Tender Is the Flesh
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Book Overview
Working at the local processing plant, Marcos is in the business of slaughtering humans--though no one calls them that anymore. His wife has left him, his father is sinking into dementia, and Marcos tries not to think too hard about how he makes a living. After all, it happened so quickly. First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the "Transition." Now, eating human meat--"special meat"--is legal. Marcos tries to stick to numbers, consignments, processing. Then one day he's given a gift: a live specimen of the finest quality. Though he's aware that any form of personal contact is forbidden on pain of death, little by little he starts to treat her like a human being. And soon, he becomes tortured by what has been lost--and what might still be saved.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1982150920
ISBN13:9781982150921
Release Date:August 2020
Publisher:Scribner Book Company
Length:224 Pages
Weight:0.55 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 5.4" x 8.3"
Customer Reviews
10 ratings
Impactful horror dystopian novel.
Published by Hollie , 1 month ago
I guarantee you’ve never read a story like this. It’s emotional, graphic, heartbreaking, and won’t leave your head.
It should also give us all pause on how we treat animals here and now.
4.5 stars
Published by INKwitchery , 2 months ago
TENDER IS THE FLESH by Agustina Bazterrica
Taking place in a dystopian society where cannibalism has been declared legal, this follows Marcos who is just another cog in the wheel working at a “meat” processing plant.
Y’all, this was so messed up yet so fascinating. The world building was great and I love when books get straight to the point.
This story raises questions about our morals, ethics and societal values. It highlights how people can disagree with something morally *until* it benefits them. It illustrates how people can easily justify doing horrendous things to others they deem as “less than” and how *anyone* is capable of hatred, oppression and violence. A all too familiar horror story unfortunately.
Overall, a super disturbing and bleak yet highly impactful story. I do recommend this, but maaaaybe read it on an empty stomach. 😬
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Disappointed
Published by Pookiebear22 , 7 months ago
I expected much more from this reading. It took a few sharp turns that I wouldn’t have expected, but not good ones. I understand why the author did it for the character in the long run, but overall, I wish the book would’ve went a different direction than it did. Wouldn’t recommend or reread.
I Was Expecting More
Published by Britton , 9 months ago
It was good, but it didn't really blow my mind like I was anticipating. The writing style is very creative and the plot is original. However, with how much people hyped this book up on social media for being a gruesome horror novel with a thrilling twist, it really did not live up to the expectations that I had. There was some body horror, mostly on the tame side, and the twist was a bit underwhelming, solely because (in my opinion) there wasn't as much character development as there could have been leading up to it. Still worth a read if you're a horror/thriller fan!
Best book I read this year
Published by Rschroeder , 1 year ago
Excellent read from start to finish. Written in such a way that it is easy to read and understand. I hope to see more from this author.
Couldn’t put it down!
Published by Paulina , 1 year ago
Just the right amount of disturbing and made me hold my dog and cat extra close :( <3
A Rollarcoaster!
Published by Lee , 2 years ago
This book threw me for so many loops! It’s an amazing look at the extents of what atrocities humans can commit against one another and call it “normal.” Well written and worth a read!
A little disappointed
Published by Beck , 2 years ago
This book was recommended to me by several people so I came in with high expectations. Had I not, maybe I would have liked it better? The first half of the book is almost entirely dedicated to world building and nothing of real note actually happened until I was getting bored with the details. Without spoiling anything, I was also disappointed in the ending, which came across as impulsive. I'm sure the author was going for something there, but it just felt like a poor attempt at being edgy.
In terms of the overall dystopian and horror details, I found it a little predictable. If you've read other horror stories about cannibalism there's probably going to be some familiar beats. Once or twice I was a little shocked by some interesting or ironic twists on common details, but otherwise I felt like I saw most of the story coming (aside from that ending I mentioned.)
If you're REALLY into horror and dystopian novels, you'll probably like this one alright. Also, this book was originally written in Spanish and it might be worth reading it in both versions--i am a little curious if the overall tone of the book was altered in translation.
An intriguing dystopian fiction
Published by EnaSheemena , 3 years ago
This book was very in depth about its dystopian world, covering so many aspects that you don’t think about as a reader. This book pulls in the reader and doesn’t let go until it forcefully hits you with the last two pages. Best book I’ve read in a long time.
Disturbing dystopian story with a gory twist
Published by MelissaR93 , 3 years ago
The story follows a man who work at a meat processing plant and a near distant future where society has resorted to rearing humans for live stock because there are no other meat sources left. It’s a fast moving book with lots of gore and vivid imagery of cannaistic society that made my stomach turn. Really good, fast read.
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