Invisible Walls

Book Details

• Publisher: Niyogi Books Pvt. Ltd.

• Author: Chandrika Balan

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 9789386906328

• Pages: 128

• Binding: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches

About the Book

Invisible Walls by Chandrika Balan weaves a poignant narrative about two women, Aparna and Kamala, whose lives run parallel but never intersect. Both women yearn for a world without boundaries, yet they are trapped by invisible walls that define and confine their existence. Their stories are brought together through Kamala’s reading of a book titled Invisible Walls on a train journey—a book about Aparna’s life, creating a story within a story that enriches the narrative.

Aparna’s journey begins as a student on a university campus in Delhi, surrounded by a close-knit group of friends. As her life progresses, she faces the suffocating constraints of an arranged marriage, where she struggles with the invisible walls of domesticity, especially as they tighten around her during pregnancy. Kamala, in contrast, is more confident and is part of a group of friends called the “Fourcentric Gang,” living a more liberated life that includes free sex. As Kamala reads Aparna’s story, her life takes an unexpected turn when she witnesses a pregnant woman being treated coldly by her husband on the train. Kamala’s sympathy for the woman is poignant, yet their paths never cross, and their lives continue in their separate directions.

Invisible Walls is a thought-provoking exploration of the invisible barriers that limit the lives of women, capturing their dreams, struggles, and resilience in a world that often defines their roles. This novel is a deep, reflective read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of relationships, society, and individual freedom.