In a candid conversation with Eve Jackson on arts24, British-Hungarian author David Szalay opens up about his critically-acclaimed and controversy-ridden novel "Flesh", which catapulted him to literary stardom.
Szalay describes his book as 'risky' - a term he uses cautiously, but aptly, to convey the bold and unconventional nature of his storytelling. The novel's protagonist, István, is an enigmatic figure who defies traditional notions of heroism: silent, violent, and unsettling, yet somehow endearing to readers.
Despite István's stark persona, Szalay attributes the book's success to its ability to elicit empathy from its audience. "You have to make the reader care about someone who says 'OK' 400 times," he emphasizes. This is no easy feat, as it demands that readers invest emotionally in a character whose actions and motivations are often opaque.
Szalay attributes this emotional connection to his nuanced exploration of masculinity in crisis, wealth's corrosive power, and the uncomfortable questions that arise when we ponder what makes a life worth living. "I wanted to challenge my readers," he reveals, "to confront their own assumptions about humanity and the world around them."
The novel's impact extends beyond literary circles, as Szalay notes that Stormzy and Dua Lipa have both championed his work, further cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon. This phenomenon has sparked debate and discussion, not only among readers but also within the music industry.
As the conversation draws to a close, it becomes clear that "Flesh" is more than just a novel - it's a catalyst for introspection, a mirror held up to our collective fears, anxieties, and desires. With its daring narrative and unflinching exploration of the human condition, Szalay's book has left an indelible mark on literature, forever altering the way we think about ourselves and our place in the world.
Szalay describes his book as 'risky' - a term he uses cautiously, but aptly, to convey the bold and unconventional nature of his storytelling. The novel's protagonist, István, is an enigmatic figure who defies traditional notions of heroism: silent, violent, and unsettling, yet somehow endearing to readers.
Despite István's stark persona, Szalay attributes the book's success to its ability to elicit empathy from its audience. "You have to make the reader care about someone who says 'OK' 400 times," he emphasizes. This is no easy feat, as it demands that readers invest emotionally in a character whose actions and motivations are often opaque.
Szalay attributes this emotional connection to his nuanced exploration of masculinity in crisis, wealth's corrosive power, and the uncomfortable questions that arise when we ponder what makes a life worth living. "I wanted to challenge my readers," he reveals, "to confront their own assumptions about humanity and the world around them."
The novel's impact extends beyond literary circles, as Szalay notes that Stormzy and Dua Lipa have both championed his work, further cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon. This phenomenon has sparked debate and discussion, not only among readers but also within the music industry.
As the conversation draws to a close, it becomes clear that "Flesh" is more than just a novel - it's a catalyst for introspection, a mirror held up to our collective fears, anxieties, and desires. With its daring narrative and unflinching exploration of the human condition, Szalay's book has left an indelible mark on literature, forever altering the way we think about ourselves and our place in the world.
I just finished reading this interview with David Szalay and I gotta say, his book "Flesh" sounds SO intense 
! The fact that it's made people care about a character who doesn't even speak much is wild to me 
. And the way he talks about exploring masculinity in crisis and wealth's corrupting power... it's like he's speaking right to my soul 
.
! It just goes to show that literature can be so much more than just words on a page - it can change our perspectives and challenge us to think differently about ourselves and the world around us. 
! I mean, who wouldn't wanna read about a silent, violent dude who's like the anti-hero? 
But for real tho, what resonates with me is how he explores these deep themes of masculinity and wealth, it's like he's holding up this mirror to our society and making us confront our own flaws. 
And can we talk about the timing of all this with Stormzy and Dua Lipa championing his work? It's like the literary world and music scene are colliding in a beautiful way 
!
I love how he says the protagonist István is "endearing" - like, what does that even mean in this context? 
. I love how he highlights the importance of empathy & emotional connection with his characters - it's like, if you don't feel anything for István, then what's the point? 
They're always pushing boundaries in music, and it's awesome to see them championing literary works that spark meaningful conversations 
his protagonist istván is literally the most complex character i've ever come across - so much is left unsaid about him, but that's what makes him so damn fascinating 
it's like he's this silent void that just sucks you in and refuses to let go 
and szalay's exploration of masculinity and wealth is just so thought-provoking 
for me, flesh was more than just a book - it was an experience 
i felt like szalay was holding up this mirror to humanity and asking all these uncomfortable questions that we'd rather not answer 
It's crazy to me that István's silence can be so powerful in evoking emotions from readers... like, what even is that? 
It's also wild to think about the cultural impact this book has had on Stormzy and Dua Lipa 
I mean, have you tried to search for books by David Szalay on here? Forget about it! You'd think with all the literary discussions happening online, someone would update the search function... Anyway, back to Szalay's novel "Flesh". Honestly, I kinda get why it's been a topic of debate. The way he explores themes like masculinity and wealth's corrupting influence is really thought-provoking... but at times it feels like you need a degree in literary theory to fully appreciate it 
What bothers me though is that the platform doesn't even have an easy way for users to discuss the book without getting lost in a sea of unrelated posts 
And can we please get more features for authors and creators? It'd be great to see them engage with their audience directly 
but at the same time, it's so true that we gotta invest emotionally in characters or else they're just cardboard cutouts 
i'm still trying to process what szalay is really getting at with this masculinity thing... is he saying men are inherently toxic or what? 
Stormzy and Dua Lipa getting involved is just a marketing ploy in my book, but hey, who am I to judge? The fact that people are having "culture" conversations about it says more about the state of society than the book itself... 