A review by avrilamber
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I think this was a well executed story. The concept is on the more disturbing side and having a morally ambiguous narrator does lend itself to the controversial concept that exists within this world quite well. The narrative I think is intentionally delivered with as much matter-of-factness as possible to increase the unsettling nature of this plot. This method of storytelling didn’t quite have the desired affect for me as I think I’m more desensitised to darker material, but I think the plot is an interesting concept and the last 5 or so pages were quite a surprise for me.

There is quite a sudden shift in the narrator’s motivations about halfway through the novel, along with a significant time jump, which I think took me out of the story and took a little while to get back into the swing of things. Overall, it’s a fully realised concept with a dark nature that doesn’t take too long to get through. 
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