Mazo de la Roche, born Mazo Louise Roche, was a renowned Canadian author, famous for her best-selling literature and fiction novels, particularly the Whiteoaks of Jalna Saga. The saga, which debuted in 1927 with "Jalna," concluded with "Morning At Jalna" in 1960. De la Roche was an only child, born to Alberta Roche, the great-great-niece of David Wilson, and William Roche, a salesman.
The Jalna series, consisting of sixteen novels, is one of the most popular series of books of her time. The series tells the story of the Canadian Whiteoak family from 1854 to 1954, offering an independent story in each novel. The Whiteoak family's world is filled with life's transience, where people experience success, failure, and death. However, the family finds solace and a sense of permanence in their manor house and its rich surrounding farmland, known as "Jalna." De la Roche drew inspiration for the family's names from gravestones in Ontario's New Market cemetery, and the story itself balances between fact and fiction. Critics believe that events in the novels reflect the author's dreams, moods, and life experiences.
De la Roche's own life story may have influenced her writing, particularly her experiences growing up as the daughter of a traveling businessman. She may have seen the Jalna estate as the roots she never had, while the character Finch, from Finch's Fortune, is thought to be a reflection of herself. De la Roche's ability to create a compelling family saga that spans over a century has cemented her place as one of Canada's most beloved authors.