Charting a literary tradition in Canadian national culture, this work gives readers a convincing account of the evolution of a genre too often relegated to the sidelines. For a century and a half, Canadian novelists have used the history of their country as material for their works. Awarded scant attention in literary chronicles, the genre of historical fiction has provided an enduring means of literary expression for many important Canadian novelists. It has also attracted the attention of a number of lesser writers, and achievements both great and small are discussed in this pointed survey. Based upon wide reading, the essay deals with novels written in both official languages.

Dennis Duffy is a professor emeritus of English and was a principal of Innis College at the University of Toronto.

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“Is there a tradition of the great historical novel in Canadian literature? This is the question posed by University of Toronto professor Dennis Duffy in this enlightening and eloquently written essay.”  —Toronto Globe and Mail