The Slap by christos tsiolkas

The Slap
Christos Tsiolkas
Read by Alex Dimitriades
Bolinda audio (2010)

An oldie but a goodie. I’d watched the series, I’d read other books by Tsiolkas, but I hadn’t thought to read this one until now. I love Tsiolkas’ books. They can be rough and gritty, and even hard to stomach at times, but they make me think. This one would have to be my favourite. I’ve only just finished it and I almost want to listen/read it all over again. Now.

The story evolves from and revolves around the incident of ‘the slap’. Aisha and Hector are holding a barbeque. Family and friends are invited. Rosie, Aisha’s friend from school days, attends with her husband Gary and four year old son Hugo. Their parenting ideas are far different from Hector and Harry’s (Cousins) Greek upbringing. Hugo behaves differently to the other children and no one is impressed. Then Harry, a grown man, slaps Hugo. Friends and family are thrown into a violent hurricane of emotions where loyalties and values are tested.

The book is written from eight different voices. The reader dives into each perspective and is forced to make judgements, connections and inner confessions. No one is as idealistic or true to their beliefs as they make out.

How does Tsiolkas manage to get into so many minds? From Greek grandparents, to teenagers, white Australians with damaged pasts, to an Indian career woman, he nails them all. I am in awe.
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The Slap was Christos Tsiolkas’ fourth novel. It won the 2009 Commonwealth Writer’s prize for best novel in South East Asia and South Pacific Area. It was adapted into an Australian Miniseries, and later a US miniseries.