David Staines is a distinguished Canadian literary critic and university professor with a profound engagement with both medieval and Canadian culture and literature. His scholarly pursuits focus on the intricate development of Canadian fiction, underscoring his commitment to the nation's literary heritage. As a respected editor and writer, Staines's intellectual contributions significantly shape the Canadian literary landscape. His dedication is further evidenced by his role as a champion for emerging writers and his advocacy for literary excellence.
The first one-volume history of Canadian fiction covering its growth and development from earliest times to the present day. Recounting the struggles and the glories of this burgeoning area of investigation, it explains Canada's literary growth alongside its remarkable history.
"[A]n eminently readable text, done clearly and accurately... it gives as good an idea as a translation can of the complexity and subtlety of Chrétien's originals.... [T]his translation should attract a wide audience of students and Arthurian enthusiasts." Speculum "[A] significant contribution to the field of medieval studies [and] a pleasure to read." Library Journal "These are, above all, stories of courtly love and of knights tested in their devotion to chivalric ideals (with passion and duty often at odds); but they are also thrilling wonder stories of giants, wild men, tame lions, razor-sharp bridges and visits to the Other World." Washington Post Book World "This tastefully produced book will be the standard general translation for many years to come." Choice "... an excellent rendering of the texts... an eminently readable text, done clearly and accurately in an English style that presents few infelicities and that is just slightly more formal than that of Kibler's... it gives as good an idea as a translation can of the complexity and subtlety of Chretien's originals... The text is provided by a translator who understands the spirit as well as the letter of the original and renders it with style... this translation should attract a wide audience of students and Arthurian enthusiasts... " Speculum