The Collingwood Series is Canadian historical fiction at its best…Readers are in for an extraordinary read that blends a coming-of-age experience with a window into Canadian culture, race relations of the 1950s, romance, and a young immigrant’s ability to persevere against all odds. - Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review
During the 1950s, 14-year-old Tao Wen Shun, the trustworthy son of an educated Chinese family, flees China, leaving his home and family behind - but what awaits him in Canada?
Wen Shun must persevere amid unexpected new hardships in this compelling novel inspired by true events. Book one in a series that takes readers on an epic journey into the historical past of two nations divided by culture and continents.
Fans of All the Light We Cannot See, The Nightingale, and Unbroken will enjoy this riveting saga of history, suspense, and love.
What readers are saying…
This book is beautifully written. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy mysteries, adventure stories, and a contrast between cultures. Goodreads
Fillis transports you back in time in a way that makes you believe you are really there. I enjoyed this book so much. Goodreads review
It’s an exciting read that is based on actual events and will have the reader eagerly anticipating the next novel in the series. Goodreads
A wonderful story filled with emotion and the struggle to survive by taking one step at a time.
An extremely intriguing story. I did not want to put this book down and I did not want it to end. The author brought all his amazing characters to life. Goodreads
This was an eye opener from the beginning. I loved the story from the first chapter, a page turner.
A fast moving and thought provoking historical novel. Goodreads
This book opened my eyes to the plight of human trafficking victims from China in the 1950’s and I was as equally captivated by the cast of memorable characters as I was by the historical context. Goodreads
George Fillis’ themes in the book are still remarkably familiar in today’s world - racism, discrimination, trafficking and made a wonderful book club discussion. A great read. Goodreads
I just couldn’t put these books down. I had to let you know how deeply this story has touched me. So many themes that resonate for people like me, who came to the US and had to fight harder than anyone else just to be ‘equal’ to everyone else. Thank you for bringing these stories to us, and for making them so alive, genuine, and beautifully put together. I laughed and cried. You touched my heart.
Author’s Note: the Collingwood Series should be read in chronological order and not as individual stand-alone titles because of the background of events, characters, and storylines in A Heart to Survive.
