This is a translated book, from Spanish, being my 1st language I intend to get a Spanish copy to read as well. Sometimes little nuances get lost in translation & I’d like to see if I get a different feel from the story. It’s been about a week since I finished the book, I’ve been thinking about it since.
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
- Category – Dark Dystopian Thriller
- Length – 209 Pages
- Read Time – 3 Days
- GR Rating – 5 Stars
I mentioned above it had been about a week since finishing the book to beginning this review. That was as far as I got in the review (smh at myself), it’s now been another week & days (smh at myself), anyway we move on. I’ve begun & finished a few books since this one but I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Let’s get to this review… finally..
Tender is the Flesh is a horrifying story, set in a dystopian society where some human beings have been classified as cattle for consumption. We see this world through the eyes of Marco, a young man who works at the top “special meat” processing plant. Coming along in Marco’s thoughts as he goes through his days visiting the various farms, slaughter houses & research facilities his job takes him to we get a grisly view of institutionalized & industrialized cannibalism.
In this dystopian society a virus has infected all animals making their flesh poisonous to humans, allegedly, it isn’t made clear if that is actually truth or a cover-up story for some additional insidious act perpetuated by the ruling class. Marco remembers the before, the time when animals were pets & cattle & helpers, before people were ordered to put down any animals they owned, before other people became classified cattle by the law. The knowledge that this person, in their early-mid adult years has seen the “transition” from animals existing along side humans in various ways to their general intentional extinction & then this gruesome society where some humans have been legislated into replacements for the animals the food, leather & hunting industries lost makes it that much more macabre.
This book is not for the faint, it’s a tough read. For me it’s very easy to read a small description & fill in the full picture in my mind, this book is a horrendous picture start to finish.
Marco is married, although he & his wife have been estranged since the death of their son, he remains in their home awaiting her return while she’s being cared for by her mother. A breeding facility hoping to gain favor with his company gifts Marco a “FGP female”, a first generation pure female. First generation pure is how they’ve classified the people bred, born & raised as cattle. Predictably, Marco begins using her for sexual gratification, naming her Jasmin & giving her access to very basic human comforts during that time, although all of it illegal as she’s already been classified as cattle. Predictably again, she becomes pregnant. When the time comes for the babies arrival, Marco calls his wife asking for her help, she arrives at their home helping deliver the baby & immediately accepts her newfound mother role. Although he’s grappling with the implications of what he’s been doing & ultimately what he & his wife have now done as a consequence of, Marco decides to slaughter Jasmin in hopes of covering up his illegal activities.
Although this book is a short read it is still thought provoking & sickeningly descriptive. I do not recommend this book lightly, it will sink your heart to the pit of your stomach again & again. I ended up rating this book 5 stars despite it being an absolutely revolting read because it was completely gripping.
Thank you for joining me for another review, I’d love to read your thoughts on my review & of course on the book too.
- Have you read this book?
- How many stars do you rate this book?
Hasta la próxima – V
Chatting with V 
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