David Szalay Wins 2025 Booker Prize for Powerful Novel “Flesh”

David Szalay’s novel, Flesh, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Booker Prize, a recognition that comes with a monetary prize of £50,000. The announcement took place during a ceremony in London on the evening of March 15, 2025, where last year’s winner, Samantha Harvey, presented the award. Szalay’s sixth work of fiction delves into themes of male sexuality, violence, migration, class, and power, painting a complex portrait of a man grappling with the forces that shape his life.

Set against the backdrop of contemporary Europe, Flesh follows the journey of István, who evolves from an awkward teenager in a Hungarian housing estate to navigating the opulent worlds of London’s elite, all while encountering the challenges of adulthood into his sixties. The book’s narrative is described as lean and propulsive, reflecting the formative experiences that resonate throughout a lifetime.

Judges Praise the Novel’s Unique Approach

Chairing the judging panel for this year’s prize, Roddy Doyle emphasized the distinctiveness of Szalay’s work. He remarked, “The judges discussed the six books on the shortlist for more than five hours. The book we kept coming back to, the one that stood out from the other great novels, was Flesh – because of its singularity. We had never read anything quite like it.” Doyle noted that, despite its darker themes, the novel offers a rewarding reading experience.

Doyle highlighted the innovative use of narrative space in the book, stating, “At the end of the novel, we don’t know what the protagonist, István, looks like but this never feels like a lack; quite the opposite. The absence of words allows us to know István.” The minimalist style invites readers to engage with the text actively, creating a deep emotional connection with the character.

Critics have responded positively to Flesh. In a review for The Irish Times, author John Boyne described it as “compulsively readable,” calling it Szalay’s “best novel yet.” Boyne praised the book for its impactful characters and a poignant final line that lingers with readers.

A Writer’s Journey and Vision

David Szalay, aged 51, brings a rich background to his writing. Born to a Canadian mother and Hungarian father, he grew up in London. His academic journey led him to Oxford University, after which he began his career in financial advertising, an experience that later inspired his debut novel, London and the South-East. This initial work garnered acclaim, winning both the Betty Trask and Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prizes in 2008.

Having moved to Hungary in 2009, Szalay now resides in Vienna with his second wife. His previous novels include The Innocent (2009) and Spring (2011), with All That Man Is (2016) receiving multiple awards, including the Gordon Burn Prize and the George Plimpton Prize for Fiction. Reflecting on his career, Szalay noted, “The Booker is a precious thing,” acknowledging the significance of this latest achievement.

In an interview on the Booker Prize website, Szalay expressed his intent to explore contemporary European life in Flesh. He aimed to address the cultural and economic divides that characterize the continent while illustrating the physical experience of being human. He described the novel as “a story collection hiding inside a novel,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of the narratives within.

Szalay’s dialogue style reflects the realities of modern communication, contributing to the novel’s sense of realism. He stated, “I wanted to write dialogue which reflected the way that people actually speak. It contributes to the sense of realism, which I think is absolutely key to the way the book works.”

With Flesh, published by Jonathan Cape, Szalay’s win marks the publisher’s tenth Booker Prize victory, reinforcing its reputation in the literary world. As readers continue to engage with Szalay’s exploration of life’s complexities, Flesh stands out as an extraordinary work that resonates with the human experience.