A review by mollybryann
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Super graphic and a level of gore that I found difficult to read. Not even the moral codings of the gore that were making it difficult to read, but just the actual descriptions of meat and blood. The translation was also a bit rough, there were some convoluted metaphors and clunky transitions.  That being said, I was compelled to read it, hence the high rating. 

A lot of reviews I read interpreted it as a meditation on veganism and the morals of animal abuse that we have normalized in society. They criticized the book for the poor, flippant handling of consent and rape. However, I read the entire book as sort of an allegory for rape and the effect of not looking head-on at some of the assault in the book didn’t really take away from that purpose for me because the only POV we are getting is somebody complicit in that rape culture. 

I commend the ability of the writer to be able to hide the nature of the main character for so long and make us believe as readers that he was so different than the cloth with which he was made

“Because hatred gives one strength to go on; it maintains the fragile structure, it weaves the threads together so that emptiness doesn't take over everything. He wishes he could hate someone for the death of his son. But who can he blame for a sudden death? He tried to hate God, but he doesn't believe in God. He tried to hate all of humanity for being so fragile and ephemeral, but he couldn't keep it up because hating everyone is the same as hating no one. He also wishes he could break like Ency, but his collapse never comes.“