Girl in Scarlet Hijab

A gripping political thriller set in 1981 Kerala, Girl in Scarlet Hijab unravels rebellion, identity, and hope through a fearless heroine’s rise.

on May 18, 2025

Suresh U. Kumar, in his explosive first novel Girl in Scarlet Hijab, gives a masterclass in political fiction, combining historical fiction with riveting revolutionary suspense. Against the explosive background of 1981 Cochin, Kerala, this novel is an urgent examination of youth rebellion, systemic oppression, and the indomitable force of hope.

The story takes place with a city in flames and a student-led blockade halting the attack of the home minister's convoy outside a hospital where a great freedom fighter is critically ill—a blurry-eyed assassination victim in what seems to be a highly orchestrated political assassination. Kumar's story then proceeds with the speed of a thriller and the heart of a revolution from this point onwards.

At the center of the rebellion is a mysterious young woman shrouded in a red hijab. Unnamed throughout most of the book, her presence is as intriguing as she is elusive. She dominates the page with steel determination, strategic acumen, and a visceral emotional complexity that makes her both the heart and the mind of the resistance. Her transition from the shadows to the limelight is nothing less than iconic.

What distinguishes Girl in Scarlet Hijab is its capacity to stay grounded in local political and cultural detail yet appeal to universal themes—sacrifice, betrayal, resistance, and identity. Kumar's writing is both urgent and lyrical, sweeping readers along in a maelstrom of speeches, secret meetings, and conspiratorial late nights. But he never loses sight of the human narratives underneath the headlines—the youth discovering voices, the aged comrades facing long-held regrets, and a nation poised on the edge of change.

Gleaning heavily from his own life as a student political activist and now a world-renowned entrepreneur and educator, Kumar colors this imaginary revolution with an authenticity that only a lived viewpoint can provide. The author's close familiarity with Kerala's socio-political landscape and his general knowledge of systemic power structures give the novel a rare credibility and resonance.

Girl in Scarlet Hijab is not simply a coming-of-age story or a political thriller—it's a call to action. It teaches us that tiny flames frequently spark revolutions, that bravery can masquerade in a thousand different forms, and that history is not made by leaders alone, but by those willing to stand alongside them.

Strongly recommended for readers who enjoy richly layered characters, high-stakes action, and tales where every decision counts.