The Slap

Hector and his wife Aisha invite family and friends to attend a family barbecue. All is going well until Hugo, one of the young children present, loses his temper and lashes out. His parents do not discipline him but eventually peace is restored. Later on the child has another break-down and when one adult, not related to the child, intervenes the child kicks him in the leg. Unfortunately the man slaps the four year old boy causing horror and a variety of reactions from those present, as well as bringing an early end to the barbecue.

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas examines the aftermath of the slap from the perspective of eight of the adults present at the barbecue including, a family friend - Anouk, Hector's cousin - Harry, Connie who works with Aisha, Hugo's mother - Rosie, Hector's father - Manolis, Connie's friend - Richie, as well as Hector and Aisha. The novel deals with many topics including family relationships and values, parenting, discipline, respect, marital relationships. It also provides a glimpse of multicultural Melbourne at the beginning of the 21st century.

Awards and commendations for The Slap: Australian Literary Society Gold Medal 2008; Commonwealth Writers' Prize - best book - 2009; Shortlisted for Miles Franklin Award 2009; Winner of Nielsen BookData Booksellers' Choice Award 2009; Victorian Premier's Literary Awards - Winner of Vance Palmer Prize for fiction 2009 and long listed for the Man Booker Prize in 2010.

The book was the basis for an eight episode television series made in Australia 2011. The series was remade for an American audience in 2015.