Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - Tender Is the Flesh

Systematic, organized cannibalism on a global scale. The world governments have turned to cannibalism in order to handle overpopulation, poverty, crime, etc. The "Transition" proved hard at first, for some it was almost impossible, but eventually everyone becomes accustomed to "special meat."
I honestly greatly enjoyed this story, but it is not an easy read. My stomach was twisting up to the very last page with so many parts completely stopping me in my tracks. The book's use of language as a way to show how detached and delusional humanity is as people are literally farm, slaughtering, and eating other people is incredible and the Third person limited is perfect. This story also had one of the most amazing ends that I've ever read. I couldnt have imagined this book finishing in any other way.

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missrisslee's review

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is distributing and gruesome with an ending that absolutely shook me.

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branwynnemay's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Word to the wise: if you’re an empathetic person, do not just pick this one up.

The bleakness of The Jungle and the unrelenting horror of human nature of Parable of the Sower, The Road and 1984… but without any of the goodness those story’s authors offer the reader to hold on to. After all, to live in this world and be good, one would go insane- just as to read this book and be good, the reader must disassociate and consistently hold counsel with the questions this story begs. How deep is our collective cognitive dissonance that we can eat meat? Why don’t we care more about how our food is raised and slaughtered? What is our relationship to each other, ourselves and nature? If sociopaths have no empathy, what are we, and who do we want to be?

This story was too dark for me, too painful and despairing. It’s honestly the most horrific book I have ever read and I felt traumatized when it was over. The only way I should have read it was in small doses with a large book club who met often to have long discussions and support one another.

But I didn’t. And I’m sorry.

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ingmund's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No

5.0

It is horrible. So horrible. The author takes a completely horrifying premise, then spins it, giving us a view of so many different, terrible ways it impacts the world. The main character is completely fascinating, and it is constantly a challenge to figure out his ethical lines - I found myself alternately sympathizing with him and seeing him as a monster.
So, it's awful, but also so beautifully wrought that I can't give it any fewer than 5 stars. The last line literally took my breath away.

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rkorevenge's review

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challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This made me queasy and the ending is horrific. Not for the faint of heart. Seriously, check trigger warnings. This was the most vicious storytelling I’ve ever encountered and it just doesn’t stop. It’s just absolutely brutal from the first page to the last. The ending literally made me throw the book across the room in anger. I’ve never had such a visceral reaction to a book. It’s a good book but I will never read it again. I don’t have to read it again honestly because the last line will haunt me for the rest of my life. This is a truly horrific imaging of atrocities that our infrastructures, languages, cultures, and governments are capable of implementing and justifying- and how quickly we would allow it to happen.

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mzry's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Tender is the Flesh was a horrifying, yet fascinating read. I was terrified every page I turned. When I thought it couldn't get any worse, I was unpleasantly surprised. Some of it can be difficult to understand, as it seems like some wording gets fumbled in translation, but nothing too bad.

That being said, this is not for the faint of heart. Very difficult, disturbing subjects are covered; the detailed graphic violence of the procedures used in the processing plants to procure the "special meat" is not easy to stomach, and it never gets easier.

It gave me a lot to think about. I find myself appreciating my life more, reflecting on who we could be. I feel like humanity would travel this direction when faced with

cannibalism on a daily basis. Meat is stolen, and no one is safe. You have to be present during cremation to confirm it was done as grave robbing and businesses selling off corpses is rampant in this world. People pay extra for 24/7 security nursing homes so their loved ones aren't eaten.

It was a fantastic read. I have a new perspective to think from, to consider. That's the point of reading, isn't it?

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