David Szalay is a worthy winner of the Booker Prize | The Spectator Australia

David Szalay Wins the Booker Prize

The results of last night’s Booker Prize, the country's most prestigious and generous literary award, were somewhat unexpected. The shortlist featured a strong balance of three men and three women, with Andrew Miller’s The Land in Winter considered the frontrunner for the £50,000 prize.

Miller, previously nominated in 2001 for Oxygen, was the best-known author on the list. His book was also the bestselling among the six shortlisted novels, with sales rumored to surpass those of the other five combined. It was the bookmakers’ favorite, and many, including admirers of the novel, expected it to take the prize.

A Different Choice by the Judges

However, the panel chaired by Roddy Doyle, which included actress and publisher Sarah Jessica Parker and novelist Kiley Reid, chose Hungarian-British author David Szalay for his novel Flesh.

“A dark book, but we all found it a joy to read,” said Doyle. “It was very clear that this was the book that all five of us liked most.”

Szalay’s victory signals a refreshing shift in the literary scene with new voices gaining recognition.

Jury Composition

Finalists Overview

Author’s Synopsis

David Szalay’s win highlights the emergence of fresh literary talents, challenging expectations in contemporary fiction awards.

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The Spectator Australia The Spectator Australia — 2025-11-11

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