Author Reveals Unusual Genesis of Novel 'Flesh' in Candid Interview
In a revealing and deeply personal interview, the author behind the acclaimed novel Flesh has opened up about the book's unconventional beginnings, its thematic core, and the deliberate choices that shaped its narrative. The conversation sheds light on the creative process behind a work that explores physicality, migration, and moral ambiguity.
An Unusual Start: From Abandonment to Creation
The journey to Flesh began with a significant act of creative abandonment. The author had previously invested considerable effort into another project, writing nearly 100,000 words over several months. However, grappling with increasing anxiety and dissatisfaction, they made the difficult decision to abandon that manuscript entirely. It was in the aftermath of this decision that Flesh started to take shape.
"I started writing it having just abandoned another book," the author explained. "To help me cope with the pressure of that situation, I began with a few very simple elements I knew I wanted to work with." Two foundational aspects were clear from the outset: the novel would incorporate both English and Hungarian dimensions, and it would focus intensely on life as a physical, bodily experience.
Crafting Realism Through Dialogue and Character
The interview delved into the novel's distinctive style, particularly its use of dialogue. Critics and readers have noted the often monotonous, non-functional nature of conversations in the book. The author embraces this quality, seeing it as essential to the work's realism.
"The dialogue in the book doesn't always, or in fact rarely does, move the narrative forward," they admitted. "The banality itself has a kind of delicious quality that I enjoy. It's an important part of the realism of the book." This approach creates an authentic, immersive texture that reflects the mundane rhythms of everyday life.
At the heart of the novel is Istvan, the protagonist. While he risks being seen as an everyman figure—a potential pitfall for being dull—the author insists on his specificity. "Istvan is a real, specific individual," they asserted. Yet, his experiences as an economic migrant, striving to navigate and succeed in the world, resonate universally, bridging the particular and the common human condition.
Thematic Explorations: Masculinity, Ambition, and Morality
When questioned about the novel's examination of masculinity, the author offered a nuanced perspective. "I didn't really set out to write a novel about masculinity," they clarified. Given the contemporary setting and male protagonist, such themes inevitably arise, but the focus remains broader. "Istvan's experience is the experience of a man. He happens to be a male character. But beyond that, he's also a human being in a wider sense." The portrayal aims for truthfulness over agenda-driven commentary.
Ambition is another central theme, driving much of the narrative. However, the book also probes its limitations. "Much of the book is about his ambition in various ways," the author noted. "But finally, the book is also about the limits of ambition and the limits of what ambition can give you in terms of happiness." This reflection adds depth, moving beyond mere aspiration to consider its costs and constraints.
Morality in Flesh is deliberately ambiguous. The author expressed a strong desire to avoid black-and-white judgments. "I was very keen that all the moral situations the book deals with—and it deals with many—really remain quite gray," they said. This complexity challenges readers to engage actively, finding their own resolutions in ethically murky scenarios, which the author hopes provides a satisfying, thought-provoking experience.
The Significance of the Title 'Flesh'
The title Flesh originated pragmatically as the name of the word file early in the writing process. It was an instinctive choice that grew in significance. "One of the most important aspects of the book from a very early stage was this emphasis on physicality," the author explained. "We are living bodies... fundamentally. So I think the word was about that."
Despite initial doubts about its vulgar, tawdry, and inelegant connotations—qualities seen as unliterary—the author and publishers came to view these aspects as strengths. "They said something true about the book," they reflected. The word's roughness and brutality align with the novel's themes, while its biblical and Shakespearean associations (e.g., "the way of all flesh") evoke mortality and the moral weight of physical existence. The American cover's apple imagery further nods to these themes, recalling the Garden of Eden and notions of temptation and fall.
A Rich Tapestry of Characters and Settings
The novel introduces a diverse cast of characters across various cities and stages of Istvan's life, all rendered with complexity. "There's nothing which is black or white," the author emphasized, reinforcing the commitment to moral grayness. This richness enhances the narrative's realism, presenting a world where motivations and actions resist simple categorization.
In summary, the interview reveals Flesh as a novel born from creative resilience, meticulously crafted to explore the physical, moral, and emotional landscapes of modern life. Through its realistic dialogue, specific yet universal protagonist, and ambiguous morality, it offers a profound meditation on ambition, identity, and the human condition.
