A review by pigeonpersona
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This novel knew exactly what it was doing, and it did it terribly, awfully well. I was nauseous for about the first three quarters of reading this, and well that might not be "enjoyable" I was so impressed by the author's ability to create that emotion and physical reaction. It's a novel that really speaks to what or society will tolerate and why, and the great lengths to which propaganda can change people. I think this belongs in the great literary canon that contains Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, and 1984.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Moderate: Dementia, Grief