A review by eve_reads
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 Overall Thoughts:
⁕ This book is straight up brutal. It takes a look at the "special meat" industry from start to finish in specific detail that is no way allegorical. This books is not for the faint of heart.

⁕ Bazterrica does a fantastic job creating moral conflict by exploring how humans rationalize cannibalism through euphemisms and language changes. However, I do wish that the narrative covered the transition period over which cannibalism became acceptable (instead of life after the fact). I think It would have been much more impactful to see that process occur as the reader than just the aftermath of it.

⁕ SPOILER: The plot twist ending was a big surprise, and most definitely contributed to the horror and general hopelessness that transpires across the entire novel. In that way, it makes sense. However, given Marcos' repulsion towards and refusal to emotionally accept cannibalism, it was confusing developmentally for his character to murder the "specimen" he'd been given without any prior build up to such a dramatic shift in his thoughts/actions.


To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings