David Szalay is the British-Hungarian novelist who won the 2025 Booker Prize for “Flesh.” Born in Montreal, Canada, in 1974 to a Jewish family with a Canadian mother and Hungarian father, he spent his early years in Beirut, Lebanon, and London, England, before studying English literature at the University of Oxford. His international upbringing gave him a broad perspective that continues to influence his work. Themes of class, migration, and belonging are not simply subjects he writes about; they mirror the layered experiences of his own life.
His Booker-winning novel, “Flesh,” follows a young Hungarian man drifting through decades of social change as he gradually rises through British society. The story is praised for its stark, honest prose and its sharp look at ambition and resilience. Judges described it as “a dark novel that is still a pleasure to read,” noting Szalay’s ability to convey the emotional weight behind each choice his characters make.
For young readers, Szalay’s achievement shows how personal history, cultural roots, and individual challenges can become creative fuel. His journey suggests that identity grows with every place lived, every language learned, and every story told.
Blair For The Junior Times junior/1764893391/1613367853
1. When did he study English literature at the University of Oxford?
2. Why do themes like class, migration, and belonging appear so often in his work?
3. Which experiences from Szalay’s early life shaped his international perspective?
4. What story does his Booker-winning novel Flesh follow?
1. Why do you enjoy stories that explore themes like belonging or ambition?
2. Who in your life has inspired you creatively or emotionally?
3. Do you feel connected to your cultural background in your daily life?
4. Are you interested in stories that explore identity, culture, or belonging?
David Szalay is the British-Hungarian novelist who won the 2025 Booker Prize for “Flesh.” Born in Montreal, Canada, in 1974 to a Jewish family with a Canadian mother and Hungarian father, he spent his early years in Beirut, Lebanon, and London, England, before studying English literature at the University of Oxford. His international upbringing gave him a broad perspective that continues to influence his work. Themes of class, migration, and belonging are not simply subjects he writes about; they mirror the layered experiences of his own life.
