Transmission

Rating:
Summary: Melancholy Yet Satisfying
Review: When Arjun Mehta is offered a tech job working for an American software company, it's like a dream come true. Since Mehta began his love for computers at an early age in India, it was only natural that he'd be offered a job doing what he did best. The programmer imagines himself becoming the pride of his family, rich and successful. Once his H1B visa is approved; and he arrives to the U.S., the dream becomes a nightmare. Instead of fulfilling his dream, he ends up "on the bench," with other immigrants in a crowded apartment while waiting for a position to open up. When a job with a virus checking software company is finally offered, it doesn't take long for the realities of employment in the tech industry to set in, particularly the layoffs. When Arjun gets canned, he turns to drastic measures in order to keep his job. He unleashes a computer virus. So begins the plot for "Transmission" the latest book from London author Hari Kunzru (The Impressionist).

When Arjun's virus (named Leela after his favorite actress) is released, it is felt around the world, shutting down businesses, elevators, and ER departments. It causes so much havoc, the day it is released becomes known as Grayday, "an informational disaster, a holocaust of bits [where] a number of major networks dealing with such things as mobile telephony, airline reservations, transatlantic e-mail traffic and automated teller machines went down simultaneously."

The real Leela is affected by the virus as well. The twenty-one year old actress must squash rumors that the virus is a publicity stunt to help her promote her latest movie, while dealing with her overbearing celebrity mom.

The virus also affects romantic couple Guy Swift and Gaby Caro, the CEO of a marketing firm and a pr manager respectively. Guy, who relies on technology to drive home ideas to clients, must deal with the pressure from venture capitalists too succeed. He must also try to not to lose Gaby. Meanwhile, insatiable Gaby is given the task of handling Leela's bad press.

"Transmission" is a thought-provoking tale taken from a real-life story, reminiscent of an episode of TV's Law and Order. The author, much like Hemingway, is a master at painting an intricate picture. However, Kunzru describes a scene with such vivid detail that it tends to overload the story with uninteresting facts. Readers may find themselves searching for more dialogue. To top it off, there are a few words and phrases written in Hindi that may cause readers to feel they're not in on the joke. Though the language may be a tad high-brow for the average reader, the stimulating plot, absorbing characters, and melancholy yet satisfying conclusion makes it all worth while.