Transmission

By: Hari Kunzru

Narrated by: Hari Kunzru

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Transmission, Hari Kunzru's new novel of love and lunacy, immigration and immunity, introduces a daydreaming Indian computer geek whose luxurious fantasies about life in America are shaken when he accepts a California job offer.

Lonely and naive, Arjun Mehta spends his days as a lowly assistant virus tester and pining away for his free-spirited colleague Christine. Arjun gets laid-off like so many of his Silicon Valley peers. In an act of desperation to keep his job, he releases a mischievous but destructive virus around the globe that has major unintended consequences. As world order unravels, so does Arjun's sanity, in a rollicking cataclysm that reaches Bollywood and, not so coincidentally, the glamorous star of Arjun's favorite Indian movie.

Award-winning novelist Hari Kunzru was hailed as a "modern-day Kipling," for his bestselling debut, The Impressionist. With this exuberant follow-up, Kunzru takes an ultracontemporary turn in a stylish, playful, and wicked exploration of life at the click of a mouse.

©2004 Hari Kunzru (P)2004 Simon and Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS, is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"Delectable...Mr. Kunzru writes with wry certitude and cinematic precision." (The New York Times)
"A sprawling, ambitious, shape-shifting novel...Kunzru proves himself a clever, sharply observant writer...much more than a brilliant satirist." (The Washington Post)

A complete entertaining experience

Mr. Kunzuru kept me smiling through the book. A satirical touch to technology driven immigrants, the Indian film industry, unsuccessful jargon pouting marketing geeks, venture capitalist, golf playing Arabs and the various manifestation of women in everyones lives. Thankfully, there is also a plot with many sub plots, which are quite interesting and amusing but the superb characterization and the narration is the winner. I could relate to all the characters in this book.

Only negative part about Mr. Kunzrus book is the prolonged description of places and events. While at some stages it was useful to visualize the complete scene where the protagonist lives and works to experience his escapades while at the other times the author would not relent until he had informed us about everything other than the brand of lubricating oil used for the swivel chairs in the room.

The book is well read. The author does this superbly! A cinematic experience!

This book will not disappoint anyone.

Very enjoyable

This book was a lot of fun. When I purchased the book, I wasn't sure if I could relate to the plight of Indian computer programmers. This book really draws you into the characters. The writing is skillful, and the plot engaging. Definitely worth it.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

Presents a realistic look at the hurdles faced by technical folks trying to immigrate to the US while at the same time telling a hilarious insider story of high-tech America. The related story of the marketing people affected by the virus lets us in on the buzzword filled conversations of marketing "wizards" in which nothing is ever said that makes sense. I recommend this book to anyone who likes computer or Internet related stories.

Pleasantly Surprising Good Listen

I've forgotten how I heard of this book. It's not often mentioned on lists of recommended audiobooks. Whatever path it took to get to me, I'm glad to have found it.
What strikes me is how original the story was, how compelled I was to listen and find out what was going to happen next. Also, it felt so current, the details so relevant. All in all, one of my favorite audiobook experiences.

Wonderful book

This was a wonderful book ... almost a "bonfire of the vanities" for the current tech world, only with some more personal aspects. The author was a fantastic narrator, and the book was fun and exciting. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Memorable

Author Hari Kunzru tells a funny yet believable story of a virus writer who becomes a legend, with authentic sideglances into the high-tech corporate world and the experience of an immigrant to America. Not only that, he is a superlative reader, with his rendition of the hero's Indian sister's newly acquired Australian accent (which she acquires as a customer service rep to make her Australian clientele more comfortable) conveyed with hilarious yet subtle accuracy. One looks forward to more from Kunzru, who might also be a good reader of the works of others.

Entertaining yet not very memorable

I enjoyed this book and really liked the modern elements that comprise the storyline. The narrator/author is very good. I recommend this book since it's present day and very entertaining but I have to say that I can't even remember the end and I listened to it very recently. It has a great way of weaving many characters from far and near together which is such a great reminder of how small the world has become.

A light listen

The narrator, also the author, does an excellent job of reading, really telling an excellent story. He conveys a mood and emotion that ranks with the best of the narrators that I have heard.

That said, this could best be called a "light" listen. There are a lot of characters and storylines in a short 9 hr audiobook, with probably too little time devoted to any one of them.

One of the best!

This is definitely one of the best audiobooks I have listened to, and I've already gotten multiple listens out of it. Kunzru does an amazing job reading his own book, and the story is sprawling and encompasses the whole globe. An interesting look at Indian movie stars, computer viruses, and the whole technocraze.

First time reviewer!

Transmission is the kind of book that reminds you why you read contemporary fiction instead of retreating to the safety of the classics. Kunzru's story is a total page-turner, but one elevated to the level of a modern fable by his amazing observations, beautiful language, and memorable characters. Digital life as filtered through the fine and ironic sensibility of a master. I hoarded the last hour, hardly wanting it to end. And Kunzru is an amazing reader, alternately Indian, English, Australian, American.....