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Cover of The Slap
Literary Fiction· Australia

The Slap

by Christos Tsiolkas
Aggregate Editorial Score34/100
#177,233of 99,626 books
★Booker Prize
Published 2008English
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Slap (2008) by Christos Tsiolkas continues to receive. The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas is a provocative novel that examines the rippling effects of a single act of violence at a suburban barbecue. Through multiple perspectives, the book explores themes of family, race, and morality in contemporary Australian society. Tsiolkas's unflinching portrayal of middle-class life and the tensions within it has sparked widespread discussion and established the novel as a significant work in modern Australian literature. Themes of family, morality, race run through the work. The book has received recognition from Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2009.

Book Details

AuthorChristos Tsiolkas
Published2008
Country of Origin🇦🇺 Australia
LanguageEnglish
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781741753592
Editorial Score34/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇦🇺 Australia

This book is part of Australia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Australia →

Editorial Assessment

First published in 2008, Christos Tsiolkas's The Slap is a work of literary fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with family, morality, race, violence gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2009. Its aggregate editorial score of 34/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. Readers coming to The Slap for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of family, morality, race, violence is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Christos Tsiolkas's role in the literature of Australia is well established. The Slap can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Booker Prize
longlist · global
20100
✍️
About the Author
Christos Tsiolkas
Australia
View Author →

Christos Tsiolkas is a Australia author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Slap about?

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas is a provocative novel that examines the rippling effects of a single act of violence at a suburban barbecue. Through multiple perspectives, the book explores themes of family, race, and morality in contemporary Australian society. Tsiolkas's unflinching portrayal of middle-class life and the tensions within it has sparked widespread discussion and established the novel as a significant work in modern Australian literature.

Who wrote The Slap?

The Slap was written by Christos Tsiolkas, from Australia. First published in 2008.

What awards has The Slap won?

The Slap has received the following recognition: Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2009.

Is The Slap worth reading?

The Slap is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 34/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in family, morality, race.

Where can I buy The Slap?

You can buy The Slap on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Slap?

The Slap is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Slap from?

The Slap originates from Australia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Australia on our country page.

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