A review by mcrespo
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

3.75

cause you're just a man .... it's just what you do (@ Marcos). no but in all seriousness, this novel offers some apt commentary on capitalism, and i think it perfectly depicts how pressures from societal expectations and grief can push anyone to abandon their morality. i do wish that the theme of feminism, which seemed to be touched on with Dr. Valka, was more developed, and i think that Bazterrica had a few missed opportunities to offer some meaningful commentary on the way forces like capitalism, racism, misogyny all come together to play a role in society's demise, but if you're in the market for a dystopian fiction that critiques capitalism, this is a great novel with a strong conclusion. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Cannibalism, and Murder

Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Death of parent