In a novel, the words on the page are our entrance into another’s mind. But sometimes it’s the space between the lines that define a character.

In David Szalay’s 2025 Booker Prize–winning Flesh, István is caught between the boundaries of Hungary and England, his teenage years and adulthood, his body and sense of self and desire and indifference. With spare, propulsive prose, David paints an intimate portrait of a man slowly unravelling as he asks profound questions about the strangeness of being.

Hear David trace the evolution of his singular novel and its protagonist, in conversation with Michelle de Kretser.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

In a novel, the words on the page are our entrance into another&rsquo;s mind. But sometimes it&rsquo;s the space between the lines that define a character.
In David Szalay&rsquo;s 2025 Booker Prize&ndash;winning Flesh, Istv&aacute;n is caught between the boundaries of Hungary and England, his teenage years and adulthood, his body and sense of self and desire and indifference. With spare, propulsive prose, David paints an intimate portrait of a man slowly unravelling as he asks profound questions about the strangeness of being.
Hear David trace the evolution of his singular novel and its protagonist, in conversation with Michelle de Kretser.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.&nbsp;If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;
Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of writing and ideas.

Sydney Writers' Festival

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more.

David Szalay: Flesh 

The history of the Kabul Inter-Continental Hotel is the history of a nation.

Built in 1969, it has stood through Soviet occupation, multiple coups, a civil war, a US invasion and waves of Taliban control. Legendary international war correspondent Lyse Doucet arrived at the ‘Inter-Con’ for the first time in 1988. The Finest Hotel in Kabul chronicles 40 years of visits, during which Lyse reported on events that made world news and formed intimate connections with the people of Kabul.

Listen as Lyse reflects on the story of modern Afghanistan as told by its people, in conversation with Debbie Whitmont.

This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.  

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.  

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: 
Instagram: @sydwritersfest 
Facebook: @SydWritersFest 
TikTok: @sydwritersfest 

The history of the Kabul Inter-Continental Hotel is the history of a nation.
Built in 1969, it has stood through Soviet occupation, multiple coups, a civil war, a US invasion and waves of Taliban control. Legendary international war correspondent Lyse Doucet arrived at the &lsquo;Inter-Con&rsquo; for the first time in 1988. The Finest Hotel in Kabul chronicles 40 years of visits, during which Lyse reported on events that made world news and formed intimate connections with the people of Kabul.
Listen as Lyse reflects on the story of modern Afghanistan as told by its people, in conversation with Debbie Whitmont.
This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.&nbsp;
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. &nbsp;
Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. &nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media:&nbsp; Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a>&nbsp; Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a>&nbsp; TikTok:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>&nbsp;

Lyse Doucet: The Finest Hotel in Kabul

In the latest instalment of Mick Herron’s internationally bestselling series, palms are itching among Jackson Lamb’s cohort of misfit spies.

A legendary former spy’s missing book, a state secret and some mischievous blackmail: which underhanded action will rock the carefully calibrated boat of Slough House? An instant Sunday Times bestseller and continuation of the adapted Apple TV+ series Slow Horses, Clown Town is a spy thriller with a witty twist and an unforgettable band of characters.    

Listen as Mick reveals details about the evolution of the Slough House thrillers and what comes next, in conversation with Michael Williams.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

In the latest instalment of Mick Herron&rsquo;s internationally bestselling series, palms are itching among Jackson Lamb&rsquo;s cohort of misfit spies. A legendary former spy&rsquo;s missing book, a&nbsp;state&nbsp;secret&nbsp;and some mischievous blackmail: which underhanded action will&nbsp;rock&nbsp;the carefully calibrated boat of Slough House? An instant&nbsp;Sunday Times&nbsp;bestseller&nbsp;and&nbsp;continuation of the&nbsp;adapted&nbsp;Apple TV+&nbsp;series&nbsp;Slow Horses,&nbsp;Clown Town&nbsp;is a spy thriller with a witty twist and an unforgettable band of&nbsp;characters.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Listen as Mick&nbsp;reveals details&nbsp;about&nbsp;the evolution of the Slough&nbsp;House thrillers and what comes next,&nbsp;in conversation with Michael Williams.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.&nbsp;If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;
Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest Facebook: @SydWritersFest TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Mick Herron in Conversation

Join Yumi Stynes and Artistic Director Ann Mossop as they discuss the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival program.

The pair talk about the 2026 Festival theme, Show Me The Truth, and how fiction, poetry and creative writing and bring us closer to the truth. Unpack the program and get a glimpse behind the scenes of the Sydney Writers' Festival office.

The 2026 Sydney Writers' Festival is out now. Head to our website to explore the program: https://www.swf.org.au/

Tickets on sale Saturday 14 March at 10am.

Thank you to 2SER for facilitating the recording of this podcast.

Join Yumi Stynes and Artistic Director Ann Mossop as they discuss the 2026 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival program.
The pair talk about the 2026 Festival theme, Show Me The Truth, and how fiction, poetry and creative writing and bring us closer to the truth. Unpack the program and get a glimpse behind the scenes of the Sydney Writers' Festival office.
The 2026 Sydney Writers' Festival is out now. Head to our website to explore the program: <a href="https://www.swf.org.au/">https://www.swf.org.au/</a>
Tickets on sale Saturday 14 March at 10am.
Thank you to 2SER for facilitating the recording of this podcast.

David Szalay: Flesh

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