Published between 1975 and 2000 and completed shortly before his death, Hugh Hood's twelve-volume novel-series The New Age/Le nouveau siècle represents a major achievement in Canadian fiction. Hood takes us on a remarkable, though challenging, journey in time and space while chronicling the life of his intellectually inquisitive protagonist, Matt Goderich. Moving from history and politics to literature and the arts, from popular song to the vagaries of fashion, from urban stress to the relaxations of cottage-country, these novels explore the texture of Canadian life with a depth and comprehensiveness that, when fully grasped, are dazzling.

In Canadian Odyssey W.J. Keith steers general readers and specialist students alike through the complexities of Hood's scheme. He presents biographical information about the planning and writing of the series, places it among other examples of "Roman-Fleuve," offers background concerning Hood's literary influences, and provides novel-by-novel discussions of each book. Written in a straightforward style, avoiding jargon and the excesses of literary theory, Canadian Odyssey makes a convincing case for The New Age as a great Canadian masterpiece.

W. J. Keith was born and raised in England. He came to Canada in 1958 where he taught at McMaster (1961-66), then at the University of Toronto (1966-95). Since 1995 he has held the position of Professor Emeritus of English at University College, University of Toronto.

W. J. Keith edited the University of Toronto Quarterly (1976-85), and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1979.

An updated version of Canadian Literature in English was published in 2006.

W.J. Keith's profile page

"It was a pleasure to read Keith's elegant book. The New Age/Le nouveau siècle is so complex and highly individuated a literary work that it does require the accessible introduction that Professor Keith is able and willing to provide. I doubt there's anyone else who has read the series as closely or can bring to it the breadth of background and depth of insight he offers." T.F. Rigelhof, Reflections Program, Dawson College -----
"There is very little written on the series and it is a huge undertaking by a novelist who has been rather undervalued in our country. Hood was put aside as a poseur for comparing himself to Proust and Joyce, and Keith's study goes a long way toward vindicating Hood's claims and pointing out in detail just how the comparisons can be justified. This is a significant contribution to research." John Orange, Modern Languages, King's College, University of Western Ontario