Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

24 reviews

mzry's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Body horror

laurbretz's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I’ve never been this shocked at a book because of all its descriptive horror. I don’t read too much in this genre, but the commentary drew me in despite the gore. However, I think it was a bit too much and lost its shock vale. It was drawn out, and the ending didn’t make much considering the main characters development through the novel. Strong content warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Blood, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Cannibalism, and Injury/Injury detail

rachelreads2453's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This book is one that, I believe, will stick with me for a while. There were some fascinating thoughts and quotes about what happens when, as a society, people use language to make the disturbing and unpalatable feel commonplace. I went into this book with an open mind, and was shocked by the ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, Dementia, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Medical content, Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Cannibalism, and Classism

babieghoul's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Torture