Ian Watson is a whimsical writer with a great sense of humour and a deep knowledge of the history of Ontario, particularly at the beginning of the 20th century.
Wheels of Fortune is the story of three middle-aged men who escape the Toronto summer heat by taking a bicycle tour of rural Ontario. The vacation changes their lives as they stake mineral claims for future industry. One finds romance, another finds his long lost brother and the third becomes a man of action.