Of Wind and Dust: A Novel

by Shirin Yim Leos, Shirin Yim Bridges

A sweeping, multigenerational novel about three women married to the same man at the same time, stretching from rural China to an emerging, mid-nineteenth century Seattle. An unforgettable story of striving, sacrifice, love, and loyalty inspired by the author’s own family history.

Three women--one born married, one born enslaved, one born free—brought together by one man.

Betrothed at birth, Yook Lan enters the Chun House as a teenager to become the household's Great Wife--only to be left behind by a husband who must journey across the world to ensure the survival of his family.

Forced to sleep on the floor of a storeroom, gambled away, and ransomed into the Chun household, Guai Fong finds herself cared for but isolated, as neither servant nor daughter.

Mary has only ever known the silver waters and green trees of Puget Sound. But her life is forever changed when she falls in love with a stranger who has come to America to make his fortune, but who must return to China to secure his legacy.

The abandoned first wife, the ransomed slave, and the displaced young woman become inextricably linked, their happiness and purpose connected to one man, one household. Through decades, across oceans, and painting a vivid portrait of three women as they struggle against history’s constraints, Of Wind and Dust is an unforgettable, intricately crafted debut about loss, desire, and belonging.

Genres: Historical Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 23, 2027

About the author

This author also writes under: Shirin Yim Bridges

Reviews

[Janet]

The perfect read! From China to Gold Mountain, Of Wind and Dust follows the destinies of three exceptional women, each of whom will steal your heart. With achingly beautiful prose, this page-turner delves into eternal questions: Is love holding tightly or letting go? Is it best to follow tradition or our hearts? Stay with certainty or risk it all? This remarkable meditation on family, ambition, and sacrifice will appeal to readers who long to discover hidden chapters of history. If you enjoy historical fiction based on real people, this one is for you. The author's note is fascinating.

[Dorothy]

This is an extraordinary story told from the point of view of three women, all married to the same man at the same time. Much of the story takes place in China but the birth of the city of Seattle also figures prominently. It’s the tiniest details that make the setting and characters come alive. Each one is so precisely written and carefully crafted that you experience the same sensation as Wife 1 as her breath catches when she learns her husband is leaving on a long and dangerous journey. You feel the droplets of cool water as the Seattle sound splashes off the paddle of Wife 2. Or the small of fear fills your nostrils as wife 3 is tossed at the feet of the family patriarch with a demand for ransom. All three are loved by their husband in his way, and none of them in the way they wish to be loved. It’s the heartbreak at the end that broke my own heart as I finished the last page. Yes, tears were shed. Beautifully and powerfully written, you don’t have to be a fan of historical fiction to fall in love with this book.

I received an author review copy and this review was not paid for..

[Hannah “Hanny” “Hannie” Kim Kimmie]

Oh whoa.