From Then into Now is an original and illuminating study of William Kennedy's cycle of "Albany, N.Y." novels which focuses on the historical and archetypical contexts of the works. These novels are structured by the heroic quest of a character or characters into the past in order to resurrect, redeem, and purify that past. Critics have found here echoes of Faulkner, Marquez. Carver, and Joyce - all the while acknowledging Kennedy's unique voice in shaping a room all his own in American letters.