David Szalay on his Booker Prize-winning book Flesh

2025 BOOKER PRIZE WINNER Author of All That Man Is, longlisted for the 2016 Booker Prize, David Szalay discusses Flesh, a propulsive, hypnotic novel by the “uncommonly gifted” writer (The New York Times). Fifteen-year old István lives in a quiet complex in Hungary, but his life begins to spiral out of control as he begins a clandestine relationship with a married woman close to his mother’s age. Szalay traces the history of a perpetual outsider as he navigates a rags to riches journey from boyhood in Hungary to wealth and power in London—asking the questions what makes life worth living, and what breaks it. Recorded November 16, 2025 0:00-4:11 Introduction 4:11-48:02 Conversation 48:02-1:06:03 Audience Q&A