Girls Burn Brighter: A Novel

Incandescent...A searing portrait of what feminism looks like in much of the world.” —Vogue“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 PostAn electrifying debut novel about the extraordinary bond between two girls driven apart by circumstance but relentless in their search for one another.

Poornima and Savitha have three strikes against them: they are poor, they are ambitious, and they are girls.

After her mother’s death, Poornima has very little kindness in her life.

She is left to care for her siblings until her father can find her a suitable match.

So when Savitha enters their household, Poornima is intrigued by the joyful, independent-minded girl.

Suddenly their Indian village doesn't feel quite so claustrophobic, and Poornima begins to imagine a life beyond arranged marriage.