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A review by unfetteredfiction
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
4.0
“While he removes his soaked shirt, he tries to clear the persistent idea that this is what they are: humans bred as animals for consumption. He goes to the refrigerator and pours himself cold water. He drinks it slowly. His brain warns him that there are words that cover up the world.”
- Agustina Bazterrica, Tender is the Flesh, translated by Sarah Moses
Loved this book so much that I read it in two sittings. The quote is taken from the first page, which really lets you know that there will be no beating around the bush here; this book is about breeding, killing, and eating human beings.
In a dystopian future we’re told a virus, one fatal to humans, has spread throughout the animal kingdom, putting an abrupt stop to the farming and consumption of meat. The result isn’t veganism but a swift change in legislation which lets humans be bred, sold, butchered etc… they’re given the name “special meat”.
I thought that this novel would be too silly to be conceivable, but I was wrong, it wasn’t just conceivable but it was believable. The story’s little details were enough to firmly plant us in a world in which it was totally acceptable to eat other people. The plot moved at such a good pace too, which I think is what helped me read it so quickly. As we follow the life of a ‘processing plant’ worker, whom I was rooting for, we are left shocked and stunned at his final decisions. I felt vibes of Atwood all over this work, particularly at the end, but with its own point of view.
There are so many themes running throughout this book which provide ‘food for thought’. What is the difference between eating animals and eating humans? Is there one? Is it okay to work a job purely because you need the money, even if it’s morally questionable? Surely legality never ensures morality? Does removing someone’s vocal chords make them any more suitable for consumption? Is the government lying to us? How do we deal with overpopulation? Is it okay to experiment on humans for medical science?
Anyway, what a treat, can’t wait to read this again.
- Agustina Bazterrica, Tender is the Flesh, translated by Sarah Moses
Loved this book so much that I read it in two sittings. The quote is taken from the first page, which really lets you know that there will be no beating around the bush here; this book is about breeding, killing, and eating human beings.
In a dystopian future we’re told a virus, one fatal to humans, has spread throughout the animal kingdom, putting an abrupt stop to the farming and consumption of meat. The result isn’t veganism but a swift change in legislation which lets humans be bred, sold, butchered etc… they’re given the name “special meat”.
I thought that this novel would be too silly to be conceivable, but I was wrong, it wasn’t just conceivable but it was believable. The story’s little details were enough to firmly plant us in a world in which it was totally acceptable to eat other people. The plot moved at such a good pace too, which I think is what helped me read it so quickly. As we follow the life of a ‘processing plant’ worker, whom I was rooting for, we are left shocked and stunned at his final decisions. I felt vibes of Atwood all over this work, particularly at the end, but with its own point of view.
There are so many themes running throughout this book which provide ‘food for thought’. What is the difference between eating animals and eating humans? Is there one? Is it okay to work a job purely because you need the money, even if it’s morally questionable? Surely legality never ensures morality? Does removing someone’s vocal chords make them any more suitable for consumption? Is the government lying to us? How do we deal with overpopulation? Is it okay to experiment on humans for medical science?
Anyway, what a treat, can’t wait to read this again.