In the April 1988 issue of Books in Canada Terence M. Green told fellow Canadian science-fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer that most science fiction "is just outrageous fairy tales for adults. But I've always thought the genre could produce literature. This may sound presumptuous, but I'd like to think I could help elevate it to that level." After years of struggle, by the late 1990s Green's work was widely acclaimed not only within the science-fiction genre but also increasingly by mainstream readers and critics.

In the chancy market that is Canadian science-fiction publishing, Green's writing career has had its share of peaks and valleys. As is common in the field, he began by writing short stories. They were acclaimed by readers and critics alike, who praised his quiet, deft style and his careful examination of fragile human relationships. But his stories were often published in obscure markets and could...