New Town, New Longings

At fifteen, István and his mother move to a new town, thrusting him into the isolating world of adolescence in unfamiliar territory. He struggles to fit in at school, making only one friend, a similarly solitary boy. Their conversations revolve around sex, desire, and the mysteries of other people's bodies, exposing István's insecurities and confusion about his own sexuality. The new town's Western-style mall becomes their hangout, a symbol of both modernity and alienation. When his friend claims to have had sex and arranges for István to meet the same girl, István's anxiety and lack of confidence sabotage the encounter. The girl rejects him, and his friend drifts away, leaving István lonelier than before, haunted by the sense of being fundamentally unsexy and different.

The Neighbor's Secret

István's mother arranges for him to help their neighbor, an older woman, with her shopping. What begins as a reluctant chore evolves into a strange, secret intimacy. The neighbor's affection for István grows, culminating in a gentle, unexpected kiss. At first, István is confused and embarrassed, but the ritual of shopping, eating sweets, and sharing brief kisses becomes a regular, secret part of his life. The relationship escalates, blending awkwardness, shame, and a growing physicality. István is both repulsed and aroused, caught between disgust and desire, and the neighbor's need for connection. Their encounters become more sexual, culminating in full intercourse, but the experience leaves István feeling unchanged, empty, and more isolated than ever.

First Love, First Loss

István's home life is marked by routine visits to his grandmother and the quiet, unspoken struggles of his mother. He is a good student, but emotionally distant, unable to connect deeply with his family. The neighbor's husband, oblivious to the affair, employs István on his allotment, further entangling him in the family's life. The neighbor's affection is both a comfort and a burden, and when she ends the relationship, István is devastated. He experiences his first heartbreak, unable to reconcile the intensity of his feelings with the reality of the situation. The loss leaves him adrift, searching for meaning and connection in a world that feels increasingly indifferent.

Coming of Age in Shadows

As István grows older, his sexual experiences become more varied and complex. He explores pornography, masturbation, and the confusing boundaries between fantasy and reality. The neighbor's body, at first a source of disgust, becomes an object of fascination and desire. Their encounters are marked by secrecy and shame, as István struggles to understand his own desires and the social taboos surrounding them. The relationship is both liberating and damaging, teaching him about pleasure, power, and vulnerability. When the affair ends, István is left with a sense of loss and confusion, unsure of how to move forward or what kind of man he wants to become.

Violence and Consequence

Unable to let go of the neighbor, István becomes obsessed, waiting for her on the stairs and pleading for her attention. His desperation leads to a confrontation with her husband, resulting in a physical altercation that ends with the husband's accidental death. István flees, but is soon arrested and charged with murder. The police interrogation blurs the line between accident and intent, forcing István to confront the darkness within himself. He is sent to a young offenders' institution, where he learns to survive through violence and toughness, his innocence lost forever. The incident marks a turning point, shaping the rest of his life and relationships.

Drifting and Surviving

After his release, István struggles to find his place in a society that offers few opportunities. He becomes involved in petty crime, running drugs across borders with Ödön, a friend from the institution. The work is dangerous and degrading, but it provides a sense of purpose and camaraderie. István spends his money on nightlife and fleeting pleasures, forming a tentative friendship with Noémi, his uncle's stepdaughter. Their relationship is marked by mutual attraction and emotional distance, as both are haunted by their pasts and uncertain about their futures. The town's Tex-Mex restaurant becomes a refuge, a place where they can talk and dream of escape.

Noémi and the Lake

István and Noémi's friendship deepens, culminating in a day trip to Lake Balaton. The journey is filled with anticipation and awkwardness, as both struggle to articulate their feelings. They swim, eat, and share stories, but when the opportunity for intimacy arises, Noémi pulls away, revealing that she is involved with someone else. The rejection is painful, but also clarifying, forcing István to confront his own expectations and limitations. The day at the lake becomes a symbol of lost innocence and the impossibility of recapturing the past. István returns home, more alone than ever, and eventually joins the army in search of structure and meaning.

Army, War, and Aftermath

Military life offers István a sense of belonging and discipline, but also exposes him to the horrors of war. Deployed to Iraq, he forms close bonds with his fellow soldiers, especially Riki, whose death in an explosion leaves István traumatized and guilt-ridden. The experience of combat, loss, and survival changes him irrevocably, instilling a deep sense of alienation and emotional numbness. Returning home, he struggles to reintegrate into civilian life, haunted by memories and unable to communicate his pain. Therapy and medication offer some relief, but the scars of war remain, shaping his relationships and sense of self.

London: Reinvention and Alienation

Seeking a fresh start, István moves to London, where he works as a nightclub bouncer and later as a security driver. The city is both exhilarating and alienating, a place of opportunity and profound loneliness. He becomes involved with Mervyn, a wealthy client who mentors him in the world of private security and high society. István learns to navigate the codes of the elite, adopting new manners, dress, and behaviors. Despite his outward success, he remains an outsider, struggling with language, class, and the lingering effects of trauma. His relationships are transactional and unstable, marked by power dynamics and unspoken resentments.

The Nymans' World

István is hired as the security driver for the Nyman family, entering a world of privilege and dysfunction. He becomes entangled with Helen Nyman, the much younger wife of his employer, and their affair is both passionate and fraught with risk. The boundaries between servant and lover blur, as István navigates the complexities of desire, loyalty, and ambition. He forms a bond with Helen's son, Thomas, but the relationship is strained by jealousy, resentment, and the ever-present threat of exposure. The Nymans' world is one of appearances and secrets, where love and power are inextricably linked.

Love, Power, and Betrayal

As István's relationship with Helen deepens, he becomes involved in high-stakes property development, using loans from the Nyman family trust to finance his projects. The arrangement is precarious, dependent on Helen's influence and the acquiescence of her son, Thomas, the trust's beneficiary. When Thomas learns of the loans, he accuses István and Helen of theft, setting off a chain of events that leads to public scandal, legal battles, and the collapse of István's business empire. The family is torn apart by betrayal, ambition, and the corrosive effects of wealth, leaving István isolated and disgraced.

The Fall and the Fallout

The confrontation with Thomas at a public event erupts into violence, resulting in István's arrest and the end of his career. Helen withdraws, and Thomas refuses all contact, leaving István to face the consequences of his actions alone. The scandal destroys his reputation and finances, forcing him to declare bankruptcy and return to Hungary with his mother. The once-promising future is reduced to a series of humiliations and losses, as István grapples with guilt, anger, and the realization that his pursuit of power and status has cost him everything that mattered.

Fatherhood and Fragility

Back in Hungary, István attempts to rebuild his life, working as a security guard and caring for his young son, Jacob. The relationship is tender but fraught, as István projects his own fears and insecurities onto his child. Jacob's struggles at school, including bullying and social anxiety, mirror István's own experiences of alienation and powerlessness. The father-son bond is tested by misunderstandings, unspoken expectations, and the weight of the past. István's efforts to protect and guide Jacob are complicated by his own unresolved trauma and the limitations of his emotional vocabulary.

The End of Innocence

A tragic car accident claims the lives of Helen and Jacob, shattering István's world. The loss is incomprehensible, plunging him into a deep depression and existential crisis. He turns to alcohol and self-destructive behaviors, unable to find solace or meaning in religion, therapy, or the routines of daily life. The estate, once a symbol of achievement and belonging, becomes a mausoleum of memory and regret. István's mother tries to support him, but her own aging and eventual death leave him truly alone, forced to confront the emptiness at the heart of his existence.

Loss, Grief, and Return

In the aftermath of loss, István drifts through life, haunted by memories and unable to form lasting attachments. He has a brief affair with Bori, a bartender, but the relationship is marked by mutual loneliness and the knowledge that it cannot last. The routines of work, home, and small-town life offer little comfort, and István is left to grapple with the meaning of his experiences. The past is ever-present, shaping his perceptions and relationships, and the possibility of redemption or renewal seems increasingly remote.

The Weight of Memory

As the years pass, István becomes increasingly introspective, reflecting on the choices and events that have defined his life. The deaths of his loved ones, the betrayals and failures, and the fleeting moments of happiness all weigh heavily on him. He is acutely aware of the passage of time, the aging of his body, and the narrowing of possibilities. The memories of Helen, Jacob, and the life he once had are both a source of pain and a reminder of what was possible. The search for meaning continues, but the answers remain elusive.

Small Town, Small Life

István settles into a life of routine and modest ambition, working at the local Media Markt and caring for his aging mother. The rhythms of small-town life are both comforting and stifling, offering stability but little excitement or hope. The relationships with colleagues and neighbors are superficial, and the sense of community is fragile. István's dreams of escape or transformation have faded, replaced by a quiet resignation and the acceptance of his limitations. The world has become smaller, but the burdens of memory and regret remain.

The Last Goodbye

The death of István's mother marks the end of his last meaningful connection. Alone in the flat, he is confronted by the full weight of his solitude and the irreversibility of loss. The rituals of mourning and remembrance offer little comfort, and the future is uncertain. Yet, in the quiet moments of reflection, there is a sense of acceptance—a recognition that life is shaped as much by loss as by love, and that endurance, however modest, is its own form of dignity. The story ends with István alone, but not entirely defeated, carrying the memories of those he loved and the lessons of a life lived in the shadow of flesh.

Characters

István

István is the novel's protagonist, a Hungarian man whose life is marked by displacement, longing, and the search for meaning. His journey from awkward adolescence to troubled adulthood is shaped by trauma, loss, and the complexities of desire. István's relationships—with his mother, lovers, friends, and children—are fraught with misunderstanding, shame, and the persistent need for intimacy. He is both a victim and an agent of harm, struggling to reconcile his past with his hopes for the future. His psychological landscape is defined by guilt, alienation, and the enduring impact of violence, both experienced and inflicted. Over time, István becomes a figure of quiet endurance, shaped by the fleshly realities of love, sex, and mortality.

Helen Nyman

Helen is István's lover and later wife, a woman caught between privilege and vulnerability. Her marriage to the wealthy Karl Nyman provides security but little fulfillment, and her affair with István is both a rebellion and a search for genuine connection. Helen is intelligent, cultured, and emotionally astute, but also prone to self-doubt and guilt. Her relationships—with her husband, son, and István—are marked by power dynamics, secrecy, and the struggle for autonomy. Helen's journey is one of self-discovery and compromise, as she navigates the demands of family, love, and societal expectation. Her tragic fate underscores the novel's themes of loss and the limits of control.

Thomas

Thomas is Helen's son from her first marriage, a figure of both privilege and pain. He is intelligent and artistic, but struggles with social anxiety, addiction, and the weight of family expectations. Thomas's relationship with István is fraught with resentment and rivalry, as he perceives István as an interloper and threat. The inheritance of the Nyman trust fund becomes a source of conflict, fueling accusations of theft and betrayal. Thomas's psychological struggles—manifested in substance abuse and self-destructive behavior—reflect the novel's exploration of generational trauma and the corrosive effects of wealth. His eventual overdose and ambiguous survival highlight the fragility of identity and the difficulty of reconciliation.

István's Mother

István's mother is a constant presence in his life, providing stability and support through periods of upheaval and loss. She is practical, resilient, and emotionally reserved, embodying the values of endurance and sacrifice. Her relationship with István is marked by unspoken love and occasional tension, as she navigates her own aging and the challenges of caring for a troubled son. Her death marks the end of István's last familial bond, underscoring the novel's themes of mortality and the passage of time.

Jacob

Jacob is István's young son with Helen, a symbol of hope and the possibility of renewal. He is sensitive, imaginative, and deeply affected by the dynamics of his family. Jacob's struggles with bullying and social anxiety mirror István's own experiences, creating a poignant bond between father and son. His tragic death in a car accident is the novel's emotional nadir, representing the loss of innocence and the irreversibility of fate. Jacob's memory haunts István, shaping his actions and sense of self in the years that follow.

The Neighbor

The older woman who becomes István's first lover is a figure of both comfort and danger. Her affection provides István with a sense of belonging and sexual awakening, but also introduces him to the complexities of power, shame, and secrecy. The relationship is marked by mutual need and exploitation, blurring the boundaries between care and abuse. The neighbor's eventual rejection of István is a formative loss, shaping his attitudes toward intimacy and trust.

Mervyn

Mervyn is a wealthy client in London who introduces István to the world of private security and high society. He is charming, sophisticated, and calculating, serving as both benefactor and exploiter. Mervyn's mentorship is transactional, offering István opportunities while reinforcing his outsider status. The relationship is marked by power imbalances and unspoken expectations, reflecting the novel's critique of class and social mobility.

Bori

Bori is a bartender in István's hometown, with whom he has a brief affair late in life. She is tough, straightforward, and emotionally guarded, providing István with companionship and a sense of normalcy. Their relationship is marked by mutual loneliness and the recognition of its impermanence. Bori's decision to end the affair is pragmatic, reflecting her desire for self-preservation and the limits of what she can offer.

Noémi

Noémi is István's friend and would-be lover in his youth, a figure of possibility and disappointment. She is independent, sexually liberated, and emotionally complex, embodying the contradictions of post-communist Hungary. Her relationship with István is marked by missed opportunities and unspoken desires, serving as a catalyst for his later choices and regrets.

The Szymanskis

The Szymanskis are the caretakers of the Nyman estate, providing a background of stability and continuity. Their presence is often understated, but they play a crucial role in the functioning of the household and the lives of the main characters. Their own struggles and perspectives offer a counterpoint to the dramas of the wealthy, highlighting the novel's themes of class, service, and the unseen labor that sustains privilege.

Plot Devices

Nonlinear Narrative and Time Jumps

The novel employs a nonlinear structure, moving back and forth across decades and locations. This fragmentation reflects István's psychological state, shaped by trauma, memory, and the inability to fully integrate past and present. The time jumps allow the reader to piece together the story gradually, mirroring the protagonist's own process of self-understanding and reconciliation with his history.

Sexuality as Power and Vulnerability

Sexual encounters in the novel are rarely straightforward or purely pleasurable. They are sites of negotiation, power, and vulnerability, revealing the characters' deepest fears and desires. The body is both a source of connection and alienation, pleasure and pain. Sexuality is used to explore themes of shame, exploitation, and the longing for intimacy, as well as the ways in which flesh both unites and divides.

Social Mobility and Class Tension

István's journey from small-town Hungary to the elite circles of London is marked by constant negotiation of class boundaries. The novel uses his attempts at assimilation—learning manners, dress, and speech—as a way to explore the possibilities and limitations of social mobility. The tension between aspiration and authenticity is a recurring motif, highlighting the costs of upward movement and the persistence of exclusion.

Intergenerational Trauma and Inheritance

The relationships between parents and children—István and his mother, Helen and Thomas, István and Jacob—are central to the novel's exploration of trauma and inheritance. The sins and failures of one generation are visited upon the next, creating cycles of pain, misunderstanding, and longing. The legal and emotional battles over the Nyman trust fund serve as a metaphor for the ways in which wealth, power, and unresolved conflict are passed down, shaping destinies and identities.

War and Its Aftershocks

István's experience in the army and the trauma of war are pivotal, shaping his sense of self and his relationships. The novel uses flashbacks, therapy sessions, and recurring motifs of violence to explore the lasting impact of combat. The inability to communicate the reality of war to those who have not experienced it becomes a metaphor for all forms of untranslatable pain and alienation.

The Body as Site of Memory

Throughout the novel, the body is a repository of memory and experience. Aging, illness, sex, and violence are all rendered in visceral detail, emphasizing the ways in which flesh both records and betrays the self. The body's changes—puberty, injury, addiction, death—are markers of time and loss, grounding the novel's abstract themes in the concrete realities of lived experience.

Analysis

David Szalay's Flesh is a profound meditation on the human condition, exploring the intersections of desire, trauma, and the relentless passage of time. Through the life of István, the novel examines how the body—its needs, pleasures, and vulnerabilities—shapes identity and destiny. The narrative's fragmented structure mirrors the protagonist's fractured sense of self, inviting readers to experience the disorientation and longing that define his journey. Themes of class, migration, and social mobility are woven throughout, highlighting the costs of ambition and the persistence of exclusion. The novel is unflinching in its portrayal of sexuality, power, and the ways in which love and violence are often intertwined. At its core, Flesh is a story about the search for connection in a world marked by loss and impermanence. The lessons are both universal and deeply personal: that endurance, however modest, is a form of dignity; that the past cannot be escaped, only integrated; and that the flesh, in all its frailty, is both the site of our greatest joys and our deepest wounds.

Last updated: November 10, 2025