About this episode

The episode features an analysis of the novel Flesh by David Szalay, focusing on themes of lonely masculinity and literary style.

Whitney, Mira, and Gary analyze another recently-published novel on the next episode of Writers Who Read . Next up: Flesh by David Szalay. Flesh is an unvarnished exploration of lonely masculinity. Okay. Istvǎn's interiority is a virtual blank slate, much like Rachel Cusk accomplished for her Outline trilogy narrator, okay? Stark Hemingwayesque prose and dialogue. Okay. Winner of the 2025 Booker Prize. Deservedly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Gary Alan McBride

Guests: Whitney, Mira

Topics covered

• lonely masculinity
• literary analysis
• recently published novels
• Booker Prize
• Hemingwayesque prose

Keywords

• Flesh
• David Szalay
• lonely masculinity
• Hemingwayesque prose
• Booker Prize

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Flesh, Outline trilogy, Booker Prize

More episodes of Writers Who Read

• 78: Flesh - David Szalay · May 24, 2026 · 50 min

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