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David Szalay's "All That Man Is" is a collection of nine interconnected stories that explore the themes of masculinity, aging, and the search for meaning in life. Through its vivid characters and piercing observations, the book provides a powerful commentary on the human condition and the struggles of modern man.The stories are set across different countries in Europe, each featuring a different male protagonist at a different stage in his life. The first story introduces us to a seventeen-year-old English boy, Simon, who is spending his summer vacation in the south of France with his parents. In the second story, we meet a Belgian man, Bernard, who is on a business trip to Germany and struggling with the isolation and alienation of his modern corporate life. The third story follows a Hungarian man, Balazs, who is traveling through Spain and contemplating his past and present relationships.One of the recurring themes in the book is the struggle of men to find their place in the world and to define their identities. In many of the stories, the protagonists are at a crossroads in their lives, grappling with the uncertainty and ambiguity of their futures. Simon, for example, is faced with the prospect of leaving school and starting his adult life, while Bernard is confronted with the realization that his job and his lifestyle have left him feeling empty and unfulfilled.The book also explores the role of masculinity and the changing expectations of men in modern society. The male characters in the stories are often portrayed as struggling to live up to traditional ideals of masculinity, such as strength, courage, and assertiveness. Balazs, for example, is depicted as being unsure of how to act around women, and he feels emasculated by his inability to assert himself in his relationships.Another important theme in the book is the idea of aging and mortality. Many of the stories feature older male characters who are facing the inevitability of their own mortality and reflecting on their lives. In the fourth story, we meet a retired British diplomat, Henry, who is spending his twilight years in a villa in Italy. As he reflects on his past, he realizes that he has lived a life of privilege and comfort, but that he has never truly felt alive.Through its complex and nuanced characters, "All That Man Is" offers a powerful commentary on the human condition and the challenges of modern life. The book raises important questions about the nature of identity, the meaning of masculinity, and the inevitability of aging and mortality. With its piercing insights and richly detailed prose, it is a powerful and thought-provoking work that will resonate with readers long after they have turned the final page.