Good Transmission this. Review on Transmission - Hari Kunzru

Whenever I am done reading a book which is not a mass market paperback, I try

to understand what is the deep meaning which has been hidden in this book by the writer.

We have Arjun Mehta, a typical programmer who is looking to come to the US to make the big bucks and who is also a closet hacker writing destructive viruses.

We have Leela Zahir, a film star, heart throb of the nation (and secret obsession of Arjun) who on the exterior is a successful film star but on the inside is suffocating under the pressure of stardom and a bossy mother.

We have Guy Swift, a poster boy for entrepreneurs around the world which is sexy gal pal, a condo in the most exclusive address and heading and ad/marketing agency called 'Tomorrow' But under the layers of success, we see that his ad agency and his success is crumbling fast.

Now how is it possible for these three to be entangled with each other is the story which lies inside a book with the cover reading ''Transmission''.

I never read Kunzru's first over-hyped book ''The Impressionist'' partly b'cos I do not like over-hyped books and partly b'cos a well read friend advised me not to waste my time.

But I do not regret reading his second work of fiction wherein a Indian programmer crazed with the idea of losing his low paying job in USA and going back releases a deadly virus which is spread by using a small music clip of Leela Zahir's booty shake in her hit movie, 'Naughty Naughty, Sexy Sexy'.

To know how this virus envelops Arjun, Leela and Guy in the ensuing mayhem has to be read to be believed.

This is a book about appearances and how they decieve. How everything that can seem perfectly calm at the surface contain a raging volcano underneath.

I am thoroughly satisified by Kunzru's writing and his imagination is firmly grounded in reality.

Avid readers do not miss this book.