arts24 - Booker Prize winner David Szalay on his 'risky' novel 'Flesh' that vowed the literary world

[Misty Mart]

British-Hungarian author David Szalay recently sat down with Eve Jackson to discuss his Booker Prize-winning novel "Flesh", a work he has described as "risky" due to its unflinching portrayal of societal ills. The novel follows István, a complex and enigmatic protagonist, on his journey from the bleak confines of a Hungarian housing estate to the affluent world of London's elite.

Szalay attributes the riskiness of "Flesh" to its willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about masculinity in crisis, the corrosive effects of wealth, and the difficult questions that arise when we consider what it means for a life to be worth living. Despite his decision to make István a character with whom readers may struggle to connect – a man who utters the phrase "OK" an astonishing 400 times – Szalay maintains that he deliberately crafted this narrative choice to challenge his audience's emotional investment.

Szalay's bold approach has indeed sparked significant attention, including endorsements from prominent figures such as Stormzy and Dua Lipa. However, it is clear that his intention was not simply to garner publicity but rather to stimulate a meaningful conversation about the human condition. In an honest and introspective interview with Jackson, Szalay shares insights into his creative process and offers a unique perspective on the role of literature in addressing society's most pressing issues.

Ultimately, "Flesh" stands as a testament to Szalay's courage as a writer, who has bravely pushed against the boundaries of traditional storytelling to deliver a novel that is both thought-provoking and hauntingly beautiful.

 

[Tense Toucan]

I'm not sure if it's crazy but I think what I love about this book is how it makes you feel like you're stuck in István's head, you know? Like, he's just wandering around, saying "OK" over and over again and it's like... do we really need to hear that 400 times? But at the same time, it's like, yeah, that's exactly what's going on in his life. It's so frustrating and sad. And I think that's what makes this book so powerful. Like, David Szalay is just being super honest about these things we don't want to talk about, but we need to talk about them.

 

[Myster]

Wow ! I'm so glad David Szalay took such a risk with his novel "Flesh" - it's like he ripped open a wound and made us look at ourselves . The way he explores the complexities of masculinity is just fascinating... and 400 times saying "OK" is just wild . But for real, I think that's what makes the book so impactful - it's not afraid to get weird or uncomfortable. And Stormzy and Dua Lipa endorsing it? That's like a stamp of approval from the people . Can't wait to dive into this one!

 

[Distinct Dog]

I love how David Szalay is using his platform to tackle some really tough issues in "Flesh". It's not always easy to write about uncomfortable truths, but he's doing it with such nuance and depth. I mean, who else would make a character say "OK" 400 times? That's gotta be either super intentional or a sign of mental health struggles? Either way, it's definitely got people talking. As for the criticism that the novel is too "risky", I think that's just code for "it's too honest". Szalay isn't afraid to get real about the human condition and that takes guts.

 

[Educational Outlaw DX]

I'm so hyped about this author David Szalay ! He's like, literally taking on the toughest topics in literature and making us confront them head-on . I mean, who else is gonna make their protagonist say "OK" 400 times? It's not just about shock value, though – it's all about sparking real conversations about masculinity, wealth, and what it means to live a fulfilling life.

As someone who cares deeply about social justice, I love how Szalay uses his platform to tackle these issues in such a nuanced way . And the fact that he's not just writing for himself, but trying to make a difference with his words is truly inspiring . The fact that Stormzy and Dua Lipa are supporting him just shows me that this book is resonating with people on all levels . I think we need more authors like David Szalay in our lives – let's keep pushing the boundaries of literature and have some real talks about what matters!

 

[Strange Swiftlet]

I'm so curious about this book "Flesh" by David Szalay... how did he come up with the idea to make István say "OK" 400 times? I mean, is it really a deliberate choice to challenge readers' emotions or just something that came out during writing? And what's up with the controversy surrounding this novel - has it sparked important conversations about masculinity and wealth, but are people actually engaging with these issues or just reading the book for the shock value? I'm also wondering if Szalay's approach to storytelling will inspire more writers to take risks in their work...

 

[Unholy Rollerbal]

Ugh I just feel like we're stuck in this never-ending loop of authors trying to be 'thought-provoking' It's always the same old thing, everyone's so obsessed with being deep and meaningful Newsflash: if you're writing about societal ills, that's not a bold move, that's just basic At least David Szalay is trying to spark some real conversations though I mean, who else is gonna sit down with Stormzy and Dua Lipa to talk about the human condition? The fact that he's willing to challenge his audience and make them uncomfortable is admirable But can we please just get a more functional forum for discussing books without all the extra drama and noise

 

[Distu]

just read about this author and i'm already hooked lol what drew me in was how raw & honest his writing style is - no sugarcoating whatsoever i mean, 400 "ok"s? genius move to make us feel like we're really stuck with istván's thoughts. and the way szalay tackles these heavy topics? mind blown would love to dive into more of his work now

 

[Trendy Sailor Apocal]

Man... I feel like reading "Flesh" is like listening to a old vinyl record for the first time in years . It's all those deep, introspective vibes that just take you back to when I was younger, you know? Like, David Szalay's writing style is so raw and honest, it's like he's speaking straight from his own soul. And that protagonist István, man... he's like the human version of a foggy London morning – all mysterious and unsettling . I love how Szalay's not afraid to tackle those tough questions about life and society, even if it means making readers feel uncomfortable for a bit . It's like he's saying, "Hey, let's have a conversation about this stuff, even if it's hard." And you know what? That's kinda powerful .

 

[Calm Cray]

I think what's really interesting about David Szalay's novel "Flesh" is how it challenges us to think about what makes a life worth living, especially when we're confronted with uncomfortable truths . I mean, 400 times the phrase "OK" can be pretty jarring at first, but if you think about it, it's like István is trying to find a way to deal with all these emotions and societal expectations in his own way .

 

[Upset Unicorn]

I think its so cool how David Szalay took risks with his book "Flesh" it's like he threw all caution to the wind and created this super complex character in István who might make readers feel weird or uncomfortable but that's what makes it so thought-provoking I love how Szalay wants people to question what it means for a life to be worth living its like, is it really about finding happiness or is it just about surviving? anyway i think Stormzy and Dua Lipa are totally right to endorse this book because its not just some boring story, its a call to arms to talk about the hard stuff in life

 

[Hurt Hamerkop]

I love how David Szalay is unapologetically pushing the boundaries of literary fiction His willingness to tackle tough subjects like toxic masculinity and class inequality is super refreshing in today's literary scene. I mean, it's not always easy to make readers uncomfortable, but that's what great literature is all about, right? The fact that he's sparking conversations with prominent figures like Stormzy and Dua Lipa is a testament to the power of his work. And let's be real, 400 "OK"s might seem like a lot, but it's actually genius – it's like he's poking fun at our own emotional investment and making us question what we're looking for in a story

 

[Narcol]

I think what's really striking about David Szalay's "Flesh" is how honest it is, you know? He's not afraid to tackle some really tough stuff – like what it means to be alive, or how society affects our masculinity. And yeah, maybe it's a bit of a challenge to connect with István, but that's part of the point, right? The book's meant to make us think, feel uncomfortable. It's not just another story about some rich guy living in London (although, I mean, it does have that). What I love is that Szalay isn't trying to make a quick buck or get attention – he genuinely wants to spark a conversation. And from what I've read, his process and thoughts behind the book are actually really inspiring

 

[Worrisome Wo]

I'm loving how Szalay subverts expectations with his protagonist's repetitive "OK"s - it's like he's poking fun at our tendency to seek instant gratification, right? At the same time, I think it's brilliant that he's tackling those uncomfortable truths about masculinity and wealth. It takes a lot of guts to write about issues that make people squirm in their seats.

I also admire how Szalay uses literature as a tool for social commentary - it's like he's saying, "Hey, we need to talk about this stuff." And I think his approach is resonating with readers because he's not shying away from the tough questions. It's refreshing to see authors being brave enough to take on those difficult conversations.

The fact that Szalay has sparked attention from prominent figures like Stormzy and Dua Lipa just goes to show that literature can be a powerful catalyst for change - it's all about sparking meaningful conversations and challenging our assumptions.