A review by aroseshaw
The Direction of the Wind by Mansi Shah

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“The direction of the wind cannot be changed, but we can change the direction of our sails.”

Sophie has grown up in Ahmedabad, India with her father, who becomes her whole world after her mother, Nita, dies when she is six. Now 28, she’s agreed to an arranged marriage brokered by her aunties after the unexpected death of her father. While going through his things, Sophie finds letters written by her mother, years after her supposed death. Nita, feeling trapped in her marriage and motherhood, leaves her family and the privileges of upper class life to pursue her art, and herself, in Paris. Now, Sophie leaves her home for the first time to look for the mother who abandoned her.

This is the type of emotional read I love. Different cultures, a strong sense of place, great characters, plus a bit of mystery and drama makes this a book you just fall into. The book is written from both Sophie and Nita’s POV in two timelines. At first I didn’t think I’d like the story because I cannot imagine leaving my children, but I could empathize with Nita’s feelings of inadequacy and as being seen as only part of herself. I felt the story hit a slow patch in the middle but I just had to know what happened. This book is both heartbreaking and full of hope.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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