Lila.exe

Hari Kunzru was born in 1969 and grew up in Essex, near junction 26 of the M25. Later he took degrees in literature and philosophy, and did 'the usual rubbish jobs' while trying to get a book published. His journalism has appeared in The Guardian, Wired, iD, The Economist and the London Review of Books. He is music editor at Wallpaper magazine and a contributing editor at Mute magazine. In 1999 he was named Observer Young Travel Writer of the Year. His first novel The Impressionist was published in 2002 by Hamish Hamilton and has been translated into sixteen languages. He lives in London. 'Lila.exe' is an extract from his novel Transmissions.