Super Short Summary

Set among young, middle-class families in Melbourne, Australian author Christos Tsiolkas's novel The Slap (2008) follows the drama that unfolds after a father slaps his neighbor's misbehaving child at a barbecue, revealing the diverse perspectives of those involved, including infidelities, class tensions, and personal conflicts. The novel won the 2009 Commonwealth Writer’s Prize and was adapted into television series in Australia and the U.S. Involves infidelity, suicide attempt, and sexual assault allegations.