Flesh by David Szalay

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026--San Antonio

Flesh by David Szalay won the Booker Prize this year.  It's an interesting story, but I don't understand all the hype about it.  It follows the life of Itzvan, a Hungarian, who doesn't seem to get too excited about anything except when he is riled up and when that happens he tends to over react by fighting.  Otherwise, he just goes with the flow.  When the next door neighbor asks if she can kiss him, the first step in a grooming process when he is a teenager, his response is, "Okay."  He says "Okay" at lot throughout the book.  But his involvement with older women becomes a continuing part of his life story which is a pour to riches to just barely not poor one over time.  He's not much of a decider.  He tends to be a follower.  And he tends to accept what is happening step-by-step without much concern or excitement.  I have now read all 5 of the shortlisted books for the Booker Prize and 3 more that were longlisted.  It's been a disappointing year for me.  Only one of them did I rate higher than 4 stars out of 5--Flashlight by Susan Choi.  I also rate this winner of the prize 4 stars out of 5.