The New Statesman: politics and culture Booker winner: Keir Starmer should read 'Flesh'
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Nov 16, 2025 In a thought-provoking chat, David Szalay, the 2025 Booker Prize-winning novelist, dives into his latest work, Flesh. He challenges the notion that his novel solely examines modern masculinity, highlighting broader themes like power dynamics and identity. Szalay discusses his spare prose style, shaped by radio-writing discipline, and reflects on male emotional expression within his narrative. He also touches on the importance of reading for politicians like Keir Starmer and shares insights on therapy's nuanced role in the lives of men.
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Beyond A Single Theme
- David Szalay resists reducing Flesh to a simple book about masculinity and says male protagonists inevitably touch that theme.
- He argues the novel also addresses many other, more primary concerns beyond public masculinity debates.
The Opening Scene As Trajectory
- Szalay says the opening affair sets István's narrative trajectory and repeats power dynamics later.
- That early transgressive relationship shapes his choices and patterns throughout the novel.
Deliberate Inarticulacy
- Szalay deliberately made István relatively inarticulate to avoid a narrator who explains himself to readers.
- Linguistic alienation and social disadvantage also shape his terse speech and behavior.
