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kjonker's reviews
68 reviews
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
๐ "Does this pose a moral dilemma for you? Do you find it atrocious?โ he asks. โNot at all. The human being is complex and I find the vile acts, contradictions, and sublimities characteristic of our condition astonishing. Our existence would be an exasperating shade of gray if we were all flawless."
This book doesn't push the lines of morality, it completely obliterates them. When a "virus" allegedly infects all animals, cannibalism is legalized and normalized; this is referred to as "the Transition". Changing the way society speaks of their own acts cannibalism seems to completely release them of the moral dilemma of eating another human being.
๐"No one can call them humans because that would mean giving them an identity. They call them product, or meat, or food. Except for him; he would prefer not to have to call them by any name."
This book!
As I read this story, I continued to see it as an allegory of the dangers of inequality, corrupt power and groupthink. I couldn't help but think how society becomes desensitized more and more easily it seems and how quickly ideas become accepted as fact without much thought given to the ramifications, morally or otherwise, of blindly following "the leader". Social Media exacerbates this phenomena, in my opinion. If you recall the fairly recent Tik Tok trends that had kids doing all manner of violence and vandalism. The FOMO and groupthink produced from those events should actually scare us more than it does (insert "Ok, Boomer" here if you must ๐คทโโ๏ธ)
๐"After all, since the world began, weโve been eating each other. If not symbolically, then weโve been literally gorging on each other. The Transition has enabled us to be less hypocritical."
โ ๏ธThis whole book is a trigger warning. Cannibalism, violence against marginalized people, body horror, rape, dismemberment, torture, animal abuse, child death, infertility.... the list goes on and on...and on.โ ๏ธ
It's hard to put into words how I feel about this book. I don't want to say "I liked/loved it" or "I enjoyed it" because those phrases just don't set well in my gut when describing my feelings. I will say that this book made me think; it is a very thought provoking story and that I DO enjoy from a book.
This book doesn't push the lines of morality, it completely obliterates them. When a "virus" allegedly infects all animals, cannibalism is legalized and normalized; this is referred to as "the Transition". Changing the way society speaks of their own acts cannibalism seems to completely release them of the moral dilemma of eating another human being.
๐"No one can call them humans because that would mean giving them an identity. They call them product, or meat, or food. Except for him; he would prefer not to have to call them by any name."
This book!
As I read this story, I continued to see it as an allegory of the dangers of inequality, corrupt power and groupthink. I couldn't help but think how society becomes desensitized more and more easily it seems and how quickly ideas become accepted as fact without much thought given to the ramifications, morally or otherwise, of blindly following "the leader". Social Media exacerbates this phenomena, in my opinion. If you recall the fairly recent Tik Tok trends that had kids doing all manner of violence and vandalism. The FOMO and groupthink produced from those events should actually scare us more than it does (insert "Ok, Boomer" here if you must ๐คทโโ๏ธ)
๐"After all, since the world began, weโve been eating each other. If not symbolically, then weโve been literally gorging on each other. The Transition has enabled us to be less hypocritical."
โ ๏ธThis whole book is a trigger warning. Cannibalism, violence against marginalized people, body horror, rape, dismemberment, torture, animal abuse, child death, infertility.... the list goes on and on...and on.โ ๏ธ
It's hard to put into words how I feel about this book. I don't want to say "I liked/loved it" or "I enjoyed it" because those phrases just don't set well in my gut when describing my feelings. I will say that this book made me think; it is a very thought provoking story and that I DO enjoy from a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Infertility, Rape, Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cannibalism, Child death, Sexual violence, and Torture
Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
First of all, there were times that I felt the pages of this book were multiplying like wet Gremlins. It really stretched along for what seemed like forever in some areas. I think the fact that this book follows two timelines and bounces back and forth from present day to past had the most to do with this.
(Getting that out in the open and off my chest immediately. Whew! Better now.)
This story was a mysterious spool of multi-corded thread that was tugged a little through each chapter to slowly unraveled into a brilliant revelation of all the "pieces of her" (see what I did there?)
The timelines follow Andrea (present) and Jane (past) and the magnificently intriguing way that Slaughter melts the two stories into one. *chef's kiss* ๐๐
I'm ๐ here๐ for๐ it ๐
I'm always on board for conspiracies and cults and crazy, unhinged, unpredictable characters. Andrea (the protagonist) is on the run, not sure who to trust and discovering that her mother is NOT the person she thought she was. She's desperately trying to put together all the pieces of who her mother really is as the story continues to unfold for her at every neck breaking turn that she makes. The closer she gets to the truth the more mysterious it all becomes. Gah! I love this stuff!
Andrea was a struggle for me, to be honest. I felt that she was a complete and utter idiot (strong words, settle down!) and I did not like her at all through the majority of the book. She's a 31 year old who reads more like a 12 year old (I just can't!). She did have some redeeming character development at the end. Thankfully, not liking her didn't take away from the story at all.
Karin Slaughter did not disappoint with this one. Even though it felt like the story was dragging just a bit middle to end, I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.
(Getting that out in the open and off my chest immediately. Whew! Better now.)
This story was a mysterious spool of multi-corded thread that was tugged a little through each chapter to slowly unraveled into a brilliant revelation of all the "pieces of her" (see what I did there?)
The timelines follow Andrea (present) and Jane (past) and the magnificently intriguing way that Slaughter melts the two stories into one. *chef's kiss* ๐๐
I'm ๐ here๐ for๐ it ๐
I'm always on board for conspiracies and cults and crazy, unhinged, unpredictable characters. Andrea (the protagonist) is on the run, not sure who to trust and discovering that her mother is NOT the person she thought she was. She's desperately trying to put together all the pieces of who her mother really is as the story continues to unfold for her at every neck breaking turn that she makes. The closer she gets to the truth the more mysterious it all becomes. Gah! I love this stuff!
Andrea was a struggle for me, to be honest. I felt that she was a complete and utter idiot (strong words, settle down!) and I did not like her at all through the majority of the book. She's a 31 year old who reads more like a 12 year old (I just can't!). She did have some redeeming character development at the end. Thankfully, not liking her didn't take away from the story at all.
Karin Slaughter did not disappoint with this one. Even though it felt like the story was dragging just a bit middle to end, I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.
Tips for Living by Renee Shafransky
4.0
I liked this book more than I initially thought I would! I enjoyed the main character, Nora. I loved her "realness", flaws and self doubt that made her relatable. I love twists as much as the next person, but About 3/4 into the book I started getting a little exhausted with the many ways the story felt like it was turning, but I feel the author finally tied it up nicely. It was an enjoyable read!
Lies that Bind Us by Andrew Hart
3.0
It was hard to really get into this book because I didn't like any of the characters. The main character, Jan is beyond annoying.
The last quarter of the book, though so absurdly ridiculous was the best part. I kept thinking, "Come on already. Just end this story"!!!!
Some parts were entertaining, but as a whole.... not anything to rave about. I give it 3 stars for the last part and the crazy "twist" (even though I saw it coming) at the end...ish.
The last quarter of the book, though so absurdly ridiculous was the best part. I kept thinking, "Come on already. Just end this story"!!!!
Some parts were entertaining, but as a whole.... not anything to rave about. I give it 3 stars for the last part and the crazy "twist" (even though I saw it coming) at the end...ish.
Inferno by Dan Brown
5.0
I love Dan Brown!!
The Robert Langdon series is my favorite. I've been Hooked since the DaVinci Code... I'm not sure if this makes me biased or not.
I enjoyed this read. It was fast paced, full of twists and turns and lots of art and culture (as usual).
The Robert Langdon series is my favorite. I've been Hooked since the DaVinci Code... I'm not sure if this makes me biased or not.
I enjoyed this read. It was fast paced, full of twists and turns and lots of art and culture (as usual).