"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.
The story opens in a bustling, unnamed city in Northern Nigeria, though the themes are applicable across many patriarchal societies. Zainab is introduced as an intelligent, ambitious university graduate with dreams of a career in law or public policy. She is the eldest daughter in a conservative household, a position that comes with immense responsibility and little reward. breaking ties by sara abubakar summary
Her father, Alhaji Usman, is a wealthy businessman who believes a woman’s ultimate success is marriage. Her mother, Hajiya Fatima, though loving, is a product of her environment—she constantly reminds Zainab that "a good woman endures." Zainab’s life is pre-scripted: finish school, get a "respectable" husband, have children, and manage the home.
The primary conflict begins when her father arranges her marriage to Musa, a charismatic but volatile businessman. Initially, Musa appears to be a catch—handsome, wealthy, and charming. Zainab, wanting to please her family and believing she can learn to love him, agrees to the engagement. This is the first "tie" she fails to break. "Breaking Ties" is a work of contemporary fiction
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.” Fatima is a tragic figure
Fatima is a tragic figure. She represents the internalized patriarchy. She loves Zainab genuinely, but her love is expressed through the language of endurance and sacrifice. She is a warning about what Zainab could become if she stays.