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A review by noosh_pdf
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
"I know that when I die somebody’s going to sell my flesh on the black market, one of my awful distant relatives. That’s why I smoke and drink, so I taste bitter and no one gets any pleasure out of my death.” -Spanel
"She had the look of a domesticated animal," -Marcos Tejo
Just wow.
An utterly disgusting, stomach churning, gut wrenching book. Completely revolting. But I loved it.
The book is beautiful in such a way it is absolutely atrocious to read, the descriptions the author uses disgust me to a point of gagging. I have to say, although I loved it, it was not much of a memorable read.
It's not the best book, but it's definitely worth the time I spent. If you do wish to read this, I highly advise you to check the trigger warnings because even for me, it was terrifying.
The book itself is very slow paced, the actuality of whats happening does not reveal itself until Part Two of the book, however, I think that was the whole point of this novel.
Personally, if everyone had resorted to cannibalism for meat, I'd just go vegan, as long as I have seasoning with me, I'd eat plain lettuce for all that matters.
Now the plot itself, is basically about Marcos Tejo and how his wife is struggling after the death of their baby, Leo. This book exists in a dystopian world where all animals have been affected by a Virus and people have resorted to special meat for survival since they can't live without meat. The special meat in this case is Human Meat. Humans are specifically breeded for slaughter and are referred to as, "Heads" because they hold no specific value in life and can't speak since their vocal cords have been cut out.
That's all I will say about the description.
I do think this book showcases the inhumanity some people can posses, the craze for murder and blood. I have nothing else to say.
Read for yourself and see how the ending just leaves you speechless and disgusted.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Dementia, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic