The Direction of the Wind: A Novel

Written by Mansi Shah

Narrated by Soneela Nankani

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 truth: 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Feb 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781799784302

Mansi Shah

Mansi Shah is a writer who lives in Los Angeles. She was born in Toronto, Canada, was raised in the midwestern United States, and studied at universities in Australia and England. When she’s not writing, she’s traveling and exploring different cultures near and far, experimenting on a new culinary creation, or trying to improve her tennis game. For more information, visit her online at mansikshah.com.

Reviews for The Direction of the Wind

[mrsmommybooknerd7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

#FirstLine - Sophie Shah presses her slim body against the cold wall that separates her bedroom from her papa’s.This story is one that will linger in your heart. Told from dual perspectives this story captures what it means to love. It captures why people make the tough choices they do and what unintentional consequences come from those choices. It is beautifully written. It gives depth to the characters through past and present tellings of the story I which lends a very comprehensive understanding to those affected. Both heartbreaking and healing the reader will be taken on a journey they will not soon forget!

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully told story of the back and forth in time between a mother and daughter. Lots and lots of the details of their emotions---to the point that the mother's addictions to drinking and drugs was almost overwhelming and sadly, consumed her creative life. Watching her daughter's search for this missing mother and the similarities between the two women were Indian in background but with totally different results. Because this IS a story of relationships in the Indian culture it's probably hard to judge the power of family relationships from the outside. Sophie was lovely in the description of her as well as in her methods of searching for her mother.