A review by gardens_and_dragons
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

challenging dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Interesting concept of a dystopian society based around consuming other humans because of a virus that wipes out all animals we consume. But it can’t stand on concept alone - the character is flat, and felt more like a mouthpiece for the author. It’s a novella of horror, the shock value of a cannibal future to show why eating meat is wrong (the author is vegan). 
The main character’s actions are… frustrating. Maybe that was the point. I think that the more was a lot of added schlock that wasn’t necessary for the horror to be… more horrific… if that makes sense. Graphic for the sake of shock. I thought this would be more interesting and have more thematic elements it would explore, but each chapter kind of reintroduces a new aspect of the animal product industry and it feels circular. 
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