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Tilda Is Visible
A woman starts to disappear—literally—in midlife, and only then begins to discover herself in this winning novel that will speak to anyone who has ever felt invisible.
When Tilda Finch is diagnosed with invisibility—a condition that strikes mostly women of a certain age wherein they simply start to disappear—she's not overly surprised. Tilda has felt invisible for years. She's fifty-two years old, her husband left her for a younger woman, and while she has two terrific adult daughters and a successful business, she often wishes she had pursued her true passion, photography. Instead, she puts inspirational messages on merchandise, and while she doesn't believe in most of the quotes, she's thankful her customers do.
Tilda has never really recovered from her divorce. Or, if she's honest, her childhood. Tilda's past has taken a toll and she's lost sight of the woman she had always wanted to be. And even though she's bumped into perhaps the most handsome man she's ever met, if he wasn't blind (yes, truly blind) he would see the truth, which is that she's a middle-aged woman, not in her prime, and that he's way out of her league.
Soon Tilda discovers there are support groups for women just like her. But after attending one and seeing how resigned the women are to simply fading away, she decides there must be a better way. She is introduced to a controversial therapist who is a leader in this burgeoning field and decides she has nothing to lose by trying her methods out.
The therapist makes Tilda realize that in order to reappear, she must face the trauma of her past and rewire her brain in the way she perceives the world—and herself.
In a world where women are conditioned to not like what they see in the mirror, where the voices in their heads endlessly critique their faults, Tilda Is Visible shows us that we can't expect the world to see us properly if we can't first see ourselves.
When Tilda Finch is diagnosed with invisibility—a condition that strikes mostly women of a certain age wherein they simply start to disappear—she's not overly surprised. Tilda has felt invisible for years. She's fifty-two years old, her husband left her for a younger woman, and while she has two terrific adult daughters and a successful business, she often wishes she had pursued her true passion, photography. Instead, she puts inspirational messages on merchandise, and while she doesn't believe in most of the quotes, she's thankful her customers do.
Tilda has never really recovered from her divorce. Or, if she's honest, her childhood. Tilda's past has taken a toll and she's lost sight of the woman she had always wanted to be. And even though she's bumped into perhaps the most handsome man she's ever met, if he wasn't blind (yes, truly blind) he would see the truth, which is that she's a middle-aged woman, not in her prime, and that he's way out of her league.
Soon Tilda discovers there are support groups for women just like her. But after attending one and seeing how resigned the women are to simply fading away, she decides there must be a better way. She is introduced to a controversial therapist who is a leader in this burgeoning field and decides she has nothing to lose by trying her methods out.
The therapist makes Tilda realize that in order to reappear, she must face the trauma of her past and rewire her brain in the way she perceives the world—and herself.
In a world where women are conditioned to not like what they see in the mirror, where the voices in their heads endlessly critique their faults, Tilda Is Visible shows us that we can't expect the world to see us properly if we can't first see ourselves.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2025
310 people are currently reading
11752 people want to read
About the author
Jane Tara
17 books145 followersJane Tara has published over a hundred children's books, several plays and five novels. She's a daily meditator, a sucker for a rescue mutt and, most of all, a front-row cheerleader for her two sons. She spent thirteen years wandering the world and lived in five countries but is now happily at home in Sydney.
For more information, and Jane's musings about meditation, manifestation and more, follow her on Substack.
For more information, and Jane's musings about meditation, manifestation and more, follow her on Substack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 593 reviews
April 2, 2024
I think I read this at the right time. Age shouldn't matter (all this relates to me, others may have differing opinions of course), but I have been feeling it, lately, so Tilda in her funny ways showed me some things.
Tilda is no longer married, her ex isn't the greatest guy, and never really was. She's learned by now that ever since they met, she conformed to his way, in all ways.
She has her own freedom now, loves her kids immeasurably, but strange things are happening. She is disappearing. My assumptions before going into this book were these feelings of Tilda's invisibility were metaphorical, but they are not. Slowly but surely parts of her body are being removed, starting small with her pinky.. but she realises with horror these are not remaining small.
My dislike for realism needed to take a back seat to really enjoy the book and take advantage of the takeaway lessons as this book provides them in abundance.
Tilda spirals internally (I see her wacky and it is endearing to me), she's been feeling unseen forever. She knows her business is successful, that's not an issue, she sells inspirational merchandise of all things! - but does she live by this in any way?
Eternally witty, admirably smart and clever, will she see what others see, or will she allow herself to drown and disappear forever?
This debut is immensely clever. Drawing on Tilda's internal dialogue who she has named Pearl, we see that if she doesn't quickly start seeing herself for the worthy woman she is, she will not be around in the psychical sense much longer for others to see. This is a highly original story, which is not delivered with anything other than skill and an immense amount of originality.
I've rounded this from 3.5 to 4 stars as I don't warm to any amount of magical realism, but the ingenious way of threading the issue of ageing women feeling unseen to the physical aspect is extraordinary.
This books status as a debut adds an extra level of WOW! Another great insight for me was the idea of meditation. I’ve known forever that this could help. It helped Tilda, and it also helped Jane Tara as discussed in her author’s note.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform via my public library.
Tilda is no longer married, her ex isn't the greatest guy, and never really was. She's learned by now that ever since they met, she conformed to his way, in all ways.
She has her own freedom now, loves her kids immeasurably, but strange things are happening. She is disappearing. My assumptions before going into this book were these feelings of Tilda's invisibility were metaphorical, but they are not. Slowly but surely parts of her body are being removed, starting small with her pinky.. but she realises with horror these are not remaining small.
My dislike for realism needed to take a back seat to really enjoy the book and take advantage of the takeaway lessons as this book provides them in abundance.
Tilda spirals internally (I see her wacky and it is endearing to me), she's been feeling unseen forever. She knows her business is successful, that's not an issue, she sells inspirational merchandise of all things! - but does she live by this in any way?
Eternally witty, admirably smart and clever, will she see what others see, or will she allow herself to drown and disappear forever?
This debut is immensely clever. Drawing on Tilda's internal dialogue who she has named Pearl, we see that if she doesn't quickly start seeing herself for the worthy woman she is, she will not be around in the psychical sense much longer for others to see. This is a highly original story, which is not delivered with anything other than skill and an immense amount of originality.
I've rounded this from 3.5 to 4 stars as I don't warm to any amount of magical realism, but the ingenious way of threading the issue of ageing women feeling unseen to the physical aspect is extraordinary.
This books status as a debut adds an extra level of WOW! Another great insight for me was the idea of meditation. I’ve known forever that this could help. It helped Tilda, and it also helped Jane Tara as discussed in her author’s note.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform via my public library.
August 17, 2024
Several weeks ago I was waiting for a friend to arrive at a cafe we’d been to many times before. I explained to the waitress that we’d be having lunch when she arrived and that I’d like to order a coffee in the interim. I waited and waited for her to return. In the meantime, a bloke sat at a table diagonally across from me, and before you could whip out your phone to check the time, he had a full brunch on his table. While I still waited to order my coffee. Was I wearing my cloak of invisibility?
Tilda Finch on the other hand is literally vanishing. Bit by bit. She first notices when she’s working at her laptop and can no longer see her pinkie finger on her left hand. She can feel it but not see it. To her horror, more body parts start to “disappear”. Her nose. And neck. An earlobe.
Tilda’s GP officially diagnoses her with invisibility. Yes, it’s real. Women of a certain age just disappear from view, as they apparently no longer hold a viable place in society, which is focused on the newer, brighter versions of womanhood.
I loved this book SO much. Tilda is funny, warm and smart. As she joins various therapy groups to uncover (pardon the pun) the reasons behind her sudden invisibility, we meet a bunch of other women going through the same thing.
”Darling Tilly, you’re already losing everything. You’re losing yourself. Just let go. Step into the unknown. That way, all you’ve lost will be replaced by something even better.”
There's a lot to take on board. It's inspiring. It's fun. It'll make you look at the people around you differently. Especially those of a certain age. Don’t look away and maybe even smile at them. You could learn a thing or two.
Such a fantastic novel with a great Aussie voice. I can’t wait to read more of Jane Tara’s works. It left me feeling refreshed and optimistic about the aging process, as how you view yourself is often how others will as well.
And I can’t wait for this to be snapped up as a mini-series! It’s filled with such great characters begging to be brought to the small screen.
”...life is so bloody short, so we need to drink margaritas more often.”
I couldn’t agree more. Cheers to Tilda.
#IAmVisible #TildaIsVisible
Tilda Finch on the other hand is literally vanishing. Bit by bit. She first notices when she’s working at her laptop and can no longer see her pinkie finger on her left hand. She can feel it but not see it. To her horror, more body parts start to “disappear”. Her nose. And neck. An earlobe.
Tilda’s GP officially diagnoses her with invisibility. Yes, it’s real. Women of a certain age just disappear from view, as they apparently no longer hold a viable place in society, which is focused on the newer, brighter versions of womanhood.
I loved this book SO much. Tilda is funny, warm and smart. As she joins various therapy groups to uncover (pardon the pun) the reasons behind her sudden invisibility, we meet a bunch of other women going through the same thing.
”Darling Tilly, you’re already losing everything. You’re losing yourself. Just let go. Step into the unknown. That way, all you’ve lost will be replaced by something even better.”
There's a lot to take on board. It's inspiring. It's fun. It'll make you look at the people around you differently. Especially those of a certain age. Don’t look away and maybe even smile at them. You could learn a thing or two.
Such a fantastic novel with a great Aussie voice. I can’t wait to read more of Jane Tara’s works. It left me feeling refreshed and optimistic about the aging process, as how you view yourself is often how others will as well.
And I can’t wait for this to be snapped up as a mini-series! It’s filled with such great characters begging to be brought to the small screen.
”...life is so bloody short, so we need to drink margaritas more often.”
I couldn’t agree more. Cheers to Tilda.
#IAmVisible #TildaIsVisible
January 2, 2024
“She had invisibility. She let that sink in. And as she did, she realised … she’d felt invisible for years.”
Tilda Is Visible is the first adult novel by Australian author, Jane Tara. Her pinkie finger goes missing; then her right ear…. The diagnosis of Invisibility is a shock, and after treating it with Google and alcohol, Tilda Finch, divorced, fifty-two, follows her female reflex and shares the news with her closest friends and her daughters, certain of unwavering support.
Her friend Ali caters; her friend and business partner, Leith pulls strings to get an appointment with an expert; and her friendly GP points her to a support group. Her twins react as expected: actress Holly is dramatic; vet Tabitha is calm and thoughtful, and Tab’s partner Jess is perceptive and practical. But for all that, more and more bits of Tilda become invisible.
Inadequately funded research (as with any condition that affects ageing women) suggests that there is no cure for Invisibility, and Tilda finds the support group depressing, more of a discouragement group, if anything, although she does connect with a few members who share her sense of humour.
More than one of those she is close to suggests the problem comes from within, as does the expert, (who might, or might not, be a charlatan) and thus any cure will depend on her. Tilda attends the appointment, is bewildered by Selma Nester’s approach, isn’t quite convinced, but willing to give her methods a go.
The distraction she doesn’t need is the gorgeous man at the café, whose banter immediately draws her in. Her inner dialogue, what Selma has defined as PEARL – Program Everything- Always Repeat Loop – tells her he was just being nice and couldn’t possibly be interested in her. He certainly wouldn’t be, if he knew the truth. Would he? Later, Selma tells her “You’ve lost sight. Of yourself. And if you can’t see yourself, how will anyone else?”
As Tilda talks with other women with the same diagnosis, some common features become apparent: whatever past experience has left them questioning their own worth, their inner dialogue is continuously feeding them a loop of negativity, degrading any chance of self-love; that their frequent self-sacrifice, begging to be seen and loved, is really self-sabotage; that you get what you focus on, be it pain or heartbreak or not deserving happiness.
It takes a while, but eventually, Tilda realises the truth of what Selma has been saying: that our own opinion of ourselves must be the one we value most; that we need to acknowledge ourselves. “The most rebellious thing we can do now is to not care what others think of us.” Can Tilda heal herself?
In Tilda Is Visible, Jane Tara has taken a common phenomenon, that ageing women feel less and less seen and, with impeccable wisdom and insight, given it a physical manifestation. The potential causes and cures that Tilda pursues to restore her visibility are equally applicable to the condition that plagues many women of a certain vintage in today’s world.
Tilda and her friends are an appealing bunch and their dialogue is filled with so much laugh-out-loud humour, often black as, clever unspirational quotes, and the absolute best puns on invisibility. “We’ve always said we’re going to be two ole birds together. You’ll be invisible and I’ll be known as the crazy old lady who talks to herself, because people won’t know you’re there.” Hilarious, heart-warming and hopeful, this is a brilliant debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Affirm Press.
Tilda Is Visible is the first adult novel by Australian author, Jane Tara. Her pinkie finger goes missing; then her right ear…. The diagnosis of Invisibility is a shock, and after treating it with Google and alcohol, Tilda Finch, divorced, fifty-two, follows her female reflex and shares the news with her closest friends and her daughters, certain of unwavering support.
Her friend Ali caters; her friend and business partner, Leith pulls strings to get an appointment with an expert; and her friendly GP points her to a support group. Her twins react as expected: actress Holly is dramatic; vet Tabitha is calm and thoughtful, and Tab’s partner Jess is perceptive and practical. But for all that, more and more bits of Tilda become invisible.
Inadequately funded research (as with any condition that affects ageing women) suggests that there is no cure for Invisibility, and Tilda finds the support group depressing, more of a discouragement group, if anything, although she does connect with a few members who share her sense of humour.
More than one of those she is close to suggests the problem comes from within, as does the expert, (who might, or might not, be a charlatan) and thus any cure will depend on her. Tilda attends the appointment, is bewildered by Selma Nester’s approach, isn’t quite convinced, but willing to give her methods a go.
The distraction she doesn’t need is the gorgeous man at the café, whose banter immediately draws her in. Her inner dialogue, what Selma has defined as PEARL – Program Everything- Always Repeat Loop – tells her he was just being nice and couldn’t possibly be interested in her. He certainly wouldn’t be, if he knew the truth. Would he? Later, Selma tells her “You’ve lost sight. Of yourself. And if you can’t see yourself, how will anyone else?”
As Tilda talks with other women with the same diagnosis, some common features become apparent: whatever past experience has left them questioning their own worth, their inner dialogue is continuously feeding them a loop of negativity, degrading any chance of self-love; that their frequent self-sacrifice, begging to be seen and loved, is really self-sabotage; that you get what you focus on, be it pain or heartbreak or not deserving happiness.
It takes a while, but eventually, Tilda realises the truth of what Selma has been saying: that our own opinion of ourselves must be the one we value most; that we need to acknowledge ourselves. “The most rebellious thing we can do now is to not care what others think of us.” Can Tilda heal herself?
In Tilda Is Visible, Jane Tara has taken a common phenomenon, that ageing women feel less and less seen and, with impeccable wisdom and insight, given it a physical manifestation. The potential causes and cures that Tilda pursues to restore her visibility are equally applicable to the condition that plagues many women of a certain vintage in today’s world.
Tilda and her friends are an appealing bunch and their dialogue is filled with so much laugh-out-loud humour, often black as, clever unspirational quotes, and the absolute best puns on invisibility. “We’ve always said we’re going to be two ole birds together. You’ll be invisible and I’ll be known as the crazy old lady who talks to herself, because people won’t know you’re there.” Hilarious, heart-warming and hopeful, this is a brilliant debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Affirm Press.
February 28, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up for the concept. What “woman of a certain age” has NOT realized that she’s become invisible - not just to men, but to younger women and those under 30??? And while it can be a relief in a way, it’s also quite disheartening and very infuriating. This novel is the story of Tilda, who literally develops invisibility - first with a finger, then ear, neck & other body parts. She seeks help - from a doctor, therapist & a support group, and meets others like herself & learns and grows a lot. I found this one both enjoyable and rather inspirational, in a way.
February 1, 2025
4.5 Stars
Equal parts humorous and thought-provoking, Tilda Is Visible follows Tilda as she looks down one day and sees her pinky missing, soon after being diagnosed with invisibility, an illness commonly seen in middle-aged women where they quite literally begin disappearing. There is no known cure, but causes include history of any kind of trauma, being overlooked, dismissed, generally not being seen.
Tilda refuses to believe there isn’t a cure. She doesn’t want to become invisible. As she begins on a journey of self-discovery, she leans on her friends, both old and new ones she finds along the way. She tries it all: self-pity, isolation, therapy, meditation, and self-love. There were times were my heart ached for Tilda and times where I was chortling along with her on this journey. So many were relatable moments.
I loved the overall theme of the book, the idea of seeing one’s self, of seeing others, and having a supportive community surround you. So many women will see themselves in Tilda and will appreciate the realness found in this book.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Equal parts humorous and thought-provoking, Tilda Is Visible follows Tilda as she looks down one day and sees her pinky missing, soon after being diagnosed with invisibility, an illness commonly seen in middle-aged women where they quite literally begin disappearing. There is no known cure, but causes include history of any kind of trauma, being overlooked, dismissed, generally not being seen.
Tilda refuses to believe there isn’t a cure. She doesn’t want to become invisible. As she begins on a journey of self-discovery, she leans on her friends, both old and new ones she finds along the way. She tries it all: self-pity, isolation, therapy, meditation, and self-love. There were times were my heart ached for Tilda and times where I was chortling along with her on this journey. So many were relatable moments.
I loved the overall theme of the book, the idea of seeing one’s self, of seeing others, and having a supportive community surround you. So many women will see themselves in Tilda and will appreciate the realness found in this book.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
March 25, 2024
“She had invisibility. She let that sink in. And as she did, she realised … she’d felt invisible for years.”
Tilda Is Visible is the first adult novel by Australian author, Jane Tara. The audio version is narrated by Ella James. Her pinkie finger goes missing; then her right ear…. The diagnosis of Invisibility is a shock, and after treating it with Google and alcohol, Tilda Finch, divorced, fifty-two, follows her female reflex and shares the news with her closest friends and her daughters, certain of unwavering support.
Her friend Ali caters; her friend and business partner, Leith pulls strings to get an appointment with an expert; and her friendly GP points her to a support group. Her twins react as expected: actress Holly is dramatic; vet Tabitha is calm and thoughtful, and Tab’s partner Jess is perceptive and practical. But for all that, more and more bits of Tilda become invisible.
Inadequately funded research (as with any condition that affects ageing women) suggests that there is no cure for Invisibility, and Tilda finds the support group depressing, more of a discouragement group, if anything, although she does connect with a few members who share her sense of humour.
More than one of those she is close to suggests the problem comes from within, as does the expert, (who might, or might not, be a charlatan) and thus any cure will depend on her. Tilda attends the appointment, is bewildered by Selma Nester’s approach, isn’t quite convinced, but willing to give her methods a go.
The distraction she doesn’t need is the gorgeous man at the café, whose banter immediately draws her in. Her inner dialogue, what Selma has defined as PEARL – Program Everything- Always Repeat Loop – tells her he was just being nice and couldn’t possibly be interested in her. He certainly wouldn’t be, if he knew the truth. Would he? Later, Selma tells her “You’ve lost sight. Of yourself. And if you can’t see yourself, how will anyone else?”
As Tilda talks with other women with the same diagnosis, some common features become apparent: whatever past experience has left them questioning their own worth, their inner dialogue is continuously feeding them a loop of negativity, degrading any chance of self-love; that their frequent self-sacrifice, begging to be seen and loved, is really self-sabotage; that you get what you focus on, be it pain or heartbreak or not deserving happiness.
It takes a while, but eventually, Tilda realises the truth of what Selma has been saying: that our own opinion of ourselves must be the one we value most; that we need to acknowledge ourselves. “The most rebellious thing we can do now is to not care what others think of us.” Can Tilda heal herself?
In Tilda Is Visible, Jane Tara has taken a common phenomenon, that ageing women feel less and less seen and, with impeccable wisdom and insight, given it a physical manifestation. The potential causes and cures that Tilda pursues to restore her visibility are equally applicable to the condition that plagues many women of a certain vintage in today’s world.
Tilda and her friends are an appealing bunch and their dialogue is filled with so much laugh-out-loud humour, often black as, clever unspirational quotes, and the absolute best puns on invisibility. “We’ve always said we’re going to be two ole birds together. You’ll be invisible and I’ll be known as the crazy old lady who talks to herself, because people won’t know you’re there.” Hilarious, heart-warming and hopeful, this is a brilliant debut.
Tilda Is Visible is the first adult novel by Australian author, Jane Tara. The audio version is narrated by Ella James. Her pinkie finger goes missing; then her right ear…. The diagnosis of Invisibility is a shock, and after treating it with Google and alcohol, Tilda Finch, divorced, fifty-two, follows her female reflex and shares the news with her closest friends and her daughters, certain of unwavering support.
Her friend Ali caters; her friend and business partner, Leith pulls strings to get an appointment with an expert; and her friendly GP points her to a support group. Her twins react as expected: actress Holly is dramatic; vet Tabitha is calm and thoughtful, and Tab’s partner Jess is perceptive and practical. But for all that, more and more bits of Tilda become invisible.
Inadequately funded research (as with any condition that affects ageing women) suggests that there is no cure for Invisibility, and Tilda finds the support group depressing, more of a discouragement group, if anything, although she does connect with a few members who share her sense of humour.
More than one of those she is close to suggests the problem comes from within, as does the expert, (who might, or might not, be a charlatan) and thus any cure will depend on her. Tilda attends the appointment, is bewildered by Selma Nester’s approach, isn’t quite convinced, but willing to give her methods a go.
The distraction she doesn’t need is the gorgeous man at the café, whose banter immediately draws her in. Her inner dialogue, what Selma has defined as PEARL – Program Everything- Always Repeat Loop – tells her he was just being nice and couldn’t possibly be interested in her. He certainly wouldn’t be, if he knew the truth. Would he? Later, Selma tells her “You’ve lost sight. Of yourself. And if you can’t see yourself, how will anyone else?”
As Tilda talks with other women with the same diagnosis, some common features become apparent: whatever past experience has left them questioning their own worth, their inner dialogue is continuously feeding them a loop of negativity, degrading any chance of self-love; that their frequent self-sacrifice, begging to be seen and loved, is really self-sabotage; that you get what you focus on, be it pain or heartbreak or not deserving happiness.
It takes a while, but eventually, Tilda realises the truth of what Selma has been saying: that our own opinion of ourselves must be the one we value most; that we need to acknowledge ourselves. “The most rebellious thing we can do now is to not care what others think of us.” Can Tilda heal herself?
In Tilda Is Visible, Jane Tara has taken a common phenomenon, that ageing women feel less and less seen and, with impeccable wisdom and insight, given it a physical manifestation. The potential causes and cures that Tilda pursues to restore her visibility are equally applicable to the condition that plagues many women of a certain vintage in today’s world.
Tilda and her friends are an appealing bunch and their dialogue is filled with so much laugh-out-loud humour, often black as, clever unspirational quotes, and the absolute best puns on invisibility. “We’ve always said we’re going to be two ole birds together. You’ll be invisible and I’ll be known as the crazy old lady who talks to herself, because people won’t know you’re there.” Hilarious, heart-warming and hopeful, this is a brilliant debut.
September 3, 2025
When I turned 50, my husband flew my three best friends in as a surprise to help me celebrate. During one of our conversations one friend asked “When did we become invisible? I go to the mall with my teenage daughters and no one sees me anymore.“
As women age, we become invisible to society. In Tilda Is Visible, there is a physical condition called invisibility. … which makes women gradually physically disappear. For Tilda, it starts with her right pinky finger and over a couple of weeks, her hand, her nose, and her neck disappear. She joins a support group where she meets other women with various stages of invisibility, and she starts seeing a controversial therapist who makes her realize that in order to reappear, she must face the trauma of her past and rewire her brain in the way she perceives the world and herself.
There are so many wonderful characters in this book. The journey they all go on in their own way is extraordinary. The story is full of truisms about aging and being visible to yourself and others.
And you know that voice in your head, the one that bars you and is full of negative thoughts that just turn in your brain? That voice is PEARL: an acronym for “Program Everything and Always Repeat Loop.”
This is a funny, insightful, poignant book which women of a certain age can totally identify with. If your friends read it, it will be a good conversation starter.
An absolute recommend.
Good quote (and there are many!)
“ Invisibility advocates are very much against it. Women who suffer from invisibility don’t literally disappear. You may be invisible, but you’re certainly not disappearing. There’s a difference.”
“Along with perimenopause and menopause, invisibility mostly affects older women. And yet, until recently, we didn’t even discuss this issue between ourselves. That’s all changing now.”
“ A much higher percentage of women suffer invisibility than previously thought. Usually affects women over 50, as the ovaries stop producing estrogen; however, no research yet indicates a correlation between invisibility and hormones. Early symptoms include not being served in shops and bars and being overlooked at job interviews or for promotions at work. Over 80% of sufferers report some some form of invisibility or the experience of not being seen. Approximately 7% of sufferers have body parts that disappear. One in 100 women diagnosed with invisibility will disappear altogether.”
“They bonded over a love for Revlon ‘Wine With Everything’ lipstick.” (OMG! I used to wear that all the time!)
“She had invisibility. She let that word sink in. And as it did, she realized … she felt invisible for years”
“If something can’t be seen, does it still exist?”
“…How the world sees us, how other people see us, is meaningless. What’s important is how we see ourselves. We must be visible to ourselves.”
“ 95% of what you think every single day is from a record of your past. Everything you’ve ever experienced, ever thought, and ever felt is stored here, in what I call PEARL. She is the subconscious, a massive data bank of information. She’s extremely literal. She doesn’t analyze the information she stores. That’s not her purpose. She’s just a program of your past, tagging information and feeding it back to you on a constant loop, whether that information is actually helpful or not, true or false.”
“ ‘We don’t see things as they are, we see we see them as we are.’ A quote often attributed to Anais Nin, who had in fact taken the words from a Talmudic text. At the time, Tilda had read and reread that quote, emerging somewhat satisfied that she understood it. Somewhat. Her perception of it at least.”
“The life she planned had disappeared. Now Tilda had actually started disappearing.”
“ ‘All women carry rage’, Carol piped up. ‘Rage at the inequalities and the injustices. Rage about every time we’ve had our boundaries disregarded, only to be accused of being unreasonable or a ball breaker or crazy for pointing them out. Rage at every unwanted touch and the constant feeling that we’re unsafe in the world. Rage, rage, rage, for the girls everywhere who are only now learning that they do not count in a man’s world, and all the older women who are invisible and have been discarded. Rage.’
“Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.” Margaret Atwood (Every chapter starts with a wonderful quote!)
Oh, and absolutely read the discussion questions at the end of the book. They add so much to the story.
As women age, we become invisible to society. In Tilda Is Visible, there is a physical condition called invisibility. … which makes women gradually physically disappear. For Tilda, it starts with her right pinky finger and over a couple of weeks, her hand, her nose, and her neck disappear. She joins a support group where she meets other women with various stages of invisibility, and she starts seeing a controversial therapist who makes her realize that in order to reappear, she must face the trauma of her past and rewire her brain in the way she perceives the world and herself.
There are so many wonderful characters in this book. The journey they all go on in their own way is extraordinary. The story is full of truisms about aging and being visible to yourself and others.
And you know that voice in your head, the one that bars you and is full of negative thoughts that just turn in your brain? That voice is PEARL: an acronym for “Program Everything and Always Repeat Loop.”
This is a funny, insightful, poignant book which women of a certain age can totally identify with. If your friends read it, it will be a good conversation starter.
An absolute recommend.
Good quote (and there are many!)
“ Invisibility advocates are very much against it. Women who suffer from invisibility don’t literally disappear. You may be invisible, but you’re certainly not disappearing. There’s a difference.”
“Along with perimenopause and menopause, invisibility mostly affects older women. And yet, until recently, we didn’t even discuss this issue between ourselves. That’s all changing now.”
“ A much higher percentage of women suffer invisibility than previously thought. Usually affects women over 50, as the ovaries stop producing estrogen; however, no research yet indicates a correlation between invisibility and hormones. Early symptoms include not being served in shops and bars and being overlooked at job interviews or for promotions at work. Over 80% of sufferers report some some form of invisibility or the experience of not being seen. Approximately 7% of sufferers have body parts that disappear. One in 100 women diagnosed with invisibility will disappear altogether.”
“They bonded over a love for Revlon ‘Wine With Everything’ lipstick.” (OMG! I used to wear that all the time!)
“She had invisibility. She let that word sink in. And as it did, she realized … she felt invisible for years”
“If something can’t be seen, does it still exist?”
“…How the world sees us, how other people see us, is meaningless. What’s important is how we see ourselves. We must be visible to ourselves.”
“ 95% of what you think every single day is from a record of your past. Everything you’ve ever experienced, ever thought, and ever felt is stored here, in what I call PEARL. She is the subconscious, a massive data bank of information. She’s extremely literal. She doesn’t analyze the information she stores. That’s not her purpose. She’s just a program of your past, tagging information and feeding it back to you on a constant loop, whether that information is actually helpful or not, true or false.”
“ ‘We don’t see things as they are, we see we see them as we are.’ A quote often attributed to Anais Nin, who had in fact taken the words from a Talmudic text. At the time, Tilda had read and reread that quote, emerging somewhat satisfied that she understood it. Somewhat. Her perception of it at least.”
“The life she planned had disappeared. Now Tilda had actually started disappearing.”
“ ‘All women carry rage’, Carol piped up. ‘Rage at the inequalities and the injustices. Rage about every time we’ve had our boundaries disregarded, only to be accused of being unreasonable or a ball breaker or crazy for pointing them out. Rage at every unwanted touch and the constant feeling that we’re unsafe in the world. Rage, rage, rage, for the girls everywhere who are only now learning that they do not count in a man’s world, and all the older women who are invisible and have been discarded. Rage.’
“Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.” Margaret Atwood (Every chapter starts with a wonderful quote!)
Oh, and absolutely read the discussion questions at the end of the book. They add so much to the story.
May 23, 2024
What a gem of a book this is and so well written. Going into this book I wasn’t entirely sure if I’d like this book even though I had seen many positive reviews. I’m pleased to say I enjoyed it and I can see many readers will be able to relate to this story. Aussie author Jane Tara has done a fabulous job in creating this story and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. Highly recommended.
April 27, 2024
An absolute must read for absolutely everyone. A book about gosh older women in society being pushed to the sidelines and what we should all be demanding..all wrapped up in such a fun read..My word Tilda is Visible; as well we all should be ✊
January 5, 2025
The themes of this book are hardly subtle, and by the end I felt like I'd just been subjected to a few hours of meditation and self-help advertising. It didn't make me want to explore further into those industries. It had the opposite impact on me. But I'm probably not the intended target audience for those themes, so take what I say how you will.
What I did enjoy in this book is the notion that people need to see themselves and take time to see others properly. That's the biggest thing I take from this story. I thought having people (mostly women) in this book start to turn invisible a unique and clever way of opening the discussion. There are other serious themes and topics discussed in the book, which is written with light and humour, and the decision to make this entertaining and not maudlin was the right choice. Because it increases the emotional impact when needed. If this book were written in any other way, those impacts would be hidden.
One issue with this book come to mind. The insta-romance. Not a fan. And for some reason the new man, who fell for our protagonist because of the way she closed a book, has model looks, super rich, and is perfect in every way. Suits a modern day fairy tale, but also feel too cliche and juvenile. It felt akin to a YA book, not adult fiction.
An okay read with a unique spin.
What I did enjoy in this book is the notion that people need to see themselves and take time to see others properly. That's the biggest thing I take from this story. I thought having people (mostly women) in this book start to turn invisible a unique and clever way of opening the discussion. There are other serious themes and topics discussed in the book, which is written with light and humour, and the decision to make this entertaining and not maudlin was the right choice. Because it increases the emotional impact when needed. If this book were written in any other way, those impacts would be hidden.
One issue with this book come to mind. The insta-romance. Not a fan. And for some reason the new man, who fell for our protagonist because of the way she closed a book, has model looks, super rich, and is perfect in every way. Suits a modern day fairy tale, but also feel too cliche and juvenile. It felt akin to a YA book, not adult fiction.
An okay read with a unique spin.
July 7, 2024
⭐️3.5 Stars⭐️
Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara is a light hearted and fresh debut novel part fiction and part self-help book and it’s also peppered with magical realism. It’s an easy read book featuring a condition that affects older women who don’t feel seen anymore……a relevant social stigma!
Tilda Finch aged fifty-two, successful and financially secure is diagnosed with invisibility. We follow Tilda on her journey to battle invisibility, she has eroded self-esteem, constantly judges herself and has ignored her own needs for too long. She’s never fully recovered from her divorce after sixteen years of marriage and childhood trauma. Will she find a cure?
I enjoyed the characters in the story especially Patrick and the sweet romance. I thought the story was entertaining and will resonate with many women. Although I found the magical realism part didn’t work for me, the story did inspire me!
I loved the concept of meditation to heal and notably it’s also a valuable tool for the author as she’s a daily meditator. I will be looking into it more! A story about modern women, feminism, love, family, self, friendships and for anyone who feels they are not seen. A great book choice for a bookclub read that will expedite engaging conversations!
Publication Date 27 February 2024
Publisher Affirm Press
Thank you to the fabulous team Affirm Press for sending me a copy of the book.
Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara is a light hearted and fresh debut novel part fiction and part self-help book and it’s also peppered with magical realism. It’s an easy read book featuring a condition that affects older women who don’t feel seen anymore……a relevant social stigma!
Tilda Finch aged fifty-two, successful and financially secure is diagnosed with invisibility. We follow Tilda on her journey to battle invisibility, she has eroded self-esteem, constantly judges herself and has ignored her own needs for too long. She’s never fully recovered from her divorce after sixteen years of marriage and childhood trauma. Will she find a cure?
I enjoyed the characters in the story especially Patrick and the sweet romance. I thought the story was entertaining and will resonate with many women. Although I found the magical realism part didn’t work for me, the story did inspire me!
I loved the concept of meditation to heal and notably it’s also a valuable tool for the author as she’s a daily meditator. I will be looking into it more! A story about modern women, feminism, love, family, self, friendships and for anyone who feels they are not seen. A great book choice for a bookclub read that will expedite engaging conversations!
Publication Date 27 February 2024
Publisher Affirm Press
Thank you to the fabulous team Affirm Press for sending me a copy of the book.
May 26, 2024
I had to DNF at 50% I just could t bring myself to continue reading. This was a total miss for me. I was just bored by the whole book.
June 17, 2024
A pleasant enough light read, but heavy-handed in parts (meditation is good, we get it!), and just so much unexamined privilege throughout.
July 11, 2025
This was a heartwarming read centered around a main character I genuinely liked and found relatable in many ways. The book delivered quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, though it did have its share of cheesy scenes too. While the story was ultimately charming, I found the strong focus on self-help, self-care, and meditation elements to be a bit too prevalent, and at times, I found myself kind of bored.
Overall, it’s a cute read with a good message!
Overall, it’s a cute read with a good message!
February 28, 2025
A fun quirky book with a symbolic premise. Tilda is turning invisible. First her pinky and her ear. Then her thumb. She has a known disease that affects mostly women over 50- they are still there but unable to be seen. Tilda has stage 2 but stage 4 is completely invisible.
If you like a heartwarming, yet somewhat snarky symbolic and fun read, this is a good Australian book
If you like a heartwarming, yet somewhat snarky symbolic and fun read, this is a good Australian book
February 23, 2024
Thank you Jane for gifting us a copy to read and review.
A unique and wise story with many laugh out loud moments that’s imaginatively created.
Tilda Finch has acceptable life and a successful business with her best friends.
Her past is a bit cloudy and her divorce was messy.
Now she feels like she has lost a bit of herself.
Then one day, her finger disappears.
A trip to the doctor’s gives her the answer.
A diagnosis of “invisibility”.
Now before it becomes fatal and she disappears completely she must face the drama of the past and alter the way she sees herself.
I did enjoy this read and although I’m not the target audience, I found it very entertaining.
Tilda’s journey was interesting and engaging and despite not being able to relate to the condition, I was totally invested in the story.
The characters are compassionate, plot is distinct and when you go deep into the thoughts of the book it’s worth seriously thinking about and discussing what’s behind the real meaning.
Kudos to Jane for tackling the subject matter and writing a tale that’s definitely worth reading.
A unique and wise story with many laugh out loud moments that’s imaginatively created.
Tilda Finch has acceptable life and a successful business with her best friends.
Her past is a bit cloudy and her divorce was messy.
Now she feels like she has lost a bit of herself.
Then one day, her finger disappears.
A trip to the doctor’s gives her the answer.
A diagnosis of “invisibility”.
Now before it becomes fatal and she disappears completely she must face the drama of the past and alter the way she sees herself.
I did enjoy this read and although I’m not the target audience, I found it very entertaining.
Tilda’s journey was interesting and engaging and despite not being able to relate to the condition, I was totally invested in the story.
The characters are compassionate, plot is distinct and when you go deep into the thoughts of the book it’s worth seriously thinking about and discussing what’s behind the real meaning.
Kudos to Jane for tackling the subject matter and writing a tale that’s definitely worth reading.
April 11, 2024
While there is nothing subtle about the device of the physical manifestation of the invisibility and the messaging can be as obvious as those inspirational posters, it is still a thought provoking and engaging read. As someone in that age group, it resonates and I enjoyed her journey.
April 23, 2025
3.5 stars.
I picked this one up as I thought it would be a story about the way society views and treats older women. Instead, this was a story about learning to like yourself and being visible to yourself, instead of hiding behind expectations and listening to the negative self-talk that we tell ourselves often very unknowingly.
There is a lot of self-help, self-care, meditation elements to the story which did not really appeal to me. I did like the main character and found some aspects of her relatable. There were also quite a few laugh out loud moments.
Overall, a good read for those interested in self-care stories.
I picked this one up as I thought it would be a story about the way society views and treats older women. Instead, this was a story about learning to like yourself and being visible to yourself, instead of hiding behind expectations and listening to the negative self-talk that we tell ourselves often very unknowingly.
There is a lot of self-help, self-care, meditation elements to the story which did not really appeal to me. I did like the main character and found some aspects of her relatable. There were also quite a few laugh out loud moments.
Overall, a good read for those interested in self-care stories.
March 13, 2025
I first heard about this book on a podcast highlighting new releases for 2025. Being the age I am, I immediately added it to my shelf. As we age we often feel overlooked, invisible at times.Tilda and the cast of characters were just a delight to spend time with. So much wisdom and nuggets that I highlighted. I almost felt like I was sitting on the outskirts of a therapy session. I believe women my age 50+ will really enjoy this book.
November 26, 2024
Not surprising this author writes children's books. The magical realism was entertaining for a while but I felt the non-magical plot was even harder to believe. Every character was the same, lacking flaws and loving bad puns. A blind man falls in love with an invisible woman, it's a bit on the nose. This concept was handled better in The Fantastic 4! Patrick was too perfect and their relationship was without conflict, creating this sense that Tilda didn't really deserve it in the end. The meditation part was too heavy-handed and it came with a lot of unchecked privilege. The ending was too happily ever after for me.
Perhaps I'm just not the target demographic of this book. Maybe I'm a bit young to fully understand feeling invisible, but even I felt the topic could have been handled with a lot more nuance. I enjoyed its exploration of chronic illness for a time before the cure came too easily. As a psychologist, I thought Selma would be unregistered very quickly.
I mean, I did finish it (I was listening to the audiobook). It was entertaining enough for a beach read, while trying to be so much more. It was an easy read, and it helped me fall asleep at night. Otherwise the only appeal is probably relatability to this exact feeling and socioeconomic class.
Perhaps I'm just not the target demographic of this book. Maybe I'm a bit young to fully understand feeling invisible, but even I felt the topic could have been handled with a lot more nuance. I enjoyed its exploration of chronic illness for a time before the cure came too easily. As a psychologist, I thought Selma would be unregistered very quickly.
I mean, I did finish it (I was listening to the audiobook). It was entertaining enough for a beach read, while trying to be so much more. It was an easy read, and it helped me fall asleep at night. Otherwise the only appeal is probably relatability to this exact feeling and socioeconomic class.
April 14, 2024
After a few chapters I wondered if I was reading a young adult book but some of the content (kegels, menopause etc) made me realise this was probably aimed at adults, but just missed the mark a little.
On completing the book, I read that the author has written many children's books so this may explain the unsophisticated, dumbed-down style of writing.
I cringed at the 'humour' and the plot was so predictable you will know how the entire story pans out after reading 20% of the book.
2 stars as I did make it to the end, just sadly didn't enjoy the journey very much.
On completing the book, I read that the author has written many children's books so this may explain the unsophisticated, dumbed-down style of writing.
I cringed at the 'humour' and the plot was so predictable you will know how the entire story pans out after reading 20% of the book.
2 stars as I did make it to the end, just sadly didn't enjoy the journey very much.
February 4, 2025
4.25!
I *loved* this book—what an incredible topic and such a great exploration of getting older! If you’re a woman above the age of 35, READ THIS BOOK! Tilda’s story of quite literally becoming invisible as an aging, single woman was so refreshing and unique. The book has a truly lovely set of diverse supporting characters I loved so much and the authorpacked a lot of emotional depth into each of them and their stories.
I do wonder if perhaps this book could have been tightened a bit into a novella, but I again, I really enjoyed this.
I *loved* this book—what an incredible topic and such a great exploration of getting older! If you’re a woman above the age of 35, READ THIS BOOK! Tilda’s story of quite literally becoming invisible as an aging, single woman was so refreshing and unique. The book has a truly lovely set of diverse supporting characters I loved so much and the authorpacked a lot of emotional depth into each of them and their stories.
I do wonder if perhaps this book could have been tightened a bit into a novella, but I again, I really enjoyed this.
January 5, 2025
This premise in the hands of a better writer really could’ve been something.
(As one review said, very preachy. All tell, no show). I hated the resolution of invisibility. Would it have been so terrible to come to terms with it (I wish I had more brain cells at the moment to do a proper disability analysis. It’s so ableist).
(As one review said, very preachy. All tell, no show). I hated the resolution of invisibility. Would it have been so terrible to come to terms with it (I wish I had more brain cells at the moment to do a proper disability analysis. It’s so ableist).
March 11, 2025
On the surface, Tilda Is Visible is about a woman who becomes (literally) invisible because over the years she has lost her sense of self. What an opportunity to write a quirky story about (primarily) women feeling (/being) unseen in the world as they age!
Instead, not only was this a pseudo self-help book filled with toxic positivity and a healthy smattering of sexism, BUT ALSO, because of the direct (and indirect) comparisons to chronic illness/disability throughout, it was an ableist mess to boot.
In chronic illness circles we joke that well-meaning but ignorant people will often ask: “but have you tried meditation?”* It’s not really a joke because it’s related to the widespread and harmful beliefs that chronically ill people 1) are responsible/ cause their own suffering and 2) can cure themselves if they would just put in enough work. Neither are true, of course, yet this book reinforces both of these dangerous messages (but hey, at least there’s a happy ending!)
As an aside, if I never have to read another joke about a blind man “seeing clearly”, it’ll be too soon.
I hated this book with every bone in my chronically ill body.
*ETA: I do, in fact, meditate. I found how this book approached meditation icky, but that it was included is not my gripe.
Instead, not only was this a pseudo self-help book filled with toxic positivity and a healthy smattering of sexism, BUT ALSO, because of the direct (and indirect) comparisons to chronic illness/disability throughout, it was an ableist mess to boot.
In chronic illness circles we joke that well-meaning but ignorant people will often ask: “but have you tried meditation?”* It’s not really a joke because it’s related to the widespread and harmful beliefs that chronically ill people 1) are responsible/ cause their own suffering and 2) can cure themselves if they would just put in enough work. Neither are true, of course, yet this book reinforces both of these dangerous messages (but hey, at least there’s a happy ending!)
As an aside, if I never have to read another joke about a blind man “seeing clearly”, it’ll be too soon.
I hated this book with every bone in my chronically ill body.
*ETA: I do, in fact, meditate. I found how this book approached meditation icky, but that it was included is not my gripe.
April 12, 2024
We've all felt invisible to others at one stage or another. From our family. Friends. Strangers. Even ourselves. But what if that sensation was taken in a literal sense, where body parts simply disappear without any warning?
Meet 52 year old Tilda. A mother to twins. Divorcee for five years. Best friend to Leith and co-owner of a mega company that exists to inspire the mind, body, and soul. And she's just been diagnosed with incurable invisibility.
Tilda has been bottling up all that past pain, anger, and resentment that stemmed from childhood for so many years that she's lost sight of herself. Terms such as self-awareness, care, and kindness don't exist in Tilda's vocabulary... Not quite yet. By taking a leap of faith into uncharted territory, Tilda DOES discover that a positive reset to the mindset can deliver some incredible changes and reclaim what has been lost...
Oh boy. This gave me plenty to think about and reflect on. The idea of everyone having a PEARL is a concept I can get behind with. It's about time I started listening to her more!
It is such a fun, inspirational, relatable, and unique reading experience!
5 🌟
Meet 52 year old Tilda. A mother to twins. Divorcee for five years. Best friend to Leith and co-owner of a mega company that exists to inspire the mind, body, and soul. And she's just been diagnosed with incurable invisibility.
Tilda has been bottling up all that past pain, anger, and resentment that stemmed from childhood for so many years that she's lost sight of herself. Terms such as self-awareness, care, and kindness don't exist in Tilda's vocabulary... Not quite yet. By taking a leap of faith into uncharted territory, Tilda DOES discover that a positive reset to the mindset can deliver some incredible changes and reclaim what has been lost...
Oh boy. This gave me plenty to think about and reflect on. The idea of everyone having a PEARL is a concept I can get behind with. It's about time I started listening to her more!
It is such a fun, inspirational, relatable, and unique reading experience!
5 🌟
June 13, 2024
If I had to choose just one word to describe this book it would be preachy
I did related to the idea of feeling invisible though
I did related to the idea of feeling invisible though
July 3, 2024
3.5
Insightful but bordering on cheesy.
I expect that it could be inspiring for many a woman in there 50’s and helpful for others to gain some insight in to how life is experienced by many.
Insightful but bordering on cheesy.
I expect that it could be inspiring for many a woman in there 50’s and helpful for others to gain some insight in to how life is experienced by many.
September 22, 2025
Tilda is Visible delivers an impactful narrative, though its literal take on invisibility sometimes comes across as heavy-handed and is undermined by an unnecessary romance subplot. Additionally, the neuroscience, especially around neuroplasticity, is oversimplified and not entirely accurate.
December 26, 2024
I enjoyed this book a lot and thought Jane Tara used magic realism in an interesting way. I'm the same age as these women so it spoke to me a lot. I enjoyed the romance as well as the female friendships. My only quibble is that Tilda's privilege isn't dealt with and I think this would have added more complexity to the story. Thank you to @netgalley and @crownpublishing for this ARC.
January 17, 2024
Thank you for my advance reading copy. The story is interesting. Tilda Finch, 52 years old, is a successful entrepreneur. Her company sells inspirational quotes on merchandise. She is suddenly suffering from invisibility. Some parts of her body become invisible. In her healing journey to overcome her invisibility, she digs into her past and embraces her heartbreaks, pain, trauma, anger, shame, and guilt and meets new friends along the way. As she rewired her fear, she learned to see the world differently. I love the statement in the book that ‘We can’t force healing on anyone else but to be a beacon of light for others.’
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