This book investigates how irony functions as a defining, structural element within the landscape of contemporary Canadian literature and visual arts. Linda Hutcheon, a scholar noted for her work on postmodernism and irony, utilizes a framework of cultural duality to analyze how Canadian artists navigate identity, history, and politics. By examining specific creative outputs, she argues that irony serves as a critical tool for addressing colonial legacies and social power dynamics.

Scholars and critics recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the nuances of Canadian postmodernism. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous framework for interpreting complex cultural artifacts.