Flesh

by David Szalay
Flesh cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Literary Fiction
Technical
  • ID: 3891
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781982122812
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2025-04-01
  • Reviews: 3

Flesh is a poignant and introspective novel that follows István, a shy teenager in Hungary whose life takes an abrupt turn due to a series of tragic events. Isolated from his peers and estranged from his mother, István navigates a life shaped by the whims of strangers and the demands of a world that often feels alien to him. The narrative spans decades, capturing intimate moments that reveal the profound impact of unresolved trauma and the precarity of modern life. /n/n As István moves further from his childhood, he grapples with the roles he is forced to play and the specter of past tragedies that continue to haunt him. The novel's spare yet resonant prose explores themes of identity, alienation, and the human condition, set against the backdrop of an ever-globalizing Europe. With incisive insight and unyielding pathos, 'Flesh' offers a startlingly human portrayal of a life forever altered by unforeseen circumstances.

Reviews
The Rumpus · 2025-06-25
captivating 4.25

The novel's staccato prose and vivid storytelling are praised for their ability to captivate the reader and propel them through the narrative. The reviewer finds the exploration of the protagonist's life to be both engaging and emotionally resonant.

The reviewer at The Rumpus is captivated by the novel's staccato prose, which creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. They appreciate how the story moves seamlessly from scene to scene, drawing the reader into the protagonist's life. The exploration of the character's experiences is seen as both engaging and emotionally resonant, making the novel a compelling read. The reviewer finds the writing style to be a key strength, enhancing the overall impact of the story.

Quick quotes

    The verby, staccato prose holds the reader captive and propels them from scene to scene, conversation to conversation, in István's body.

    The novel's vivid storytelling creates a sense of urgency and immediacy.

    The exploration of the protagonist's life is both engaging and emotionally resonant.

The Guardian · 2025-03-06
brilliant 4.50

The novel is praised for its bold artistic ambitions and its ability to explore profound themes in a spare yet thrilling manner. It stands out for its ontological and artistic depth.

The reviewer highlights the novel's ability to tackle big themes with a light touch, making it a standout in contemporary literature. They appreciate the boldness of the narrative and the way it delves into existential questions. The sparse style is seen as a strength, allowing the reader to engage deeply with the characters and their journeys. The reviewer finds the novel to be a refreshing departure from more conventional storytelling, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Thrillingly, in an age when we arguably have weaker stomachs for such things, it also shares its bold ontological and artistic ambitions.

    The novel's spare style allows for a deep engagement with the characters and their journeys.

    Flesh stands out for its profound exploration of existential questions.

London Review of Books · Tim Parks · 2025-02-20
intriguing 4.00

The novel is described as a dark comedy that explores themes of success and failure through the lens of a central character's anxieties. The reviewer finds the exploration of these themes to be compelling and thought-provoking.

Tim Parks delves into the darkly comedic aspects of the novel, highlighting how it portrays the protagonist's anxieties about success and failure. He appreciates the way the story captures the universal struggle of navigating life's challenges and the constant pressure to achieve. The reviewer finds the novel to be a sharp and insightful commentary on modern life, making it a memorable read. The dark humor is seen as a key strength, adding depth to the characters and their experiences.

Quick quotes

    Everything in this dark comedy is seen in terms of winning and losing, success and failure.

    Paul's anxieties are divided equally between the horror of success and the horror of failure.

    The novel captures the universal struggle of navigating life's challenges and the constant pressure to achieve.

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