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The Slap

By Christos Tsiolkas
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3.26 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 32,671 ratings, 3,684 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas is a powerful exploration of social and moral boundaries, set in suburban Melbourne. The story unfolds after a man slaps a child who is not his own at a barbecue, triggering a chain of events that ripples through the lives of friends and family. Each chapter is narrated by a different character, offering diverse perspectives on the incident and exposing deep-seated tensions within relationships and society.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this engaging and provocative novel if you're drawn to stories that challenge societal norms and delve into the complexities of human relationships. Set in suburban Australia, it offers a raw exploration of family dynamics and cultural tensions, making it a captivating read for those interested in contemporary fiction that sparks deep reflection and conversation.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

To smack or not to smack is the question that reverberates through the interconnected lives dissected in Christos Tsiolkas' award-winning novel.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

At a suburban barbecue, a man slaps a child who is not his own. This event has a shocking ricochet effect on a group of people, mostly friends, who are directly or indirectly influenced by the event.

In this remarkable novel, Christos Tsiolkas turns his unflinching and all-seeing eye on to that which connects us all: the modern family and domestic life in the twenty-first century. The Slap is told from the points of view of eight people who were present at the barbecue. The slap and its consequences force them all to question their own families and the way they live, their expectations, beliefs, and desires.

What unfolds is a powerful, haunting novel about love, sex, and marriage, parenting and children, and the fury and intensity—all the passions and conflicting beliefs—that family can arouse.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas is a provocative novel that explores the repercussions of a single incident at a suburban barbecue, where a man slaps a child who is not his own. Reviewers often highlight its raw and candid examination of social dynamics, cultural tension, and moral ambiguity. The book's multifaceted characters and exploration of themes like family, parenting, and societal norms have resonated with many readers, though its unflinching portrayal of controversial topics has also sparked mixed reactions.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781741758207

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2010

Country: Australia

Imprint: Allen & Unwin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 502g

Pages: 592

Collections

Christos Tsiolkas Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction

About the Author

Christos Tsiolkas is the author of four novels: Loaded, which was made into the feature film Head-On, The Jesus Man and Dead Europe, which won the 2006 Age Fiction Prize and the 2006 Melbourne Best Writing Award. He won Overall Best Book the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2009, was shortlisted for the 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award and won the Australian Literary Society Gold Medal for his latest novel, The Slap. He is also a playwright, essayist and screen writer. He lives in Melbourne.

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