Review by hannxm - Tender Is the Flesh

hannxm 's review for:

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

2.0

challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I don't really know what to say about this book. It certainly didn't meet my expectations. It felt like a book for vegetarians and vegans (aside from the animal death and cruelty), trying to point out what humans put animals through when they go to slaughter and are used for lab testing. That I could've got behind as it would've been thought provoking, and at times, it is, but it eventually became a sadist novel, with no real point to it. The ending felt rushed and was just stupid imo. The reviews make out it's some massive ending but it wasn't worth it for me.
Some characters, like Mari and Nelida, acted almost childishly and said some stupid things in the context they were in. The dialogue in general wasn't particularly strong.
There's quite a gross sex scene in it that almost made me quit reading. It ultimately became one of those scenes just thrown in for effect as the character the protagonist sleeps with almost immediately disappears from the storyline afterwards.
The protagonist isn't likeable, and he ultimately

cheats twice on his wife, who verrryyy rapidly is okay with it because now they have a baby together? 🙃

Don't feel like you're missing out if you don't read this book, you're probably better off not reading it anyway.

Content Warnings