Review by potatofiend - Tender Is the Flesh

potatofiend 's review for:

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

4.0

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I have never felt so gutted after reading a book. But I do think that this book was worth reading even if it was very disturbing as I think it has intriguing themes and takes on humanity.
Now, I have read alot of Bazterrica's work at this point and I think the reason why I didn't rate it higher is because it lacks an atmosphere and hold that her other works I liked have had. This is also the first one where I wish there was more "meat" in the middle. I felt we could have explored this world and the characters more as some things felt rushed. The translation and editing was also a bit jarring at some points, but not enough to be a major turn off.
But I do adore Bazterrica's work and do wish I could read her books in her native tongue. Her stories really feel like reading dark dystopian fairytales.
And I will give this book the fact that an ending has never ever hit me this hard in a long time. I think the way the prose is so simple and straightforward really added to that.

Content Warnings