The Red Helmet

"Whaaaaat? What did you just say?" "I want to get married." "No. No. That part is ok. Who did you say you want to marry, Dimpy?" I know, we Punjus have pretty tragic pet names, we will get into that later because the name ahead is way better. With that begins the story of a 23-year-old girl who has everything a 23-year-old can possibly hope for. A job which is taking her a step closer to her dream. Just when her professional stars seem perfectly aligned, this funny thing called love happens. Life changes overnight and she must make a choice. This inventive, irreverent, coming-of-age novel is a not so delightful romp through 1980s and early 1990s India. It talks about growing up at a certain time in an uncertain India. It speaks of loss, it speaks of love and the journeys it compels us to make. The Red Helmet marks the debut of a not so brilliant writer. But she'd like to assure you, if you buy this book, her next one will only get better.

"Although I now read books on the Kindle - this is one book I am waiting to buy. I met Deepika Shetty in 2011 and have been fascinated ever since by the ease with which she navigates her many avatars - art critic, movie fanatic, Sadee Saree evangelist, consummate wordsmith, and of course someone who - in spite of everything life has thrown at her and her family - never forgets to smile. The ability to draw courage from painful memories is rare and she reminds me of what Pat Conroy refers to in the evergreen Prince of Tides - "of memories that haunt us...and the truth that sets us free". Rock on, Deepika!"

- Jaydeep Chaudhuri, Singapore-based advertising professional