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...
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Feb 18, 2012
Knowledge Lost
rated it: 
You’ll ever love it or hate it; Christos Tsiolkas’ controversial novel The Slap is heavy reading and very confronting and it all starts with a Slap. The Slap starts at a barbeques for group of family and friends, when one adult slaps an unrelated child the universal tension begins. The book changes perspectives from the different characters at the Barbeque to show different emotions and feelings about the events.
The Slap is a heavy read, going through topics like Discipline, Child Rai More...
The Slap is a heavy read, going through topics like Discipline, Child Rai More...
2 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Jan 29, 2012
Jay
rated it: 
I likened reading this book to sitting down in front of a television, watching two weeks of bad Australian teledrama without any preamble, then standing up at a random point in the story and wandering away.
There is no real introduction. There is absolutely no climax and no closure. This is a snippet from the lives of a singularly miserable cast of misogynists, adulterers and straight up train-wreck human beings, without a single redeemable character among them.
The incide More...
There is no real introduction. There is absolutely no climax and no closure. This is a snippet from the lives of a singularly miserable cast of misogynists, adulterers and straight up train-wreck human beings, without a single redeemable character among them.
The incide More...
14 comments
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(12 people liked it)
Aug 02, 2010
Patrick
rated it:
I do not consider The Slap to be a great piece of writing - I feel it was created to provide mass appeal. I found the quality of writing a little patchy, and in places offensive.
The basic premise is an interesting one - the "incident" at the party and how it affects the lives of the people involved, which in turn leads to a description, history and character study of a group of loosely interrelated people. The big moral question of whether the actions and reactions f More...
The basic premise is an interesting one - the "incident" at the party and how it affects the lives of the people involved, which in turn leads to a description, history and character study of a group of loosely interrelated people. The big moral question of whether the actions and reactions f More...
19 comments
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(38 people liked it)
Sep 03, 2011
Dave
rated it: 
The Good - An easy enough read with interesting topics of debate (whether it's appropriate to hit a child, fidelity, drugs), and a modern/diverse cast of characters. I read somewhere that it's like a long episode of neighbours,but souped with with lots of swearing... pretty accurate.
The Bad - The title of the book. The opening chapter - characters are introduced at a very fast pace so you've not a clue who is who. Language used isn't amazing, cliches, lots of pointless swearing (Too much use of More...
The Bad - The title of the book. The opening chapter - characters are introduced at a very fast pace so you've not a clue who is who. Language used isn't amazing, cliches, lots of pointless swearing (Too much use of More...
3 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Mar 06, 2011
Sean
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 08, 2011
Banafsheh
rated it: 
A group of people are gathered at a suburban Barbecue. During the afternoon an incident between one of the guests and a four year old result in consequences that directly, or indirectly, affect all who are present.
Told as a collection of short stories through the perspective of eight characters, all with different background, age, ethnicity and value systems, The Slap is a provocative, unflinching novel that explores our inner most beliefs and the conflicting issues we face. I enjoyed More...
Told as a collection of short stories through the perspective of eight characters, all with different background, age, ethnicity and value systems, The Slap is a provocative, unflinching novel that explores our inner most beliefs and the conflicting issues we face. I enjoyed More...
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(5 people liked it)
Sep 30, 2011
Nicola
rated it:
The Slap wasn't really anything like I was expected. From the title and the description, I expected the plot to be focused around the aftermath of Harry slapping his friends' child. Instead, it really just focused around the relationships of all the acquaintances and their personal lives. The Slap was mentioned a few times throughout the book but it really felt like it was in the background. I found it very hard to like any of the character as they were all incredibly selfish and hate-filled but
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2 comments
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(6 people liked it)
May 10, 2011
Ali
rated it:
This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Filled with despicable but ultimately somehow sympathetic characters, a microcosm of friends and family becomes a commentary on the social make-up of the city of Melbourne, the country of Australia, and perhaps the world. That the story is told from multiple perspectives but still chronologically (ie. the episode around which the plot is centred isn't retold again and again) is genius and the complex, nuanced emotions of, reactions to and
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 20, 2011
Simone
rated it:
I was really looking forward to this book, but although I'm not certain whether I found it engrossing or just gross.
There were a few things I liked about this book, sadly they were not related to any of the main characters.
The story of the slap itself is nothing and my interest in the principle players was almost nothing as well.
However, some of the sideline characters were great, but that actually only served to frustrate me more.
This book was written More...
There were a few things I liked about this book, sadly they were not related to any of the main characters.
The story of the slap itself is nothing and my interest in the principle players was almost nothing as well.
However, some of the sideline characters were great, but that actually only served to frustrate me more.
This book was written More...
Apr 30, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
This isn't any old review. My opinion on this book has sparked an idea for a discussion I'd like to have with you about offensive content in novels. I'd like to know how you react to it. But first, let's get to my review of this book.
This book was written by a very highly acclaimed Australian/Greek author. I have to say, that I admire him and his blatant honesty. And this is the first book I've read of his. I find it hilarious how so many people who have read this book have given it More...
This book was written by a very highly acclaimed Australian/Greek author. I have to say, that I admire him and his blatant honesty. And this is the first book I've read of his. I find it hilarious how so many people who have read this book have given it More...
25 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2012
Goldie
rated it:
I was swept along, kicking and screaming, by the writing and the premise of the story. The kicking and screaming (and the reason this is a four star rather than a five star review) is because of the highly offensive language. Yes. It's probably exactly what you would expect to hear, but ick, nonetheless. Still, every time I wanted to put this work down, Tsiolkas showed the essential humanity of even the gruffest character, and I was drawn back in.
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 06, 2009
Margot
rated it:
This book is about 'family' and what goes on under the surface. A great Xmas read if you happen to be with your family, which I was! It's a very good read and he is an inspiring writer. Tough and uncompromising and surprising. I keep returning to it.
Feb 02, 2012
Mish
rated it:
I’m probably one of the few people in my group of friends that actually finished this book. I don’t think I have ever read a book that has left me with such raw and mixed emotions before. I was totally drained! There were at times when I wanted to fling the book against the wall in utter disgust and there were others where I felt such sympathy for the characters inner turmoil that I wanted to embraces them and tell them it was all okay. This was a very hard book to read. But the thing I really l
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(2 people liked it)
Mar 31, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
From very early on I just didn't care about any of the characters, they were all awful!! I finished it, but hate that I wasted my time on this book and these horrible people.
2 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Feb 10, 2012
Andy
rated it:
Reading the reviews and opinions of The Slap is almost as diverting and possibly more enjoyable than reading the book itself. You really need to read it though to join in.
I actually liked it a lot, despite reservations about a variety of issues, the generally unpleasant characters, a difficult first chapter to get into and a somewhat depressing (at times) tone. There is very little black and white along with very little in the way of resolution or definitive statement. Like much of More...
I actually liked it a lot, despite reservations about a variety of issues, the generally unpleasant characters, a difficult first chapter to get into and a somewhat depressing (at times) tone. There is very little black and white along with very little in the way of resolution or definitive statement. Like much of More...
Feb 06, 2012
Kirsty (Book - Love - Bug)
rated it:
I'm one of those people that starts reading a book or watching a film and I'll always finish it, no matter what. It doesn't matter if the film bores me or it's 3am and I have to be up at 6am, it has to be finished once its started. If a book is lagging, I'll always finish it because you never know what will happen when you turn the next page. Therefore, you'll see that it takes a lot for me to abandon a book. With this book, however, I couldn't even get beyond page 54.
It's full of ch More...
It's full of ch More...
Jan 27, 2012
Ian
rated it:
I watched the tv programme before reading the book. Both are excellent. The series follows the same format with an episode representing a chapter, telling the story of 8 different characters. All the characters were at a family BBQ when the worlds worst child got a slap from an adult.
Initially, I did not know how this could fill a book. The central act drives the narrative but by exploring the characters, the author is allowed to explore many themes including death, families, hom More...
Initially, I did not know how this could fill a book. The central act drives the narrative but by exploring the characters, the author is allowed to explore many themes including death, families, hom More...
Jan 25, 2012
Katja
rated it:
A man slaps a child at a Melbourne barbeque, leading to a series of life-shaking events.
I was surprised at the deeply psychological nature of this book – more than anything, I found it to be an intriguing character study of eight Melbournians. Aesthetically speaking, the writing is by no means beautiful, but it is devastatingly effective. Tsiolkas masterfully weaves his way in and out of the heads of his characters - the way he tracks their thoughts and feelings, moment to moment, is More...
I was surprised at the deeply psychological nature of this book – more than anything, I found it to be an intriguing character study of eight Melbournians. Aesthetically speaking, the writing is by no means beautiful, but it is devastatingly effective. Tsiolkas masterfully weaves his way in and out of the heads of his characters - the way he tracks their thoughts and feelings, moment to moment, is More...
Jan 23, 2012
S'hi
rated it: 
While I agree the structure and pacing of this work is masterful, I do have misgivings about Tsiolkas’s most recent novel. The Slap focuses on perceptions of violence within the most domestic of Australian situations – a barbeque. From here it fans out into the backgrounds and future ramifications for eight of the people present at the time of the incident. By doing so it very cleverly brings to light a whole range of situations which are not normally likely to be witnessed by others. The ways i
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Jan 18, 2012
Marissa
rated it:
This novel starts out with an interesting premise--a man slaps his acquaintances' obnoxious child at a party. But the book ends up being, in fact, dreadfully dull.
In addition to a dozen or so primary characters, who lack both honor and appeal, Tsiolkas offers brief appearances by zillions of undefined supporting characters. Tsiolkas's characters have endless repeating conversations ("He shouldn't have slapped the boy"/"But the boy deserved it!"), take many types of More...
In addition to a dozen or so primary characters, who lack both honor and appeal, Tsiolkas offers brief appearances by zillions of undefined supporting characters. Tsiolkas's characters have endless repeating conversations ("He shouldn't have slapped the boy"/"But the boy deserved it!"), take many types of More...
Jan 16, 2012
Meg
rated it:
Christos has done a brilliant job of picking out people from backyards, in a "normal" situation and just turned the dial up a little. He has allowed us to peer into the windows of all of the people involved afterward to understand the aftershock that can only come from these things. He has highlighted how these situations do happen, can happen, in your suburbia, our suburbia. All of us, all of our suburbs have ugly characters. Situations that are cranked up a little can turn ugly, and
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Jan 15, 2012
Carly
rated it:
Wow, I was so disappointed by this novel. Overwritten, pages and pages of unnecessary descriptions, too many adjectives, no storyline whatsoever, it just peters off into nothingness. Many of the scenes are jaw-droppingly unconvincing.
There is a scene with Rosie and Anouk fighting about the "slap" and two seconds later Rosie forgives her and they are best friends again. What kind of women has the author been hanging around? The same When Richie takes her child out for a walk More...
There is a scene with Rosie and Anouk fighting about the "slap" and two seconds later Rosie forgives her and they are best friends again. What kind of women has the author been hanging around? The same When Richie takes her child out for a walk More...
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Jan 10, 2012
Nick
rated it:
I don't think I'd have bought this if I hadn't seen it in a charity shop. An annoying kid gets slapped at a middle-class barbecue in Melbourne (and not by one of his parents), and the novel examines the repercussions from the points-of-view of different characters who witnessed the act. Most of the people Tsiolkas features are, to my mind, rather obnoxious, which is the author's point, I think. So first of all it's a real feat to engage readers with a novel that, for quite a way in, has no redee
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Jan 05, 2012
I stopped at about the second page. I was at a book sale, trying to decide if the book was worth buying, worth the hype. And, desperately trying to make a decision, I decided to read the first chapter. I mean, one of my favourite authors (Richelle Mead) always writes the most captivating first chapters (or books, as a matter of fact), so maybe I can judge this book by its first chapter, too..?
Meh.
I was greeted with exactly the type of writing I hate. Very impersonal, " More...
Meh.
I was greeted with exactly the type of writing I hate. Very impersonal, " More...
Dec 19, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
The Slap (2008) is Christos Tsiolkas’s divisive novel about the use of corporal punishment to discipline children, and a scathing indictment of Melbourne’s middle classes and their failings. The titular event occurs in the first chapter when Hugo, a stroppy four-year-old, acts up at a suburban barbecue and Harry, one of the guests, takes discipline into his own hands, slapping Hugo across the face. Hugo’s new age parents are furious with Harry and the barbecue dissolves into bitter accusations.
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Dec 14, 2011
Henry
rated it:
I read this while on holiday in Lanzarote, prompted by a recommendation. I have seen none of the TV series, but will probably do so in time. I found it difficult to put down for all that it is such an endictment on human nature. The characters are, with few exceptions, awful. I feel concerned that the Australian way of life - "culture" if you like is being portrayed in a poor light. Do people really use such obscenities in their day to day conversation? I am a recently retired doctor a
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Nov 21, 2011
Cathy
rated it:
I have to admit my interest in this book was renewed when the ABC series aired. I had always found the novel’s premise appealing – at a backyard barbeque, a man slaps a child who is not his own – but I had put off reading it for a few years because the reviews were so mixed. People seemed to either love it or hate it. Obviously, based on my four-star rating, I loved it! I thought it was an unflinching, complex and insightful examination of family, parenting, sex, multiculturalism, modern values
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Nov 09, 2011
Kami
rated it:
Potentially great premise - someone disciplining someone else's kid leads to all sorts of conflict - but that isn't really what this book is exploring. It ultimately reads like a series of essays that feel suspiciously like a delivery of the author's opinions at times rather than the stories of the characters he is trying to portray.
There are some decent moments of characterisation, the unpolished gems of something, so I mostly rate it so low because it's as a whole unnecessarily long More...
There are some decent moments of characterisation, the unpolished gems of something, so I mostly rate it so low because it's as a whole unnecessarily long More...
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Oct 12, 2011
Josephine
rated it:
The best thing to me about this book was the idea. It’s a cracker and I love the way that it’s set up as told through the different character’s perspective and how Hugo being slapped results in all their lives being altered in some way. The book was so disappointing. I had been looking forward to it for ages but really loathed the characters and found all the sex scenes so unrealistic. I don’t believe that everyone continually thinks about masturbation non-stop and I found it all too gimmicky
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Oct 12, 2011
ilike
rated it:
I have mixed-bag reactions to 'these are our times' novels. Often, I find myself wishing the author didn't have this overwhelming urge to convince me beyond a shadow of a doubt that he or she is down with today via laborious political diatribes and annoying brand-name-drops.
Tsiolkas' novel avoids many possible tedious references by (mostly) sticking closely to the story at hand: A man slaps a misbehaving child at a barbeque who is not his son. Shenanigans ensue.
As the tea More...
Tsiolkas' novel avoids many possible tedious references by (mostly) sticking closely to the story at hand: A man slaps a misbehaving child at a barbeque who is not his son. Shenanigans ensue.
As the tea More...
