessly upon one another each is suffering : so each must suffer more. Through tl medium of a Russian girl, Katia, Dr. Vieressaev, who himself lived under both Red and White rule, describes t conflict quite dispassionately. Katia's own family is divid —her sister is a Red and so is her cousin. Yet in spite o this, her peace-loving father is dragged from his home an her mother is murdered horribly. Katia shrugs her shoulders " Suddenly it struck her how funny it all was . . . here r this cavern small beetles were swimming round. She a like one of these insects. . . . Sometime or other the shoe would reach the bottom of the sea. The beetles would to over on their backs, cross their legs in astonishment and die.' That is 'the Russian spirit, interpreted by Dr. Vieressaer.
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