David Szalay on Winning the Booker Prize for 'Flesh' and Exploring Masculinity

Winning the Booker Prize

• 🏆 David Szalay discusses the surreal and surreal moment of winning the Booker Prize for his novel "Flesh."
• 💡 He reflects on being previously shortlisted in 2016 for "All That Man Is" and how winning this time has begun to sink in.

The Novel 'Flesh'

• 📖 "Flesh" follows the protagonist Istvan from a Hungarian housing estate to the London elite, focusing on his passive, inarticulate, and violent nature.
• 🗣️ Despite saying "OK" around 400 times, readers become deeply invested in Istvan due to the extensive shared intimate and emotional experiences over decades.
• ✍️ The novel's shocking opening chapter, depicting Istvan's seduction by a neighbor, was the first part Szalay wrote and was intended to immediately grip the reader.

The Title and Themes

• 💥 The title "Flesh" was considered risky due to its vulgar and rough overtone, but ultimately chosen for its impact and reflection of the book's focus on life as a physical experience.
• 🎭 Szalay explores a "primitive form of masculinity" as described by a character, but notes Istvan is a complex figure, and the book's themes extend beyond just masculinity.
• 🌍 The novel also touches upon contemporary European issues such as Brexit, migration, and the end of communism.

Cultural Impact and Reception

• 🎤 Szalay shares his surprise and delight at having his book championed by music stars like Stormzy and Dua Lipa, noting the positive impact on sales and reach.
• 🤔 He discusses the moral risks within the novel, including a controversial scene involving the character Helen, and ultimately believes all characters are sympathetic on a human level.

Artistic Inspiration

• 🎨 Szalay's cultural pick is an exhibition on 17th-century painter Micolina Watier at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
• 🖼️ He is particularly fascinated by Watier's self-portrait, which depicts her semi-naked and held by a male figure, highlighting her unique portrayal of the female body compared to contemporaries like Rubens.