TRANSMISSION

“Hi. I saw this and thought of you.” Those who clicked the attachment to this innocuous e-mail found a Bollywood star, the toothsome Leela Zahir, dancing across their computer screens. The virus unleashed did $50 billion in damages. “Lines of idle brokers chewed their nails in front of frozen screens. Network nodes winked out of existence.” Caught in the turmoil are the hapless Arjun Mehta, a computer geek from India in the U.S. on a slave visa, and a lonely Bollywood star--the selfsame gorgeous Leela Zahir. Kunzru's vision is wildly funny, never distant or cold. He reads with the precision and passion of a gifted actor. You'll take as much pleasure in the book as he does. It's a rare delight. B.H.C. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 05]