Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

David Szalay's 'Flesh': A Journey from Grit to Glamour

1/8/2026

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

David Szalay, the British-Hungarian author, discusses his Booker Prize-winning Flesh in an interview with Eve Jackson on arts24.
The novel features István, a silent and unsettling protagonist, who navigates from a bleak Hungarian housing estate to London's elite.
Szalay says Flesh is risky and explains how he makes readers connect with a character who often says "OK."
He notes endorsements from Stormzy and Dua Lipa could influence his work.

1 of 1

Story summary

David Szalay, the British-Hungarian author, discusses his Booker Prize-winning Flesh in an interview with Eve Jackson on arts24.
The novel features István, a silent and unsettling protagonist, who navigates from a bleak Hungarian housing estate to London's elite.
Szalay says Flesh is risky and explains how he makes readers connect with a character who often says "OK."
He notes endorsements from Stormzy and Dua Lipa could influence his work.