Hungarian-British author David Szalay has captured the 2025 Booker Prize with his latest novel, Flesh. This is Szalay’s sixth book, and it dives deep into the life of István, a man navigating his youth and midlife. The judges praised the novel, with panel chair Roddy Doyle stating, “We had never read anything quite like it.” He described it as a dark yet joyful read.
Szalay’s story begins with a shocking incident involving teenage István as he lives with his mother in Hungary. The narrative follows him through military service and into London, where he works for the wealthy. The book touches on themes like masculinity, class, trauma, and power, all presented in Szalay’s concise writing style.
This win is significant, as Szalay previously found himself shortlisted in 2016 for All That Man Is. At the award ceremony in London, he received the £50,000 prize, which the judges awarded unanimously. Doyle noted, “The book shines a light on a working-class man who often goes unnoticed.”
Critics have appreciated the raw emotion of Flesh. Keiran Goddard from the Guardian remarked that the novel addresses the profound questions of life. He emphasized Szalay’s ability to deliver spare, impactful prose.
Notably, Flesh topped a competitive shortlist that included Andrew Miller’s The Land in Winter and Kiran Desai’s The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny. Doyle hinted that there were other strong contenders but chose not to specify them, which he believed would be unfair.
Szalay, born in Montreal to a Hungarian father and a Canadian mother, has lived across various countries, including Lebanon and the UK. His upbringing and diverse experiences have surely influenced his writing. After graduating from Oxford, Szalay began his career in financial advertising, a backdrop that informed his debut novel.
In a recent Guardian article, Szalay shared that Flesh emerged after abandoning a prior project. His goal was to encapsulate the physical reality of existence before exploring deeper themes.
This win also marks a milestone for his publisher, Jonathan Cape, which has now garnered ten Booker Prize victories, the most of any imprint. Recent winners include Orbital by Samantha Harvey and Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.
The literary community is buzzing about Szalay’s achievement, highlighting the ongoing relevance of discussing working-class narratives in today’s literature. As societal roles expand and shift, Flesh invites readers to understand the complexities of life through István’s experiences.
