David Szalay’s István Claims the 2025 Booker Prize for Its Haunting Character Study

A Hungarian everyman’s rise and fall captivates the Booker judges. Szalay’s sixth novel cements his reputation for raw, emotionally distant storytelling.

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2025 November 11 . 3:07 PM

1 min read

This image is clicked in the city. At the bottom, there is a road, on which there are cars. To the... — This image is clicked in the city. At the bottom, there is a road, on which there are cars. To the left and right, there are buildings and skyscrapers. At the top, there is a sky.

British-Hungarian Author David Szalay Wins Prestigious Booker Literary Prize - David Szalay’s István Claims the 2025 Booker Prize for Its Haunting Character Study

British-Hungarian author David Szalay has won the prestigious Booker Prize. His winning novel, titled 'István', follows the titular character's journey from a Hungarian town to London, exploring themes of rise and fall. Szalay's victory comes with his sixth novel, 'Flesh', which chronicles a man's life over several decades, moving from a Hungarian housing estate to London's wealthy elite. The author, born in Canada to Hungarian parents, grew up in London, lived in Lebanon, the UK, and Hungary, and currently resides in Vienna. Before this triumph, Szalay had published several novels, including 'All That Man Is', which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2016. His works often delve into emotional distance and complex characters. 'István' continues Szalay's exploration of intricate characters, tracing István's journey from his humble beginnings to his experiences in London. David Szalay's 'István' has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Booker Prize. The novel's exploration of István's life and the themes of rise and fall have resonated with the judges, marking another significant achievement for the versatile author.