I picked up this book expecting a classic “star-crossed lovers” trope. What I got was a gut-punching exploration of how family can love you and suffocate you at the same time.
Nadira’s husband; though initially loving, he is portrayed as somewhat passive and unable to stand up to Khan.
The climax asks the novel’s ultimate question:
Breaking Ties is not merely a story; it is a sociological document wrapped in fiction. Set against the backdrop of a serene coastal village that straddles the border of Dakshina Kannada and Kerala, the novel introduces readers to a world governed by rigid customs, patriarchal hierarchies, and the rhythm of the Arabian Sea. The title itself is metaphorical, representing the protagonist’s arduous journey to sever the heavy, suffocating ropes of societal expectation to discover her own identity. breaking ties by sara abubakar summary
With Aunty Ifeoma’s support, Nneoma enrolls in a cheaper community college, works night shifts at a bakery, and begins her journey of self-reliance. Abubakar spends beautiful pages describing Nneoma’s rebirth—her small, rented room becomes a symbol of freedom. She makes new friends, discovers her talent for writing, and slowly heals.
Nneoma’s liberation is not just emotional; it is economic. Every time she earns her own money, she loosens Amara’s grip. Abubakar sends a clear message: you cannot break ties with an abuser if you are financially tied to them.
Have you read Breaking Ties? Did you root for Zara to stay or go? Let me know in the comments below. I picked up this book expecting a classic
) dictate that she must first marry another man, consummate the marriage, and then divorce him before she can remarry Rashid. The Tragic End
Shamim, possessing a modern education and a thinking mind, finds herself suffocating. She tries to adapt, to mold herself into the shape society demands, but the disconnect is too vast. Her attempts to communicate her desires for a more partnership-based marriage are met with dismissal. The "ties" here are the invisible threads of duty and expectation that bind her to a life of silent servitude.
The narrative revolves around Shamim, a young, educated, and sensitive woman who becomes the focal point of the conflict between old and new value systems. The climax asks the novel’s ultimate question: Breaking
She leaves the hospital. The novel ends not with a dramatic death, but with Nneoma walking through a bustling city market, buying oranges from a street vendor. She is alone, but not lonely. She is free.
Sara Abubakar’s "Breaking Ties" is more than just a summary of a broken marriage; it is a searing critique of gender inequality. By giving Nadira a voice, Abubakar forces the reader to confront the harsh realities of women who live under the constant threat of arbitrary divorce and the degrading rituals that follow.
Sometimes, Breaking Ties is the Only Way to Breathe – A Review