After hearing so much about Flesh by David Szalay and its Booker Prize win, I was curious to see what the hype was about.
Szalay’s writing is very controlled and simple. He doesn’t use fancy words or big dramatic scenes. Instead, he tells the story through small actions, body language and quiet moments. He doesn’t explain everything, so the reader has to pay attention and figure out some things on their own. Many critics like this style because it feels realistic and thoughtful. The book explores ideas about modern men, power, social class and relationships, but in a subtle way rather than with big speeches or clear explanations.
The book also feels very careful and planned. Every scene seems to have a reason for being there and nothing feels random. You can tell Szalay knows exactly what kind of story he wants to tell. This gives the book a strong focus and a disciplined style.
But this careful distance also made it harder for me to feel connected to the story. I could understand the main character, István, and what he was going through, but I didn’t feel strong emotions for him. Sometimes his feelings were hard to understand because the book doesn’t explain them much. This made parts of the story feel a bit cold or distant.
Overall, I understand why Flesh is so highly praised. It’s thoughtful, well-made and impressive - even if it’s not a book I fully connected.
