The Direction of the Wind

by Mansi Shah

3 out of 5

Synopsis

A heartfelt story that spans continents and generations, about a young woman who searches for answers about a mother she barely remembers. Sophie Shah was six when she learned her mother, Nita, had died. For twenty-two years, she shouldered the burden of that loss. But when her father passes away, Sophie discovers a cache of hidden letters revealing a shattering her mother didn’t die. She left . Nita Shah had everything most women dreamed of in her hometown of Ahmedabad, India—a loving husband, a doting daughter, financial security—but in her heart, she felt like she was living a lie. Fueled by her creative ambitions, Nita moved to Paris, the artists’ capital of the world—even though it meant leaving her family behind. But once in Paris, Nita’s decision and its consequences would haunt her in ways she never expected. Now that Sophie knows the truth, she’s determined to find the mother who abandoned her. Sophie jets off to Paris, even though the impulsive trip may risk her impending arranged marriage. In the City of Light, she chases lead after lead that help her piece together a startling portrait of her mother. Though Sophie goes to Paris to find Nita, she may just also discover parts of herself she never knew.

Review

Sophie always thought her mother died when she was young - when her father passes away she discovers the truth - Nita abandoned them for a life in Paris.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

The narrative is split between Now (Sophie) and 20 years ago (Nita).

Nita has always dreamt of being an artist in Paris, but growing up in Ahmedabad, there were certain expectations - that she would marry he man her family picked, and raise children. An obedient daughter, Nita does as she's told, and tries to bury her dreams, until it all becomes too much and she flees to Paris.

Sophie hasn't led the most conventional of lives. As far as she is aware, her mother died when she was young. Her father doted on her, and never pushed her to get married - being single at 28 is very unusual for their class in Ahmedabad. She also worked - doing accounts for her father.

When Sophie loses her father, she also learns that her mother abandoned them, and everything she thought she knew was wrong.

Sophie sets out to go to Paris, to try and track down her mother, and find out the truth.

I'm split on this book.

With Nita's story - it does such a good job at making you understand how a woman could leave her young child and doting husband. Not enough to completely forgive her, or make it OK; but to understand why she did what she did. Which I think showed really powerful writing and characterisation.

Then... this trapped woman who flees half-way across the world to finally achieve her dreams... loses all agency. I get that her life was sheltered, and doesn't know how to be independent; but she spends the whole book drifting wherever the wind blows her, letting men run her entire life again.

I know there's something darker behind some of her bad decisions, but I was disappointed in most of her story.

Sophie's story is stronger all round. She's the opposite of Nita - she had a relatively large amount of freedom growing up, and she has no problem getting married to the man her aunts have picked for her. She doesn't want to run away to Paris - she only goes to try and find her mother. But whilst she's searching for old signs of Nita, Sophie realises how sheltered her life has been. Her time in Paris isn't easy, but Sophie find that she's not entirely useless, and she quite likes the independence.

I really liked how her story finished, you felt that Sophie was stronger because of her time in Paris. She's clearer on what she wants, and she manages to weave together what she wants from a traditional life and a modern one.

I felt that the overall plots of the book were very uneven.

It was lovely and unhurried in the beginning, exploring the anguish of these two different women and how if affects them. It takes the time to look into each character, as they have to deal with little daily challenges that we take for granted.

Nothing is rushed in the progression of the characters.

Then it got to about 80%, and I was wondering how it would all wrap up, as it felt like there was no resolution. The last 20% had everything thrown in, new characters, new tragedies, happy ever afters... It was a disappointing rush after the steady pace preceding it.

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