The story unflinchingly portrays how family love can mutate into control. Hajia’s love is conditional, based on obedience rather than genuine care. Abubakar challenges the cultural axiom that "mother knows best" and that blood ties must never be broken.
The novel begins on the morning of Emma and Liam’s fifth wedding anniversary. Emma has planned a romantic dinner, hoping to rekindle the passion that has fizzled into routine. She prepares his favorite meal, wears the dress he complimented years ago, and lights candles.
Liam arrives home two hours late, barely acknowledges the setup, and critiques the wine choice. When Emma gently expresses hurt, Liam responds with a cold, logical dismantling of her feelings: “You’re being dramatic. I had work. You don’t work, so you don’t understand pressure.”
This exchange sets the tone. Emma begins mentally cataloging these moments—a practice she learned from a self-help blog. She realizes these are not isolated incidents but a pattern.
The turning point of Act One is the discovery of the ledger. While looking for a stapler, Emma opens what she thinks is a law journal. Instead, she finds page after page of Liam’s notes:
Shaken, she confronts Liam. He does not apologize. Instead, he gaslights her: “You invaded my privacy. This is my personal journal for organizing my thoughts. You’re twisting it.”
Emma seeks refuge at Ivy’s apartment. Ivy is horrified and urges Emma to leave immediately. But Emma, conditioned to doubt herself, returns home the next day.
"Breaking Ties" is a work of contemporary fiction that falls squarely within the genre of women's literature and domestic drama. Sara Abubakar constructs a narrative that is both intimate and universally relatable. The story revolves around the life of its protagonist, Zainab, a young woman caught in the suffocating web of familial expectation, toxic relationships, and societal pressure.
The title itself is a powerful metaphor. "Breaking Ties" refers not just to cutting physical cords with people, but also to severing the psychological, emotional, and even financial bonds that keep an individual tethered to a life of quiet desperation. The story is a bildungsroman—a coming-of-age tale—but one that focuses on emotional maturity rather than simply physical aging. breaking ties by sara abubakar summary
At its core, Breaking Ties is the story of Liam and Emma, a couple whose seemingly perfect marriage hides a foundation of secrets, manipulation, and emotional neglect. The title itself is a double entendre: it refers both to the severing of familial bonds and the dissolution of a marital contract.
The novel opens in medias res—not with a wedding, but with the quiet, suffocating disintegration of a home. Emma, the protagonist, is introduced as a woman who has given up her career, her dreams, and her individual identity to become the perfect wife for Liam, a successful but emotionally absent husband. Liam is portrayed not as a villain in the traditional sense, but as a man trapped by his own upbringing—a man who confuses control for love.
The "breaking ties" begins when Emma discovers a hidden ledger in Liam’s study. It is not a ledger of finances, but a journal of "obligations"—a detailed list of everything Liam believes Emma owes him: from social appearances to specific behaviors in private. This chilling discovery marks the point of no return.
Breaking Ties has become a sensation in online reading communities (e.g., Wattpad, Goodreads) because it gives language to an experience millions of readers recognize but could not name. Reader reviews frequently mention feeling “seen” and “validated.” Many have written that the novel inspired them to leave their own toxic relationships or seek therapy.
Sara Abubakar’s prose is accessible yet poignant. She avoids melodrama, relying on stark, realistic dialogue and quiet, devastating observations. For example: “She realized she had been starving for years, but had forgotten what hunger felt like.”
"Breaking Ties" by Sara Abubakar is a poignant short story (and often studied as a piece of narrative prose) that explores the complex dynamics of family loyalty, cultural expectations, and the painful necessity of severing toxic relationships. While Sara Abubakar is not a globally mainstream author, her work—often discussed in literary circles and academic settings—focuses on the emotional landscapes of individuals caught between tradition and self-preservation. "Breaking Ties" serves as a powerful case study in how familial bonds, which are supposed to be sources of love and support, can become instruments of control and emotional suffocation.
The story centers on the protagonist’s journey toward emotional liberation, examining the cost of breaking away from a domineering family member—typically a parent or guardian—in order to reclaim one’s identity and mental well-being.
Breaking Ties (originally titled Chandragiri Theeradalli in Kannada) by Sara Abubakar The story unflinchingly portrays how family love can
is a feminist novel that critiques patriarchal norms and religious laws within the Muslim community of coastal Karnataka and Kerala. Plot Summary The story follows , a young Muslim girl living in a conservative society. Early Marriage : Nadira is married to
at the age of fourteen. Initially, their marriage is happy, and they have a child together. The Conflict : The relationship is disrupted by Nadira's father, Muhammad Khan
, a villainous and controlling figure. When Rashid is unable to provide money for Khan's second daughter's wedding, Khan forcefully takes Nadira back to his house. The Divorce
: Through manipulation and influence, Khan tricks Rashid into uttering
(divorce), falsely telling him that Nadira no longer wants to live with him. The Re-marriage Hurdle
: Later, when Rashid and Nadira wish to reconcile, they are confronted with the religious practice of Nikah Halala
. According to local interpretations of the law, Nadira must marry another man, consummate that marriage, and then divorce him before she can return to Rashid. The Tragic Ending
: Nadira is forced into a one-day marriage with a stranger. Unable to bear the humiliation and the physical violation of spending the night with a stranger, Nadira flees to the banks of the Chandragiri River and commits suicide by jumping into the water. Key Characters Shaken, she confronts Liam
: The protagonist; a naive and illiterate girl who becomes a victim of her father's greed and rigid societal laws. Muhammad Khan
: Nadira’s father; represents the ultimate patriarchal authority who prioritizes his own convenience and money over his daughter’s happiness.
: Nadira’s husband; though initially loving, he is portrayed as passive and fails to stand up against Khan’s manipulation.
: Nadira’s mother; she also suffered under Khan, having married him at age eleven, and serves as a silent witness to the cycle of oppression. Major Themes Patriarchal Oppression
: The novel highlights how women are treated as "puppets" or objects by male relatives and religious authorities. Religious Law Critique : Abubakar specifically critiques the Triple Talaq Nikah Halala
practices, illustrating how they can be exploited to destroy women's lives. Lack of Education
: Nadira's illiteracy is a central factor in her inability to defend herself or communicate effectively with Rashid during their separation. Silent Resistance
: While Nadira is silenced throughout the story, her ultimate choice (though tragic) is seen as a final, desperate act of rebellion against an unjust system. or a deeper analysis of the significance of the river in the story?
Understanding the summary requires a clear picture of the key players: