Girls Burn Brighter

“Shobha Rao writes cleanly and eloquently about women who, without their brightness, might have been left to die in their beds. She writes them into life, into existence, into the light of day.”—Los Angeles Times

“Incandescent . . . A searing portrait of what feminism looks like in much of the world.”—Vogue

“Rao’s feminist commentary is particularly potent.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Shobha Rao’s debut novel is nothing less than a masterpiece . . . Almost unbearably beautiful, Rao’s portrayal of female resilience in the face of unimaginable trials is a potent reminder that power, like love, comes in many forms.”—iBooks

“A treat for Ferrante fans, exploring the bonds of friendship and how female ambition beats against the strictures of poverty and patriarchal societies.”—The Huffington Post

“Girls Burn Brighter is the kind of book you open and fall into…Rao’s debut is a high achievement.”—KQED, San Francisco

“Rao layers her debut novel with issues that face many young women worldwide, from street harassment and domestic abuse to oppressive societal norms.”—Ms. Magazine

“A confident debut novel set in India and America about the unbreakable bond between two girls. From the menacing nooks of India's underworld to the streets of Seattle, this searing novel traces the nuances of adulthood and the enduring power of childhood bonds.”—The Chicago Review of Books

“Enchanting . . . The resplendent prose captures the nuances and intensity of two best friends on the brink of an uncertain and precarious adulthood . . . An incisive study of a friendship’s unbreakable bond.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This powerful, heart-wrenching novel and its two unforgettable heroines offer an extraordinary example of the strength that can be summoned in even the most terrible situations.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Highly recommended for book discussion groups, this tale of sacrifice, exploitation, and reclamation is not to be missed.”—Library Journal (starred review)