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theminemx 's review for:
Tender Is the Flesh
by Agustina Bazterrica
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A lot has been said about this book I am probably just going to repeat but I need to get my thoughts out.
The strengths of this book are plenty. The tension and discomfort I felt whilst reading it actually lead to me needing to put it down a few times. The push and the pull that Marcos feels whilst navigating the world around him, his judgement of people around him whilst partaking in similar, if not worse, behaviours.
I can see why people think the ending is abrupt, and it definitely feels that way when you reach it. But I think I liked the ending. The sudden full-stop to the story, nothing has changed and nothing will. We don’t need to read more to know Marcos’ life isn’t impacted by anything that’s happened.Cecelia is back and they have a baby again. His life has repaired itself so he’s free to carry on.
All this to say, there’s absolutely some weak points. There’s a lot of filler that feels unnecessary to the plot. The characters, whilst written well, are unbearable. The tropes and message of the book are very on the nose.
Overall, I did really enjoy this. I enjoyed being made to squirm and face moral questioning, even if it was loud and in red and bold lettering. A shameless and unapologetic dystopia.
The strengths of this book are plenty. The tension and discomfort I felt whilst reading it actually lead to me needing to put it down a few times. The push and the pull that Marcos feels whilst navigating the world around him, his judgement of people around him whilst partaking in similar, if not worse, behaviours.
I can see why people think the ending is abrupt, and it definitely feels that way when you reach it. But I think I liked the ending. The sudden full-stop to the story, nothing has changed and nothing will. We don’t need to read more to know Marcos’ life isn’t impacted by anything that’s happened.
All this to say, there’s absolutely some weak points. There’s a lot of filler that feels unnecessary to the plot. The characters, whilst written well, are unbearable. The tropes and message of the book are very on the nose.
Overall, I did really enjoy this. I enjoyed being made to squirm and face moral questioning, even if it was loud and in red and bold lettering. A shameless and unapologetic dystopia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Dementia, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism