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Invisible Ties
As Karachi burned in the 1990s, the painfully shy Noor Kamal found refuge in an antique jade mirror stolen from Daisy, her social butterfly mother. One fateful day, the violence hits home as a motley crew of burglars storm the Kamal residence, killing Joseph, the faithful driver who tried to shield Noor and kidnapping Daisy in the process.
Traumatized by the turn of events and succumbing to familial pressure, Noor reluctantly agrees to start life afresh in Singapore as the wife of Meekaal Kalim, an investment banker. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Noor finds succour in studying psychotherapy.
Her attempt to heal others brings her close to Ella, her neighbour and Jake, a handsome American who is struggling to deal with his emotional breakdown. As she tries to exorcise ghosts from the past and break free from the shackles, where will Noor’s longing for love take her? Would she be able to liberate herself from her strong cultural values and ties?
A saga of love and trials, against a rich contrasting background, Invisible Ties is sure to appeal to the readers.
Traumatized by the turn of events and succumbing to familial pressure, Noor reluctantly agrees to start life afresh in Singapore as the wife of Meekaal Kalim, an investment banker. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Noor finds succour in studying psychotherapy.
Her attempt to heal others brings her close to Ella, her neighbour and Jake, a handsome American who is struggling to deal with his emotional breakdown. As she tries to exorcise ghosts from the past and break free from the shackles, where will Noor’s longing for love take her? Would she be able to liberate herself from her strong cultural values and ties?
A saga of love and trials, against a rich contrasting background, Invisible Ties is sure to appeal to the readers.
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2017
7 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Nadya A.R.
1 book19 followersNadya is an author, a psychotherapist and a motivational speaker. Her latest novel, Invisible Ties, has been published by Rupa Publications in August 2017. Nadya has written articles and submitted papers on different psychological constructs and topics in International conferences and workshops.
She is married and has two children. Nadya divides her time between Singapore and Pakistan. She plans to do a doctorate in post-trauma stress disorder and study different theoretical models to understand its impact on people and their environment. Through her writing, she wants to make a positive change in the world. Currently, she is busy researching for, ‘The Sanctuary’, her next novel.
Nadya loves to interact with her readers, and the link to her facebook page is https://m.facebook.com/nadya.ar.official
Praise for 'Invisible Ties'
"The interplay of emotions and relationships is something that stands out in this book. The characters emotions are explored in detail, their trials and tribulations and compromises make for a fascinating read. Perhaps, its good that this story has been kept ordinary and hasn’t resorted to unnecessary grandeur. The simplicity is what makes it unique." - New Asian Writing
"A scintillating saga of longing and desire, love and lust, betrayal and trust, reality and illusion, Invisible Ties keeps the reader hooked till the very end. Sprinkled with historical references and political undertones, the novel seems to read like a Bildungsroman tracing the physical as well as the psychological journey of Noor, its protagonist. " - Kitaab Magazine
"The mastery over imagery, combined with Nadya's elegant and fluid writing makes this book a must-read." - Mahesh Bhatt
"Evocative and vividly described" - Shobhaa De
"Replete with a richness of detail that bring scenes and situations to life" - Salman Tarik Kureshi
She is married and has two children. Nadya divides her time between Singapore and Pakistan. She plans to do a doctorate in post-trauma stress disorder and study different theoretical models to understand its impact on people and their environment. Through her writing, she wants to make a positive change in the world. Currently, she is busy researching for, ‘The Sanctuary’, her next novel.
Nadya loves to interact with her readers, and the link to her facebook page is https://m.facebook.com/nadya.ar.official
Praise for 'Invisible Ties'
"The interplay of emotions and relationships is something that stands out in this book. The characters emotions are explored in detail, their trials and tribulations and compromises make for a fascinating read. Perhaps, its good that this story has been kept ordinary and hasn’t resorted to unnecessary grandeur. The simplicity is what makes it unique." - New Asian Writing
"A scintillating saga of longing and desire, love and lust, betrayal and trust, reality and illusion, Invisible Ties keeps the reader hooked till the very end. Sprinkled with historical references and political undertones, the novel seems to read like a Bildungsroman tracing the physical as well as the psychological journey of Noor, its protagonist. " - Kitaab Magazine
"The mastery over imagery, combined with Nadya's elegant and fluid writing makes this book a must-read." - Mahesh Bhatt
"Evocative and vividly described" - Shobhaa De
"Replete with a richness of detail that bring scenes and situations to life" - Salman Tarik Kureshi
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 164 reviews
September 25, 2017
Invisible Ties is a story of a girl Noor. Noor spent most of his childhood in the company of household helpers and caretakers. Her secret companion is an antique jade mirror she stole from her mother’s collection. Turns of events and familial pressure made her submit to her mother’s wish to marry Meekaal Kalim and start a new life in Singapore, reluctantly.
The thing which impressed me the most is this is no ordinary or regular story of a girl and his journey and the way it is told is impressive and praiseworthy. When you will read the story you can actually read the mind of the girl; Noor. The impeccable style of narrating the human emotions makes it a must read.
The heart of the story is the narrative style and the brain of the story is its plotline. The writing style is fluid and graceful. If you want to read a beautifully written contemporary fiction and a story that can drive you. Pick this book. It has everything a reader look for in a book to escape from the reality of the daily life. Nadya will make you lose yourself with her vivid writing.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
The thing which impressed me the most is this is no ordinary or regular story of a girl and his journey and the way it is told is impressive and praiseworthy. When you will read the story you can actually read the mind of the girl; Noor. The impeccable style of narrating the human emotions makes it a must read.
The heart of the story is the narrative style and the brain of the story is its plotline. The writing style is fluid and graceful. If you want to read a beautifully written contemporary fiction and a story that can drive you. Pick this book. It has everything a reader look for in a book to escape from the reality of the daily life. Nadya will make you lose yourself with her vivid writing.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
July 13, 2018
Around a month back, I received a mail from a company named ‘Keemiya Creatives’, asking me to review this book. I read the blurb, which seemed intriguing, and I accepted their offer.
I am constantly on the lookout for good literary fiction coming out from India, as I have discovered a few literary gems that sadly couldn’t achieve the level of popularity they deserved, unlike the cheesy commercial fiction books ruling the market. I had hoped that this particular book would fulfill that criterion, but sadly, it failed to do so.
From the first couple of chapters itself, I was left confused. Many things were happening, and I couldn’t decode them. It was all going over my head. However, once the story moved to the past that was set in Pakistan, things settled a bit, and I could make sense of what was happening. I think the part set in Pakistan is the strongest part of the story. It is well-written, and the characters are given a decent introduction. However, once the protagonist moves to Singapore, things start worsening due to the inexplicable and annoying actions of the characters.
A big problem with this book is the excessive description. I should be the last person to complain, though, due to two solid reasons. Firstly, two of my favorite authors, Renita D’Silva and Chitra Divakaruni, both are descriptive authors. I like to get a sense of the surroundings, the smell, the taste of the food, the complete package, which both authors are exceptional at doing without making them feel needless. Secondly, as mentioned by most of the reviewers of my book ‘The Fragile Thread of Hope’, I am guilty of deviating towards excessive descriptions myself sometimes. Yet, the descriptions in this book were overdone, even for me. It actually distracted me almost throughout the book, making me feel less for the characters. Also, the author tries to include history in almost every description, even giving her understanding of why, how, and when the structure/place was built. That is totally unnecessary and it marred what could have been a very good book.
Also, the characters are very vague and irritating. Most of their actions don’t make sense, and the results are quite jarring and unsatisfying. And I didn’t like how the author describes them. There are virtually no scenes in which the characters actually reflect on their actions, making us feel their point of view. They are just thrust into scenes, where the author crushes them under verbose description and sudden revelations and meetings with characters and the artificial, forcibly philosophical dialogues. I mean, people don’t speak like that in reality. The author needs to observe people speaking or just use her common sense for once. People normally talk in casual language and don’t use literary language (using nouns and verbs, which is good for writing prose and should be avoided from dialogue as much as possible). The worst part is that history even seeps into the dialogues, characters talking about Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan, the history of Singapore, etc. in detail, totally turning the reader off. I’m sorry for being so blunt, but this is just my honest opinion.
The story was actually quite good—a woman bound by a suffocating marriage—but the lack of emotions and the other factors mentioned above spoiled it. Also, there was no use of the mirror in the book, which is supposed to be a major part of the book, particularly since it is used in the cover. There are attempts at comedy, but I didn’t find them funny at all.
But if we ignore the excessive descriptions, the language is good overall. I liked the use of metaphors and the use of nouns and verbs instead of adverbs and adjectives (which is a good practice). I couldn’t find any grammatical mistakes, and the punctuation was also proper throughout. This grammatical correctness is also important for me in a book, apart from the story of course.
The author comes across to be quite talented and her command over the language is good. If she just learns how to lessen the descriptions, flesh out the characters a bit more, and simplify her dialogues, I’m sure she can write a wonderful novel next time. Sadly, I didn’t quite like this book, so I cannot give more than 2.75 stars.
I am constantly on the lookout for good literary fiction coming out from India, as I have discovered a few literary gems that sadly couldn’t achieve the level of popularity they deserved, unlike the cheesy commercial fiction books ruling the market. I had hoped that this particular book would fulfill that criterion, but sadly, it failed to do so.
From the first couple of chapters itself, I was left confused. Many things were happening, and I couldn’t decode them. It was all going over my head. However, once the story moved to the past that was set in Pakistan, things settled a bit, and I could make sense of what was happening. I think the part set in Pakistan is the strongest part of the story. It is well-written, and the characters are given a decent introduction. However, once the protagonist moves to Singapore, things start worsening due to the inexplicable and annoying actions of the characters.
A big problem with this book is the excessive description. I should be the last person to complain, though, due to two solid reasons. Firstly, two of my favorite authors, Renita D’Silva and Chitra Divakaruni, both are descriptive authors. I like to get a sense of the surroundings, the smell, the taste of the food, the complete package, which both authors are exceptional at doing without making them feel needless. Secondly, as mentioned by most of the reviewers of my book ‘The Fragile Thread of Hope’, I am guilty of deviating towards excessive descriptions myself sometimes. Yet, the descriptions in this book were overdone, even for me. It actually distracted me almost throughout the book, making me feel less for the characters. Also, the author tries to include history in almost every description, even giving her understanding of why, how, and when the structure/place was built. That is totally unnecessary and it marred what could have been a very good book.
Also, the characters are very vague and irritating. Most of their actions don’t make sense, and the results are quite jarring and unsatisfying. And I didn’t like how the author describes them. There are virtually no scenes in which the characters actually reflect on their actions, making us feel their point of view. They are just thrust into scenes, where the author crushes them under verbose description and sudden revelations and meetings with characters and the artificial, forcibly philosophical dialogues. I mean, people don’t speak like that in reality. The author needs to observe people speaking or just use her common sense for once. People normally talk in casual language and don’t use literary language (using nouns and verbs, which is good for writing prose and should be avoided from dialogue as much as possible). The worst part is that history even seeps into the dialogues, characters talking about Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan, the history of Singapore, etc. in detail, totally turning the reader off. I’m sorry for being so blunt, but this is just my honest opinion.
The story was actually quite good—a woman bound by a suffocating marriage—but the lack of emotions and the other factors mentioned above spoiled it. Also, there was no use of the mirror in the book, which is supposed to be a major part of the book, particularly since it is used in the cover. There are attempts at comedy, but I didn’t find them funny at all.
But if we ignore the excessive descriptions, the language is good overall. I liked the use of metaphors and the use of nouns and verbs instead of adverbs and adjectives (which is a good practice). I couldn’t find any grammatical mistakes, and the punctuation was also proper throughout. This grammatical correctness is also important for me in a book, apart from the story of course.
The author comes across to be quite talented and her command over the language is good. If she just learns how to lessen the descriptions, flesh out the characters a bit more, and simplify her dialogues, I’m sure she can write a wonderful novel next time. Sadly, I didn’t quite like this book, so I cannot give more than 2.75 stars.
July 31, 2019
It is astonishing - Invisible Ties by Nadya A R is sophisticated both in its subject matter and the way in which the story is told. It actually took me a little while to get into the swing of things - whose story is italicized? what is their relationship to the rest of the story?? But it was a good kind of lost - the kind of lost where you are in an interesting part of town with attractive people and cute little knickknack shops, not the kind of lost where you are late to a job interview in the wrong goddamned borough.
And toward the middle, the plot became a little predictable, but that didn't even matter, because by that point I was so enmeshed in these characters' lives - I just wanted everything to work out for them, even though I knew this was not going to be the kind of book with a tidy-sweet ending.
Author Nadya created powerfully three-dimensional characters that I cared about and hated to close the book on. Truly - it has been a while since i have fought sleep. I love sleep - I needed sleep. but I forced myself awake to keep reading this, and when I finally had to give in, it was with the deepest resentment.
Invisible Ties is a rich and emotionally complicated tale, and you will love every minute of it.
And toward the middle, the plot became a little predictable, but that didn't even matter, because by that point I was so enmeshed in these characters' lives - I just wanted everything to work out for them, even though I knew this was not going to be the kind of book with a tidy-sweet ending.
Author Nadya created powerfully three-dimensional characters that I cared about and hated to close the book on. Truly - it has been a while since i have fought sleep. I love sleep - I needed sleep. but I forced myself awake to keep reading this, and when I finally had to give in, it was with the deepest resentment.
Invisible Ties is a rich and emotionally complicated tale, and you will love every minute of it.
June 3, 2019
Invisible Ties by Nadya A R is an incredible, heart-breaking read that really messes with your mind until the very end. The writing, while not for everyone I'm sure, had me mesmerized. It's so different and poetic and full of carefully crafted imagery. It's a writing style that's really out of the box, you'll either love it or hate it. Me, I was thoroughly compelled.
When I first started reading the book, I was a little put off, feeling it was an extremely pretentious novel. Nadya's descriptions were crisp and precise, often using words that one rarely hears spoken or even read. But that only remained within the first two pages, because after that I became absorbed. The writing that I was a little sketchy about at first helped me visualize the setting and get to know the characters. There are a few times I was confused about the timeline, but it did not upset me.
The writing was unique and although it may not suit everyone’s taste, I relished it. I thought the author’s use of descriptive imagery was creative and applied with a gentle hand—nothing over-the-top or showy.
The story is told through the voice of an emotional, and dejected girl, Noor, and the writing remained consistent with her distinctive perspective. It was poetic and profound—drifting in as a gentle breeze and building to the swirling force of a hurricane. It may not knock your socks off, but it certainly took my breath away.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a plot that persuades you to wonder. To readers who can accept the bittersweet circumstances of life displayed within their fiction. This is a character-driven novel, But the story shines brighter. I fully connected with character, Noor, and the fact that I was moved to tears by the finish is what made this a five-star read for me.
Although I found this story entirely unique, if I had to compare, I’d say its structure reminds me a bit of On the Jellicoe Road. Its haunting tone, as well.
A truly addictive, out-of-the-box read!
When I first started reading the book, I was a little put off, feeling it was an extremely pretentious novel. Nadya's descriptions were crisp and precise, often using words that one rarely hears spoken or even read. But that only remained within the first two pages, because after that I became absorbed. The writing that I was a little sketchy about at first helped me visualize the setting and get to know the characters. There are a few times I was confused about the timeline, but it did not upset me.
The writing was unique and although it may not suit everyone’s taste, I relished it. I thought the author’s use of descriptive imagery was creative and applied with a gentle hand—nothing over-the-top or showy.
The story is told through the voice of an emotional, and dejected girl, Noor, and the writing remained consistent with her distinctive perspective. It was poetic and profound—drifting in as a gentle breeze and building to the swirling force of a hurricane. It may not knock your socks off, but it certainly took my breath away.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a plot that persuades you to wonder. To readers who can accept the bittersweet circumstances of life displayed within their fiction. This is a character-driven novel, But the story shines brighter. I fully connected with character, Noor, and the fact that I was moved to tears by the finish is what made this a five-star read for me.
Although I found this story entirely unique, if I had to compare, I’d say its structure reminds me a bit of On the Jellicoe Road. Its haunting tone, as well.
A truly addictive, out-of-the-box read!
July 31, 2019
I'm gonna be honest, when I first started reading Invisible Ties by Nadya A R, I didn't find myself immediately drawn into the story. I was like that new kid in a group that's sort of hanging out on the edge of conversation, listening but not really participating.
But then I saw the light.
Things started to come together for me once Noor began to pursue the truth of her past. But looking back, the beginning being on the slower side gave me a chance to get to know the characters and so I'm not going to say that it's a bad thing overall.
Once I started realizing what was going on, who was who, and why certain things were relevant... Damn. My heart was beating so fast while making these discoveries, and they are all individually and magnificently devastating.
Invisible Ties is a book that slowly sinks its claws into you, and before you know it you're caught. And once you're caught, there's no getting out until the end.
Such a wonderfully genuine and heartfelt story, with characters that come walking right out of the pages to meet you. This book is an intricately woven web of love and tragedy.
I'm so glad that I've read this, and I feel it will have an impact on me long after I write this review.
But then I saw the light.
Things started to come together for me once Noor began to pursue the truth of her past. But looking back, the beginning being on the slower side gave me a chance to get to know the characters and so I'm not going to say that it's a bad thing overall.
Once I started realizing what was going on, who was who, and why certain things were relevant... Damn. My heart was beating so fast while making these discoveries, and they are all individually and magnificently devastating.
Invisible Ties is a book that slowly sinks its claws into you, and before you know it you're caught. And once you're caught, there's no getting out until the end.
Such a wonderfully genuine and heartfelt story, with characters that come walking right out of the pages to meet you. This book is an intricately woven web of love and tragedy.
I'm so glad that I've read this, and I feel it will have an impact on me long after I write this review.
July 31, 2019
Invisible Ties by Nadya A R is the kind of book that slowly sucks you in, and at first, you may be unsure if you want to go on but before you know it, it's already swallowed you whole.
And I'm not sure I ever want to get out of the abyss of emotions and just plain rawness this book snared out of me.
And it's not like there's some blatant, profound message here that's changed my life. It's not like I hadn't already started to pin the pieces of the puzzle early on for myself. It's the sheer beauty and mastery with which Author Nadya constructs this tiny little world and its complex characters who don't feel like characters at all because that's how deep in you are. It's that constant air of enigma and enchantment, that underlying presence of hope mixed with tragedy that draws you in so very thoroughly; all presented without the need for tasteless dramatics, maudlin behavior or overattention to romance.
To me, reading this book felt like a journey. An experience in and of itself. And quite frankly, the first time, in a long time, that I've been taken away to that far away place we all go to with the simple power of words.
Word of advice— suitably apt mood music will make reading this endlessly more exhilarating. Do it. Trust me.
And I'm not sure I ever want to get out of the abyss of emotions and just plain rawness this book snared out of me.
And it's not like there's some blatant, profound message here that's changed my life. It's not like I hadn't already started to pin the pieces of the puzzle early on for myself. It's the sheer beauty and mastery with which Author Nadya constructs this tiny little world and its complex characters who don't feel like characters at all because that's how deep in you are. It's that constant air of enigma and enchantment, that underlying presence of hope mixed with tragedy that draws you in so very thoroughly; all presented without the need for tasteless dramatics, maudlin behavior or overattention to romance.
To me, reading this book felt like a journey. An experience in and of itself. And quite frankly, the first time, in a long time, that I've been taken away to that far away place we all go to with the simple power of words.
Word of advice— suitably apt mood music will make reading this endlessly more exhilarating. Do it. Trust me.
July 31, 2019
There are some books which are virtually impossible to explain, and Invisible Ties by Nadya A R is one of them. The book summary gives no indication what the book is really about, and truth be told, I'm not sure you'd want to know what the book is about before reading it.
The first part of the book is only giving you glimpses of the player's lives and their world.
All I can do is echo the voices of those who prodded me to read the book - DON'T GIVE UP. You will not forget this book. You will not regret reading. It is so worth the read.
As the story unfolds, the author starts giving us a crumb of information, then another, then another. Slowly the pieces of a broken story come together as one revelation follows another in a wave - a very emotional wave at that. Just when you think you've heard it all, more starts to come. Then more, then more.
Pay attention to every single character. Just about every person's life is intertwined with the other characters in this story except the Mirror. Undeniably, the writing is brilliant. It's evocative and tender, it makes the emotions in each page almost tangible. The characters are drawn brilliantly too
This is not a book for people who want a straightforward love story with a dash of drama. This is for people who want to appreciate good writing, and don't mind losing a little bit of themselves between the covers of a book in the process.
The first part of the book is only giving you glimpses of the player's lives and their world.
All I can do is echo the voices of those who prodded me to read the book - DON'T GIVE UP. You will not forget this book. You will not regret reading. It is so worth the read.
As the story unfolds, the author starts giving us a crumb of information, then another, then another. Slowly the pieces of a broken story come together as one revelation follows another in a wave - a very emotional wave at that. Just when you think you've heard it all, more starts to come. Then more, then more.
Pay attention to every single character. Just about every person's life is intertwined with the other characters in this story except the Mirror. Undeniably, the writing is brilliant. It's evocative and tender, it makes the emotions in each page almost tangible. The characters are drawn brilliantly too
This is not a book for people who want a straightforward love story with a dash of drama. This is for people who want to appreciate good writing, and don't mind losing a little bit of themselves between the covers of a book in the process.
January 20, 2018
Invisible ties is a beautifully written book and a great piece of contemporary literature. The most memorable thing about the book is the character of Noor Kamal. She is like an ordinary girl, but yet there is a certain mystery about her. After reading the book, I really applaud how the author unveils the whole mystery behind her. I felt that there was simplicity in the author's prose, and yet her choice of themes and use of imagery had a strange depth. I also thought that there was an unusual quality to this book like something that has not been done before, despite the main theme being arranged marriage and so many books written on this subject. This book can be read aloud in classrooms and should be added to libraries as there is so much to learn about South Asian culture and history from it. I loved the descriptions of clothes, places, food, trees, animals, which made the story real for me and feel as if I was living the whole situation described in the book. The pacing and plotting of the novel was superb. Invisible Ties is a book for everyone. It really is a literary gem, and a keepsake which should be treasured on your personal bookshelf...
July 31, 2019
I love the detailing and plot building of Invisible Ties; nothing was left to speculation. I think, for me, that was one of the most adhering and important things about this book. The ending was resolute, unshakable and haunting and It left me with answers and a crater sized indentation in my heart.
There was that awkward stage when I found it hard to connect dots, and understand the significance of the story and most of what was being poured in, but, after the passing of that stage, I was falling into the pages of this book.
There was so much love embedded in the story, there was friendship, and ties that bind, and sadness, and god-awful heartbreak. This book was one with a really fascinating quality about it.
This book was strange. It was emotional. It was full of epiphanies. It was about belonging, about love, and about heart ache. It was about a girl looking for her mother. It was about depending on others. It was about depending on yourself. It was about Noor and her Family and her relationships. It was about the past and the present and the future. It was about family.
There was that awkward stage when I found it hard to connect dots, and understand the significance of the story and most of what was being poured in, but, after the passing of that stage, I was falling into the pages of this book.
There was so much love embedded in the story, there was friendship, and ties that bind, and sadness, and god-awful heartbreak. This book was one with a really fascinating quality about it.
This book was strange. It was emotional. It was full of epiphanies. It was about belonging, about love, and about heart ache. It was about a girl looking for her mother. It was about depending on others. It was about depending on yourself. It was about Noor and her Family and her relationships. It was about the past and the present and the future. It was about family.
July 10, 2018
It usually takes me around 10 days to finish a good book, and a whole month to finish a boring one, there’s no in between. But it took me only about a week to finish Invisible Ties, I think you can figure out already on how much I genuinely liked this book.
I found Invisible Ties to be a very beautiful and a very sophisticated novel. Every word, every sentence had unfathomable meanings, most of which made me think. It made me think about the things I never usually thought seriously about. It made me think about the elite society that we heedlessly consider to be in a privileged position yet never give a second thought about them being possibly caged in their world of being picture-perfect.
There are so many things I want to say about the female lead, Noor. But words cannot describe how much I admired her and her courage in every situations and decisions she made. She was a like a superhero without any magical powers even though she struggled in every step of her journey, especially after she left her hometown.
All the vivid descriptions about cities, architectures and delicious meals made me wish to visit all those countries described in the book myself.
My favorite quote: “Pain has so boundaries and suffering has no borders”
I will give Invisible Ties a 4 out of 5 stars.
About the book: As Karachi burned in the 1990s, the painfully shy Noor Kamal found refuge in an antique jade mirror stolen from Daisy, her social butterfly mother. One fateful day, the violence hits home as a motley crew of burglars storm the Kamal residence, killing Joseph, the faithful driver who tried to shield Noor and kidnapping Daisy in the process.
Traumatized by the turn of events and succumbing to familial pressure, Noor reluctantly agrees to start life afresh in Singapore as the wife of Meekaal Kalim, an investment banker. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Noor finds succour in studying psychotherapy.
A saga of love and trials, against a rich contrasting background, Invisible Ties is sure to appeal to the readers.
I found Invisible Ties to be a very beautiful and a very sophisticated novel. Every word, every sentence had unfathomable meanings, most of which made me think. It made me think about the things I never usually thought seriously about. It made me think about the elite society that we heedlessly consider to be in a privileged position yet never give a second thought about them being possibly caged in their world of being picture-perfect.
There are so many things I want to say about the female lead, Noor. But words cannot describe how much I admired her and her courage in every situations and decisions she made. She was a like a superhero without any magical powers even though she struggled in every step of her journey, especially after she left her hometown.
All the vivid descriptions about cities, architectures and delicious meals made me wish to visit all those countries described in the book myself.
My favorite quote: “Pain has so boundaries and suffering has no borders”
I will give Invisible Ties a 4 out of 5 stars.
About the book: As Karachi burned in the 1990s, the painfully shy Noor Kamal found refuge in an antique jade mirror stolen from Daisy, her social butterfly mother. One fateful day, the violence hits home as a motley crew of burglars storm the Kamal residence, killing Joseph, the faithful driver who tried to shield Noor and kidnapping Daisy in the process.
Traumatized by the turn of events and succumbing to familial pressure, Noor reluctantly agrees to start life afresh in Singapore as the wife of Meekaal Kalim, an investment banker. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Noor finds succour in studying psychotherapy.
A saga of love and trials, against a rich contrasting background, Invisible Ties is sure to appeal to the readers.
July 31, 2019
This book, Invisible Ties by Nadya A R, is not merely a reading experience; this book is a journey. One filled with two emotional plotlines, past and present, that overlap in places only to thread themselves together in a masterful and sad, yet agonizingly beautiful story.
This book is about finding yourself. About hating the world and cursing the universe for forcing you to exist when you're left abandoned by everyone else. About your whole life being a question mark. And about finally opening up to the world and embracing it to the fullest.
This book is about love, every kind of love. The one that's so intense it's everything to you. The one that's as natural as breathing. The one that you try to bury beneath excuses. And about the love for life, for living, despite it continuously trying to shove you down.
This book is about the ugliness of humanity. About abuse. About being parentless. About loss and about death.
Also, this book is about clever and magical storytelling. About how an author can enthral you with some words on a page and make you cry like you lost someone dear to you. About how she can twist your heart and make you curse out loud for (fictional) life being so unfair. About how she can give you Goosebumps and butterflies in your stomach and sighs and accelerated heartbeats.
Go for it. You won't regret.
This book is about finding yourself. About hating the world and cursing the universe for forcing you to exist when you're left abandoned by everyone else. About your whole life being a question mark. And about finally opening up to the world and embracing it to the fullest.
This book is about love, every kind of love. The one that's so intense it's everything to you. The one that's as natural as breathing. The one that you try to bury beneath excuses. And about the love for life, for living, despite it continuously trying to shove you down.
This book is about the ugliness of humanity. About abuse. About being parentless. About loss and about death.
Also, this book is about clever and magical storytelling. About how an author can enthral you with some words on a page and make you cry like you lost someone dear to you. About how she can twist your heart and make you curse out loud for (fictional) life being so unfair. About how she can give you Goosebumps and butterflies in your stomach and sighs and accelerated heartbeats.
Go for it. You won't regret.
July 15, 2018
The prudent systematic elucidation of the variegated themes that are woven with such delicacy and fine craftsmanship of words will make you feel one with the narration, the story of Noor.
Living in a world of insecurities, Noor finds an antique Jade mirror; that belongs to her mother; to house all her inner voices.
With the fall of events and her contorted destiny, she finds herself in a loveless marriage living in a foreign land, with psychotherapy serving her only ally in showing her the path to rediscover herself.
While walking on the path to redefine her existence she comes across her inner deeper perspective, it’s here the author brings to light the masquerades of her dwelling.
The detailing is unblemished. The characterisation undiluted by the plot. The author’s poetic take into the manacles of traditions is worth reading.
Living in a world of insecurities, Noor finds an antique Jade mirror; that belongs to her mother; to house all her inner voices.
With the fall of events and her contorted destiny, she finds herself in a loveless marriage living in a foreign land, with psychotherapy serving her only ally in showing her the path to rediscover herself.
While walking on the path to redefine her existence she comes across her inner deeper perspective, it’s here the author brings to light the masquerades of her dwelling.
The detailing is unblemished. The characterisation undiluted by the plot. The author’s poetic take into the manacles of traditions is worth reading.
June 30, 2018
Invisible ties is an story of a simple girl named Noor. Her journey of her childhood, living with her caretakers to a completely different world after getting married and shifting to Singapore.
The most impressive fact about the book is the plot and narration. The author has described the story in a very simple way.
The character of Noor is a very simple yet engaging. She is a girl with mystery. Her mirror that she took for her mother's closet is her only mate in the new world.
After a very long time, I have read a book soo beautifully written. The words choosen are apt. The cover depicts a lot about the story.
The book is a page turner and i recommend everyone to read it.!😊
The most impressive fact about the book is the plot and narration. The author has described the story in a very simple way.
The character of Noor is a very simple yet engaging. She is a girl with mystery. Her mirror that she took for her mother's closet is her only mate in the new world.
After a very long time, I have read a book soo beautifully written. The words choosen are apt. The cover depicts a lot about the story.
The book is a page turner and i recommend everyone to read it.!😊
September 27, 2017
'Invisible Ties' is a beautifully written, plot-driven novel. Though the plot may seem simplistic, it is the treatment given to it which makes the book unique. There are multiple themes running in the novel, migration, arranged marriages, autonomy of countries and self, history of south east asia, life and death, identity as a woman and above all humanity. Each theme is tied up in the story with ease and gradual exploration until the end. The characters though may seem familiar have been given depth with the issues and baggage that they bring to the story. Each character is there for a reason, to enable the growth of the female protagonist, Noor.
The story begins in Part one, in Malacca, where a confused Noor is searching for someone by the name of Uncle Joseph. While we are grappling with who this man is and have that curiosity to find out more, we are introduced to a toddler Noor in Karachi, and her interesting flashback. Brought up by maids and ignored by her parents, Noor is a modern day Cinderella who finds a jade antique mirror to voice all fears and internal insecurity. The description of her life style and scenes in Karachi are all real and life-like. This could be any girl's story. Many years later, a robbery and kidnapping of her mother, Daisy, and under family pressure Noor finds herself married to a taciturn, brooding investment banker, Meekaal Kalim, who lives in Singapore.
In Singapore, Noor tries to figure out why did Meekaal marry her? Her mother-in-law is a clever old woman, Aunty Banu, who thinks a timid Noor can be easily manipulated and makes her believe that Meekaal married her for all the wrong reasons. She meets Jyoti, her husband's ex-girlfriend, and that confirms that her husband is using her to be a companion and maid to her mother. He had no real feelings for her. So while doing a course in psychotherapy to help herself and figure out whether she should stay on in this sham marriage or go back home, she encounters her neighbour, a childless chinese woman, Ella, and a handsome American, Jake, who has lost his job and been jilted by his girlfriend.
Both Ella and Jake are people who change Noor's world view and perspective. This is the fusion of the East and West philosophy which is the shift which happens inside Noor. She empowers herself and starts negotiating with her husband. Now, the dynamics of the marriage change and Noor tries to figure out the way forward. I can totally relate to Noor on the marriage front. The Eastern marriage is always thought to be forever. Many educated girls also can't think of going back to their home because of the outlook of a backward society. But what was interesting in the book was that who was right in this marriage. They were a lot of shades of grey in it, as Noor was not as simple as she was portrayed in the beginning and her husband wasn't really a wife beater or abuser as such. Why did their expectations fall short in this marriage? This for me, was the crux of the novel and I though was covered with such sensitivity and rarity, which I have not really seen in other South Asian novels.
Other than that, the novel takes us to the historic Malacca, the decrepit Karachi, the haven of birds, trees and beauty, Singapore and then the contrasting London. I
And one feels, if one is really there in each and every place with the author guiding us through them and our imagination taking over us. 'Invisible Ties' is a visually cinematic novel and I wouldn't be surprised if it is made into a television series or a movie very soon. The novel is a must-read and should not be missed because of its sheer beauty and novelty.
The story begins in Part one, in Malacca, where a confused Noor is searching for someone by the name of Uncle Joseph. While we are grappling with who this man is and have that curiosity to find out more, we are introduced to a toddler Noor in Karachi, and her interesting flashback. Brought up by maids and ignored by her parents, Noor is a modern day Cinderella who finds a jade antique mirror to voice all fears and internal insecurity. The description of her life style and scenes in Karachi are all real and life-like. This could be any girl's story. Many years later, a robbery and kidnapping of her mother, Daisy, and under family pressure Noor finds herself married to a taciturn, brooding investment banker, Meekaal Kalim, who lives in Singapore.
In Singapore, Noor tries to figure out why did Meekaal marry her? Her mother-in-law is a clever old woman, Aunty Banu, who thinks a timid Noor can be easily manipulated and makes her believe that Meekaal married her for all the wrong reasons. She meets Jyoti, her husband's ex-girlfriend, and that confirms that her husband is using her to be a companion and maid to her mother. He had no real feelings for her. So while doing a course in psychotherapy to help herself and figure out whether she should stay on in this sham marriage or go back home, she encounters her neighbour, a childless chinese woman, Ella, and a handsome American, Jake, who has lost his job and been jilted by his girlfriend.
Both Ella and Jake are people who change Noor's world view and perspective. This is the fusion of the East and West philosophy which is the shift which happens inside Noor. She empowers herself and starts negotiating with her husband. Now, the dynamics of the marriage change and Noor tries to figure out the way forward. I can totally relate to Noor on the marriage front. The Eastern marriage is always thought to be forever. Many educated girls also can't think of going back to their home because of the outlook of a backward society. But what was interesting in the book was that who was right in this marriage. They were a lot of shades of grey in it, as Noor was not as simple as she was portrayed in the beginning and her husband wasn't really a wife beater or abuser as such. Why did their expectations fall short in this marriage? This for me, was the crux of the novel and I though was covered with such sensitivity and rarity, which I have not really seen in other South Asian novels.
Other than that, the novel takes us to the historic Malacca, the decrepit Karachi, the haven of birds, trees and beauty, Singapore and then the contrasting London. I
And one feels, if one is really there in each and every place with the author guiding us through them and our imagination taking over us. 'Invisible Ties' is a visually cinematic novel and I wouldn't be surprised if it is made into a television series or a movie very soon. The novel is a must-read and should not be missed because of its sheer beauty and novelty.
March 26, 2018
I just finished this book last night and I feel like there is a little bit of Noor in all of us. The dreamer who puts her parents wishes and happiness before her own. There is also a bit of Mikaal in all of our husbands. Their mothers comforts come before ours. Eventually, we learn to detach ourselves and find our own way to happiness and fulfillment.
A great read which kept me hooked the whole week!
A great read which kept me hooked the whole week!
October 24, 2018
First and foremost, I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this literary gem.
Have you ever read a book ,that gets better & better each page flies by ? With each chapter ,each word I became emotionally invested because writer is an artistic storyteller.
🖋️
The story is about the journey of a girl named Noor , her self discovery,sociatal healing and the transfiguration from her errie and dark past.this is a story which makes you question on the complexities of society .
I was fascinated and 100% imbued in the live of Noor . you'll cry, empathize,,angry ,be shocked and learn throughout her journey. I liked ,the way such a simple things got an extraordinary description by author.
🖋️
This book has been put together every details very skillfully with not just descriptive way but astounding presentation as well.
🖋️
You can easily connect with the protagonist (if you are a female)being explained in the book at some point.besides protagonist , others characters are also strong with diverse personalities and equal importance given to all of them throughout the book.
🖋️
Cover is really seductive. Her poetic use of language is staggeringly great,leaves you feeling like you have been assulted by brilliance from many perspectives.
🖋️
It was my first book from the author ,____ must say she left no stone unturned to impress.
🖋️
You should definitely read this book,if you want to explore different culture, to find yourself in the story , to relate with the feelings what the character in the story feel, finally to surge you a emotions which will leave you contented after you finish reading .
🖋️
Have decided to read the previous book written by the author.
Have you ever read a book ,that gets better & better each page flies by ? With each chapter ,each word I became emotionally invested because writer is an artistic storyteller.
🖋️
The story is about the journey of a girl named Noor , her self discovery,sociatal healing and the transfiguration from her errie and dark past.this is a story which makes you question on the complexities of society .
I was fascinated and 100% imbued in the live of Noor . you'll cry, empathize,,angry ,be shocked and learn throughout her journey. I liked ,the way such a simple things got an extraordinary description by author.
🖋️
This book has been put together every details very skillfully with not just descriptive way but astounding presentation as well.
🖋️
You can easily connect with the protagonist (if you are a female)being explained in the book at some point.besides protagonist , others characters are also strong with diverse personalities and equal importance given to all of them throughout the book.
🖋️
Cover is really seductive. Her poetic use of language is staggeringly great,leaves you feeling like you have been assulted by brilliance from many perspectives.
🖋️
It was my first book from the author ,____ must say she left no stone unturned to impress.
🖋️
You should definitely read this book,if you want to explore different culture, to find yourself in the story , to relate with the feelings what the character in the story feel, finally to surge you a emotions which will leave you contented after you finish reading .
🖋️
Have decided to read the previous book written by the author.
December 10, 2018
Invisible Ties (3.5/5)
.
Invisible Ties is Novel by
.
Let's talk about cover first. Mirror always shows the true side of person. When I saw the book I decided to read this. Though cover is eye catching.
.
This book is divided into 3 parts. First and sencond parts are little bit short. The main and importants part is 3rd one which changed my mind about this book.
.
Our protagonist noor spent her childhood in the company of caretaker. One fine day she stole mirror from her mother's collection. Then family thing happens and they move to Singapore.
.
The problem with first couple of chapter is I was trying to decode what's really going on in story. I'm the person who don't like starting chapter then I skip the book. Just because this book divided into 3 parts I continued.
.
Ones the story moved ahed things are little bit clear to make sense. The little bit of reference from the past and why they moved to Singapore those are the part are well written. She witness murder, her mother gets kidnapped.
.
The best thing about book is character development and story writing style. How our protagonist make her life as she want. Talk about many good things like deal with mental issue, love, life and death. As always the best part comes in end where I felt all emotional for noor.
.
This book gonna loose point just because of mirror part. I don't understand why there is mirror on cover not significance in book plus. Author please cut down unnecessary description in upcoming book.
.
Though I enjoy this book💕 go for this if you love contemporary fiction
.
.
Invisible Ties is Novel by
.
Let's talk about cover first. Mirror always shows the true side of person. When I saw the book I decided to read this. Though cover is eye catching.
.
This book is divided into 3 parts. First and sencond parts are little bit short. The main and importants part is 3rd one which changed my mind about this book.
.
Our protagonist noor spent her childhood in the company of caretaker. One fine day she stole mirror from her mother's collection. Then family thing happens and they move to Singapore.
.
The problem with first couple of chapter is I was trying to decode what's really going on in story. I'm the person who don't like starting chapter then I skip the book. Just because this book divided into 3 parts I continued.
.
Ones the story moved ahed things are little bit clear to make sense. The little bit of reference from the past and why they moved to Singapore those are the part are well written. She witness murder, her mother gets kidnapped.
.
The best thing about book is character development and story writing style. How our protagonist make her life as she want. Talk about many good things like deal with mental issue, love, life and death. As always the best part comes in end where I felt all emotional for noor.
.
This book gonna loose point just because of mirror part. I don't understand why there is mirror on cover not significance in book plus. Author please cut down unnecessary description in upcoming book.
.
Though I enjoy this book💕 go for this if you love contemporary fiction
.
August 2, 2018
The moment I laid my eyes on the book cover of ‘Invisible Ties by Nadya A.R’ I knew I had to have this book…
You can call it Love at first sight or smitten by its good looks, I had a huge crush on it. And I had the feeling that it was going to be a very interesting read.
Was I wrong? Nope!.
First 2-3 chapters were kind of confusing, I was left baffled. I had to re-read the chapters again to understand. However once past those hurdles, the book turned out to be a very good read.
The protagonist’s excursion from Karachi to Singapore to London is a heartwarming journey. The story revolves around Noor - a woman bound by a suffocating marriage. Under family pressure she finds herself married to a selfish man Meekal Kaleem, whose only reason to marry her was that she could be an unpaid maid to his mother. She made new friends Ella and Jake while doing her course. Both of her newfound friends change her outlook towards life.
What I liked about the book
What made the book so interesting is its characters, they have many shades to them. Characters are fluidly woven into the story like silk threads. I learned and loved so much about the History, Food and Culture as me being a sucker for History and culture it was as if I was in the sideline of the story enjoying every aspect of it.
What I didn’t like about the book
I didn’t like it’s first 3 chapters, it was like I was trying to decode a mystery. The narration was dragging in some places.
My recommendation
It's for those who loves reading contemporary fiction...
You can call it Love at first sight or smitten by its good looks, I had a huge crush on it. And I had the feeling that it was going to be a very interesting read.
Was I wrong? Nope!.
First 2-3 chapters were kind of confusing, I was left baffled. I had to re-read the chapters again to understand. However once past those hurdles, the book turned out to be a very good read.
The protagonist’s excursion from Karachi to Singapore to London is a heartwarming journey. The story revolves around Noor - a woman bound by a suffocating marriage. Under family pressure she finds herself married to a selfish man Meekal Kaleem, whose only reason to marry her was that she could be an unpaid maid to his mother. She made new friends Ella and Jake while doing her course. Both of her newfound friends change her outlook towards life.
What I liked about the book
What made the book so interesting is its characters, they have many shades to them. Characters are fluidly woven into the story like silk threads. I learned and loved so much about the History, Food and Culture as me being a sucker for History and culture it was as if I was in the sideline of the story enjoying every aspect of it.
What I didn’t like about the book
I didn’t like it’s first 3 chapters, it was like I was trying to decode a mystery. The narration was dragging in some places.
My recommendation
It's for those who loves reading contemporary fiction...
September 30, 2019
I had heard a lot about Invisible Ties and readers raving about it. Also, the magnificent cover has always intrigued me. So when I got an opportunity to review it, I was more than happy to do it. But to my dismay, the book didn't come out as well as I anticipated.
The book revolves around Noor who is shy, timid, and had a sad childhood. Her mom usually blabbers and her father is indebted to her mother. Her life turns upside down when a burglary takes place at her house and she loses her driver, Uncle Joseph, whose ghost haunts her. She's married off to an obnoxious man Meekal and moves to Singapore. Her mother-in-law gives her a hard time and consequently, she reveals that this loveless marriage happened only to get a nurse for mother-in-law.
I began the book with high expectations and it all came crashing down. I was a bit impressed when the curtains raised but as the show went on, I was utterly confused about what was happening in the book. The protagonist Noor left me baffled. I just could not understand what did she want. Agreed that she's a feeble character but then, there had to be some substance. It took me a while to adjust to the backdrop of the book and as the story progressed, I thought of confronting something serious and substantial. Alas! I found nothing.
The characters with their eccentric personalities didn't impress me. The concept of loveless marriage mirrors the truth of the society but fails to elicit a reaction out of me. I found over detailing of the clothes and places digressing the readers from the main plot. Moreover, the dialogues in the story containing vague meanings didn't create an impact. Honestly, they were unnecessary and shallow. The equations of Noor with other characters were strangely unclear to me. By the end, I was just wondering what was the highlight of the whole book and how in the world the title is related to all of it.
But keeping my rant aside, I commen the author for her impeccable writing and flawless narration. Her command over language is absolutely charming. I would have loved the book had there been a convincing plot along with the fancy narrative.
The book revolves around Noor who is shy, timid, and had a sad childhood. Her mom usually blabbers and her father is indebted to her mother. Her life turns upside down when a burglary takes place at her house and she loses her driver, Uncle Joseph, whose ghost haunts her. She's married off to an obnoxious man Meekal and moves to Singapore. Her mother-in-law gives her a hard time and consequently, she reveals that this loveless marriage happened only to get a nurse for mother-in-law.
I began the book with high expectations and it all came crashing down. I was a bit impressed when the curtains raised but as the show went on, I was utterly confused about what was happening in the book. The protagonist Noor left me baffled. I just could not understand what did she want. Agreed that she's a feeble character but then, there had to be some substance. It took me a while to adjust to the backdrop of the book and as the story progressed, I thought of confronting something serious and substantial. Alas! I found nothing.
The characters with their eccentric personalities didn't impress me. The concept of loveless marriage mirrors the truth of the society but fails to elicit a reaction out of me. I found over detailing of the clothes and places digressing the readers from the main plot. Moreover, the dialogues in the story containing vague meanings didn't create an impact. Honestly, they were unnecessary and shallow. The equations of Noor with other characters were strangely unclear to me. By the end, I was just wondering what was the highlight of the whole book and how in the world the title is related to all of it.
But keeping my rant aside, I commen the author for her impeccable writing and flawless narration. Her command over language is absolutely charming. I would have loved the book had there been a convincing plot along with the fancy narrative.
July 31, 2019
This is a sweet story. Author Nadya wraps you up from the very beginning. And not giving answers for half a book is a risky move but somehow it worked perfectly. Mixed with interesting characters and smart dialog, Invisible Ties not only as an interesting and bittersweet story but an emotional ride all way through. It is not a mystery masterpiece and I did see some of the plot twists coming, but by then I was really into Noor’s life so it didn’t bother me much.
I loved the way that Author Nadya build up the story surrounding Noor's past and how it affects her current state. This was probably the main reason why I loved reading “Invisible Ties”.
Overall, “Invisible Ties” by Nadya A R is a truly emotional and engaging novel that anyone love reading young adult novels about real characters dealing with real life will love this book
I loved the way that Author Nadya build up the story surrounding Noor's past and how it affects her current state. This was probably the main reason why I loved reading “Invisible Ties”.
Overall, “Invisible Ties” by Nadya A R is a truly emotional and engaging novel that anyone love reading young adult novels about real characters dealing with real life will love this book
June 24, 2018
Before going into the book itself, I must comment on the beautiful book cover! It has a cottony texture and had a feminine touch to it. All the objects displayed on the cover had a significant relation to the story inside.
Now, coming to the plot and the characters, we come across Noor, a shy, humble, kind - hearted girl who grew up in a household with several servants to fulfill the chores, but no one to caress her with compassion. Her mother, Daisy prefers to be a social butterfly and her father, too, has little time to spare for his child as he is busy in establishing his position in the competing workplace.
As Noor reaches her teens, people around her gossip on her skin complexion and personality and how she is not up to the mark for a marriage! She is made to take a course she doesn't like just so that her mother can brag about it in her numerous kitty parties. To make matters worse, she is coerced by her mother and aunt to marry a person she has never met and settle abroad so that Daisy can show her friends that her daughter is eligible for fortunate marriage proposals too.
But, this time Noor doesn't give way to her mother's pressures and vehemently disagree to this marriage with a stranger. However, things go awry and the consequences are beyond Noor's expectations.
What befalls on the household? And how does it impacts all of their lives? What does Noor's destiny has in store for her? Is she able to forgive and forget her past demons? It is for you to find out!
Now, coming to the plot and the characters, we come across Noor, a shy, humble, kind - hearted girl who grew up in a household with several servants to fulfill the chores, but no one to caress her with compassion. Her mother, Daisy prefers to be a social butterfly and her father, too, has little time to spare for his child as he is busy in establishing his position in the competing workplace.
As Noor reaches her teens, people around her gossip on her skin complexion and personality and how she is not up to the mark for a marriage! She is made to take a course she doesn't like just so that her mother can brag about it in her numerous kitty parties. To make matters worse, she is coerced by her mother and aunt to marry a person she has never met and settle abroad so that Daisy can show her friends that her daughter is eligible for fortunate marriage proposals too.
But, this time Noor doesn't give way to her mother's pressures and vehemently disagree to this marriage with a stranger. However, things go awry and the consequences are beyond Noor's expectations.
What befalls on the household? And how does it impacts all of their lives? What does Noor's destiny has in store for her? Is she able to forgive and forget her past demons? It is for you to find out!
June 30, 2018
The story revolves around Noor; the protagonist and her journey from Karachi to Singapore stopping at London in midway. Noor is forced to marry Meekaal and start her life again. But does marrying Meekaal really help Noor in living her life and bringing it back on track? The story is highly relatable as it portrays the other side of society and finding marriage as the last option to everything. Engrossing story with well-developed characters and simple yet intriguing writing style keeps the reader engrossed till the end.
Also, the transition of Noor from Karachi to London and then to Singapore is narrated in a beautiful way. The narration of cultures is commendable as it makes the book more engrossing.
Beautiful story wrapped in descriptive writing style, good narration as an icing makes it a perfect read for monsoon season. Grab a copy and travel through the world with this beautiful book.
Also, the transition of Noor from Karachi to London and then to Singapore is narrated in a beautiful way. The narration of cultures is commendable as it makes the book more engrossing.
Beautiful story wrapped in descriptive writing style, good narration as an icing makes it a perfect read for monsoon season. Grab a copy and travel through the world with this beautiful book.
May 12, 2018
check full review here: http://www.vidhyathakkar.com/bookrevi...
Invisible ties is a story of Noor who faces many things in life. Finally, when Noor starts a new life after her wedding, there starts a whole new story. The book is about Noor and her struggle of self-discovery.
Well, first of all, I loved the title and the cover of the book. It's so attractive and interesting. Coming towards the story. This is a different type of story and is unique. The plot of the story is strong and innovative. each chapter has its own importance. The grip of the story is good. one can easily connect with the story and can visualize each and everything. The way this story is portrayed is amazing. the language used by the author is simple, smooth and super interesting. The pace of the story is lil slow, as the story gets lil heavy for the reader in the middle. The flow of the story is smooth and crisp. The story has been written choosing simple words and with the depth that this story is written is commendable. The vocabulary is strong and the story is well edited. The characters of the story is something I loved. Be it daisy, lily or Noor's character, each of them had their own importance. There are various themes in the story. Relationships, self-discovery, history, love and many such themes. The story is well narrated by the author. it's simple, smooth and easy to read and catch up with the story. the dialogues are well written and each and every incident are written in a crisp way. The author has provided minute details of everything which is again a plus.
overall, This story is a must-read book. It has that strong vocab, simple language, strong characters, crisp narration and it has a depth meaning. it's a great piece of contemporary literature.
Invisible ties is a story of Noor who faces many things in life. Finally, when Noor starts a new life after her wedding, there starts a whole new story. The book is about Noor and her struggle of self-discovery.
Well, first of all, I loved the title and the cover of the book. It's so attractive and interesting. Coming towards the story. This is a different type of story and is unique. The plot of the story is strong and innovative. each chapter has its own importance. The grip of the story is good. one can easily connect with the story and can visualize each and everything. The way this story is portrayed is amazing. the language used by the author is simple, smooth and super interesting. The pace of the story is lil slow, as the story gets lil heavy for the reader in the middle. The flow of the story is smooth and crisp. The story has been written choosing simple words and with the depth that this story is written is commendable. The vocabulary is strong and the story is well edited. The characters of the story is something I loved. Be it daisy, lily or Noor's character, each of them had their own importance. There are various themes in the story. Relationships, self-discovery, history, love and many such themes. The story is well narrated by the author. it's simple, smooth and easy to read and catch up with the story. the dialogues are well written and each and every incident are written in a crisp way. The author has provided minute details of everything which is again a plus.
overall, This story is a must-read book. It has that strong vocab, simple language, strong characters, crisp narration and it has a depth meaning. it's a great piece of contemporary literature.
March 15, 2018
I found the beginning of this book unusual and haunting, and that is what drew me into the story. It was like a jigsaw puzzle and piece by piece, the story unfolded in a very systematic and dramatic way. 'Invisible Ties' is storytelling at its best! The protagonist of the story, a young girl, Noor, seems like an ordinary girl but as you read on, you realize that they are layers to her. And slowly, one gets to know the real and congruent her. I loved the character of Noor, as I could relate to how cultural norms tie her down but yet they also ground her. And she was brave despite being alone in a foreign land, and stood up to her cold husband and dictatorial mother-in-law. Realistic characterization, rich and beautiful scenery, gems of wisdom and intermingling of cultures in a new and novel way, is what makes this book so different and distinctive from anything I have read in a long time. I really loved everything about this book and keenly await Nadya's next novel!
May 5, 2018
Invisible Ties showcases a journey full of conflicting emotions and moods of a Karachiite girl, Noor Kamal. Her journey is a saga of love and longing against a rich contrasting background. The different stages of her life have been beautifully encapsulated with a rich imagery and the use of a mélange of adjectives and verbs.
The writer has chosen a non-linear structure for her novel as it is divided into three parts. The first part covers Noor’s traumatic experiences in Malacca where she is in a search of her beloved late Uncle Joseph and while searching for him she meets the guard (in the guise of a taxi driver) who not just murdered Joseph but also abducted Noor’s mother Daisy for a while. To read my complete review of "Invisible Ties" for International Policy Digest , check out this link : https://intpolicydigest.org/2018/05/0...
The writer has chosen a non-linear structure for her novel as it is divided into three parts. The first part covers Noor’s traumatic experiences in Malacca where she is in a search of her beloved late Uncle Joseph and while searching for him she meets the guard (in the guise of a taxi driver) who not just murdered Joseph but also abducted Noor’s mother Daisy for a while. To read my complete review of "Invisible Ties" for International Policy Digest , check out this link : https://intpolicydigest.org/2018/05/0...
January 18, 2018
A.R. Nadya’s spellbinding new novel is a riveting examination of love and loss. At the heart of the tale is the compelling character study of Noor Kamal. What’s not there to love about Noor? She is at once familiar, yet remains an enigma. Nadya’s prose deftly captures the heart and soul of Noor as she tries to break free from the shackles of tradition and her painful past. The changing backdrops from Karachi to Singapore accentuate her shifting moods and emotions. A melancholic, but strangely beautiful read. In the years to come, Noor will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the finest protagonists to come out of South Asian literature.
October 3, 2018
What I liked -
Aesthetically a very beautifully designed book along with binding , font sizes , presentation are excellent.
Small chapters which prove to be easy for a reader like me.
Smooth narration.Breezy read .The sentimental moments were intricately described .
The plot is made rich with vivid backgrounds of Pakistan , Singapore , Malaysia , London which kept the read intriguing.
Characters are well developed.
The imaginary backgrounds were easy to picturize in mind which were decorated with careful choice of ornamental words and details.
And at last how the self discovering and healing journey of Noor prove to be was beautiful.
Aesthetically a very beautifully designed book along with binding , font sizes , presentation are excellent.
Small chapters which prove to be easy for a reader like me.
Smooth narration.Breezy read .The sentimental moments were intricately described .
The plot is made rich with vivid backgrounds of Pakistan , Singapore , Malaysia , London which kept the read intriguing.
Characters are well developed.
The imaginary backgrounds were easy to picturize in mind which were decorated with careful choice of ornamental words and details.
And at last how the self discovering and healing journey of Noor prove to be was beautiful.
March 4, 2019
'Invisible Ties' can take a reader in a journey that will help you explore yourself with the protagonist Noor Kamal. Noor transforms from a girl, who fights the ties that holds her down, to a woman who is ready to take a stand for herself and fight her world. She breaks free from every single ties that's holding her down from moving ahead in life. Along with the protagonist, we learn that following our dreams is important than fulfilling the expectations of family. Noor is not just a fictional character well chiseled by the author; we find parts of her in all of us fighting our demons. This is more than the physical journey; we grow along with the character taking a mental journey to become a person acceptable not just by the world outside, but first by ourselves.
The author captures the attention of the readers through her vivid description of the settings and the emotions that the characters experience. She has added new essence and color to the familiar issues that Noor faces in the novel. Right from the cover of the novel till the author's note, the author has cast her spell to draw the reader and make them dive into her story. The book itself is like the Jade mirror of Noor soothing us and being a companion in need.
This book is a must read if you want a story that is deep and interesting at the same time.
The author captures the attention of the readers through her vivid description of the settings and the emotions that the characters experience. She has added new essence and color to the familiar issues that Noor faces in the novel. Right from the cover of the novel till the author's note, the author has cast her spell to draw the reader and make them dive into her story. The book itself is like the Jade mirror of Noor soothing us and being a companion in need.
This book is a must read if you want a story that is deep and interesting at the same time.
September 4, 2019
Some books are so deep that it will leave you pondering over it long after you finish it. This is surely one of those books and much more.
First thing ,which will attract you to this book is it's beautiful cover.
It's so eye catching and inscribed with beautiful flowery pastern with an unique mirror in centre. I really loved it and left all my work and started reading it .
This book has a strong story line and a much stronger narrative. It takes some time to get hold on story and once you get hold I bet you couldn't leave it till you finish it. You will want to devour it to know what happened next? And you will want to savour it to enjoy the poetic beauty and deep meaning within words.
It is Story is of A Pakistani girl,Noor Mahal , who comes from a Regal background and spent her childhood mostly neglected due to her parent's hectic social life. She got hold of her mother's mirror and got attached to it deeply. She Carried it all through her life ,wherever she goes.
She spent her life among continuously changing maids and got attached to her old chauffeur as he is only solid rock all through her life . But ,in a robbery in her house he lost his life in order to save her life .
Traumatized by the turn of events and succumbing to familial pressure, Noor reluctantly agrees to start life afresh in Singapore as the wife of Meekaal Kalim, an investment banker. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Noor finds succour in studying psychotherapy.
Her attempt to heal others brings her close to Ella, her neighbour and Jake, a handsome American who is struggling to deal with his emotional breakdown.
How she deal with all her troubles and situation and emerged stronger is all this story is about . You have to read it to know it's beauty .
I will reccomend this book to everyone who wants to read a beautifully narrated book.
The story is unique and intriguing. I am really smitten with the story of Noor . And on top of it she even think sometimes along the same line as I. Especially her searching logic in Tajmahal. I Loved her immensely!!
A fabulous read!!
First thing ,which will attract you to this book is it's beautiful cover.
It's so eye catching and inscribed with beautiful flowery pastern with an unique mirror in centre. I really loved it and left all my work and started reading it .
This book has a strong story line and a much stronger narrative. It takes some time to get hold on story and once you get hold I bet you couldn't leave it till you finish it. You will want to devour it to know what happened next? And you will want to savour it to enjoy the poetic beauty and deep meaning within words.
It is Story is of A Pakistani girl,Noor Mahal , who comes from a Regal background and spent her childhood mostly neglected due to her parent's hectic social life. She got hold of her mother's mirror and got attached to it deeply. She Carried it all through her life ,wherever she goes.
She spent her life among continuously changing maids and got attached to her old chauffeur as he is only solid rock all through her life . But ,in a robbery in her house he lost his life in order to save her life .
Traumatized by the turn of events and succumbing to familial pressure, Noor reluctantly agrees to start life afresh in Singapore as the wife of Meekaal Kalim, an investment banker. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Noor finds succour in studying psychotherapy.
Her attempt to heal others brings her close to Ella, her neighbour and Jake, a handsome American who is struggling to deal with his emotional breakdown.
How she deal with all her troubles and situation and emerged stronger is all this story is about . You have to read it to know it's beauty .
I will reccomend this book to everyone who wants to read a beautifully narrated book.
The story is unique and intriguing. I am really smitten with the story of Noor . And on top of it she even think sometimes along the same line as I. Especially her searching logic in Tajmahal. I Loved her immensely!!
A fabulous read!!
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