A review by sakisreads
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

4.0

This is definitely not my usual type of story, but let me give you a little context as to why I ended up reading it!

I was at a restaurant in London with my friend; we’re both big foodies so we wanted to try out a tasting menu at a hip hotel. A man was sat across from us, enjoying the same tasting menu and a bottle of wine by himself, and reading this book. As an avid reader (and as a big introvert who loved that he could come and enjoy a tasting menu and wine alone!), I had to know what he was reading. So I asked and he held this up, only giving me a tiny peek on what the book was going to delve into! 😳

If anyone knows of this man, please tell him that I want to discuss this book with him and that I want more recommendations ✨

Anyway, I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. It’s evidently VERY creepy and is intended to horrify/shock, but I still felt like I gasped a lot. There were also elements of humour, which was quite refreshing for a book about legalised cannibalism 😂
When he impregnated ‘Jasmine’, I was aghast but also couldn’t stop reading! 😫

There is commentary on government VS the people, grief and race. I will put the content warnings down below.

Thank you so much ✨

Expand filter menu Content Warnings