Juan Butler was one of the most strident critics of Canadian society to disengage himself from the general optimism generated by Canada's centennial celebrations of 1967. At a time when most writers outside Quebec were searching for a uniquely Canadian identity, Butler was affirming his individuality--even his isolation--and claiming association with such international movements in art as surrealism and Dada.

Born in London, England, of mixed parentage--his mother was Spanish, his father English--Butler moved to Toronto, Ontario, as a young child. He attended St. Charles Separate School until grade eight and dropped out of De la Salle Collegiate after grade ten. He then began a succession of odd jobs: shoe salesman, warehouse laborer, translator (he was fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese), insurance clerk (also his father's occupation), bartender, and cashier in a socialist bookstore. He also spent time traveling in Europe and Morocco. Most important for his...