“With breathtaking lyricism and scorching insight, Kapur captures women in flux brilliantly. This profound book complicates the impact of colonialism and throbs with life. Inside the Mirror is an extraordinary novel.”—Jennifer Maritza McCauley, author of When Trying to Return Home

“Inside the Mirror is a complex and compelling story of a displaced family living in the shadow of post-Partition India. Parul Kapur has written a gorgeous novel about art, independence, and the roots that bind a family together.”—Devi S. Laskar, author of Circa and The Atlas of Reds and Blues

“Inside the Mirror is an extraordinary and moving story about twin sisters, Jaya and Kamlesh, as they struggle to pursue their passion and independence as women artists from a conservative society. Crafted with elegance and precision, and heartrending in its exploration of family drama, this novel is a beautiful and ambitious work of fiction.”—Brandon Hobson, National Book Award finalist and author of The Removed

“A sparkling jewel of a novel, Inside the Mirror follows twins Jaya and Kamlesh as they pursue artistic ambitions. Battling their own fears, the young women wrestle with the familial and cultural expectations holding them back. Even as relationships splinter and trust is broken, Jaya and Kamlesh bravely seek lives without limits, lives in which they attain the grace they have long deserved.”—Heather Bell Adams, author of Maranatha Road and The Good Luck Stone

“Parul Kapur’s compelling debut novel, Inside the Mirror, explores the tension between family bonds and the pursuit of artistic passion. Set against the backdrop of post-Partition Bombay, this meticulously researched story follows twins Jaya and Kamlesh as they grapple with the quest for self-expression within a tightly-knit community that has predetermined their life paths. Kapur expertly recreates the social complexities of 1950s Bombay, illustrating the profound impact each twin has on their family and community as they pursue their chosen vocations—painting for Jaya and dance for Kamlesh. Every decision they make comes with a sense of guilt and shame. In eloquent prose Kapur explores themes of women’s roles, the power of art, familial obligations, and the sacrifices entailed in seeking self-determination.”—Geeta Kothari, author of I Brake for Moose and Other Stories