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Tender Is the Flesh

Agustina Bazterrica
Translated by Sarah Moses
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Tender Is the Flesh

Agustina Bazterrica
Translated by Sarah Moses
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Overall rating: 4.334356 / 5 from 326 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Tender Is the Flesh is praised for its powerful and important narrative that raises profound questions about our relationship with food. Customers found the book to be an amazing and riveting read, though opinions on the ending and writing style varied. The novel explores the mindless and inconsiderate nature of humans in a dystopian setting.

Summary topics

  • Book Quality (41%): In general, customers found this book to be an amazing, excellent, and excellent book, although some descriptions made them cringe inside.
  • Reading Experience (33%): A substantial number of customers appreciated the book, describing it as a great, interesting, and riveting read.
  • Novel Impact (9%): Customers raved about the book, describing it as a powerful and important novel that raises profound questions about our relationship with food.
  • Book Ending (6%): Customers have mixed opinions about the ending, with some finding it shocking, while others find it heartbreaking and shocking.
  • Human Nature (5%): Opinions vary on the dystopian film, Tender Is The Flesh, as it explores the mindless and inconsiderate nature of humans.

Review topics: [lines, book, read, novel, ending, story, concept, writing, written, horror, title, twist, plot, humans, look, enjoyed, perspective, translation, gore, pieces, premise, pun, subject, descriptions, details, paced, world, view, age, pages].

Review highlights

  • "As morbid as it sounds, this gory and uneasy book is a great read for people that love a bit of horror." — Taylor R.
  • "Interesting and fascinating look at a disturbing dystopian version of our world" — Katherine F.
  • "Certainly not the book for just anyone, given the broad context of the novel." — Christine

Reviews

Read on an Empty Stomach

"Horrifying, nausea-inducing at times, and thoroughly made my skin crawl. I finished it weeks ago and I’m still pondering different interpretations of what I think the author is trying to convey about society and humanity. I cannot stop talking about this book to anybody that will listen, and I cannot stop thinking about it. I haven’t read many horror books that I’ve enjoyed, but this one was stellar."

— Sweet P. (5/5)

An Interesting Perspective

"This book reminded me of 1984 a lot with the writing and theme, I thought that the meandering story progression and rapid ending were very reminiscent of it. The prose was written in a similar style of matter-of-fact, long paragraphs with very little dialogue; the subject being an unnerving dystopian future is also an obvious connection. It obviously contains a subject matter that not everyone can stomach, but the way it was presented was more informative compared to it being flashy and shocking. I liked the concept and the explanation of the history for how they got to that reality was logical and felt quite realistic. Overall not a bad book. It wasn't as horrifying as I thought it was going to be. It was a very quick read with an ending I didn't see coming."

— Brooke C. (3/5)

Read on an Empty Stomach

"Horrifying, nausea-inducing at times, and thoroughly made my skin crawl. I finished it weeks ago and I’m still pondering different interpretations of what I think the author is trying to convey about society and humanity. I cannot stop talking about this book to anybody that will listen, and I cannot stop thinking about it. I haven’t read many horror books that I’ve enjoyed, but this one was stellar."

— Sweet P. (5/5)

An Interesting Perspective

"This book reminded me of 1984 a lot with the writing and theme, I thought that the meandering story progression and rapid ending were very reminiscent of it. The prose was written in a similar style of matter-of-fact, long paragraphs with very little dialogue; the subject being an unnerving dystopian future is also an obvious connection. It obviously contains a subject matter that not everyone can stomach, but the way it was presented was more informative compared to it being flashy and shocking. I liked the concept and the explanation of the history for how they got to that reality was logical and felt quite realistic. Overall not a bad book. It wasn't as horrifying as I thought it was going to be. It was a very quick read with an ending I didn't see coming."

— Brooke C. (3/5)

Helped me out of my reading slum!

"Where should I start? Overall, I did """"enjoy"""" this novel! As a Dyslexic/ADHD individual, it was easy to follow! I didn't have a hard time with the imagery, and there was only two parts where I did have to re-read, and make sure I completely understood what was going on. [spoilers alert] This was a lovely introduction to the “gore” genre, and yes, TikTok influenced me. I always wanted to get into horror, but didn’t know where to start, and didn’t want to begin with Stephen King novels. I wouldn’t call this horror—more a dystopian novel with extreme gore and topics. When big corporations influence government, the meat industry seeks more profits. I questioned how this influence was established. There are better ways to consume protein than meat, but those who suggested this were silenced and killed. """"Never mess with how people make a living; it awakens the instinct to survive!"""" A “virus” infects animals, making them inedible and dangerous to humans. Propaganda uses this to scare the public, making control easier. This has happened throughout history. When Marcos calls his sister a blind follower, I agree. She tries to make her household enviable, hiding reality. My favorite moment: she wants Marcos to use an umbrella to avoid birds, but he asks why she ignores mosquitoes, since they also feed from infected animals. She replies, “The Government says there’s no risk with mosquitoes. ” That’s when I lost respect for her. While some interpret this novel as a critique of the current meat industry and animal mistreatment, I believe its main argument centers on how humans gradually desensitize themselves, allowing what was once seen as morally wrong to become normalized in society. I enjoyed reading this! It only took me about three days, and kept me thinking. I predicted the ending, but only later. The “paying off one's debt” option was original, showing that no one is safe from this new normal. If you choose to read this novel, keep an open mind, as its core argument is that no one—regardless of age, race, or status—is safe from society's willingness to normalize the unthinkable. I also warn that it contains scenes involving harm to babies and children, so for those uncomfortable with such content, I would not recommend this book."

— Christelle (4/5)

Not for a weak stomach

"What a wickedly disturbing thought experiment! Certainly not the book for just anyone, given the broad context of the novel. I was surprised by the detail the author could muster. As much as my skin crawled the entirety of the book, I am sure to keep it in my library (and read again at a later time)."

— Christine (5/5)

i devoured this one

"this book belongs in the horror/dystopian genre, and the former is not my cup of tea. however, i devoured this book in a week. it helped that it's a short book! it delves into a lot of real-life dilemmas such as the mass production of meat for consumption and the overwhelming power that governments hold on the minds of their citizens. . it was very graphic at times so i don't recommend this book to anyone with a weak stomach. it made me queasy, but i was too curious about the ending to stop. i also enjoyed the critique on the scarcity of critical thinking nowadays. society is prone to believe what our governments and ""experts"" tell us, often without question. which is reasonable, because the expectation is that they would want the best for their people, instead of being driven by money and greed. . there is a conspiracy in the book that i thought was interesting but wasn't explored enough, it being that the animal virus was actually a hoax created by the governments so they could address overpopulation by legalizing cannibalism. it becomes more believable when the author takes the reader through the systemic process of how they convinced the world it was true. however, more sinister motives are revealed as marcos meets with characters in the business of cannibalism: the butchers, the suppliers, the doctors working in labs that experiment on human specimens, the hunting enthusiasts that have developed a disturbing taste, and perhaps most chilling of all, a group that's built a cult around the legalization of human consumption. it's an exaggerated, funhouse mirror reflection of what the future could hold. deeply unsettling and obscene, and one of my favourite books i've read so far this year. tw: graphic depictions of cannibalism, blood, violence"

— Libraryofamisfit I. (5/5)

Gore and Unease, Beware

"As morbid as it sounds, this gory and uneasy book is a great read for people that love a bit of horror. It explores a dystopian type world where humans eat humans. The author does a great job at establishing the necessary details throughout novel. Creepy and gross, but good!"

— Taylor R. (4/5)

How do you take your human? Medium rare?

"Excellent look into a world where controlled cannibalism is normalized. Both interesting and disturbing with an amazing twist to cap it off."

— Daniel M. (4/5)

Helped me out of my reading slum!

"Where should I start? Overall, I did ""enjoy"" this novel! As a Dyslexic/ADHD individual, it was easy to follow! I didn't have a hard time with the imagery, and there was only two parts where I did have to re-read, and make sure I completely understood what was going on. [spoilers alert] This was a lovely introduction to the “gore” genre, and yes, TikTok influenced me. I always wanted to get into horror, but didn’t know where to start, and didn’t want to begin with Stephen King novels. I wouldn’t call this horror—more a dystopian novel with extreme gore and topics. When big corporations influence government, the meat industry seeks more profits. I questioned how this influence was established. There are better ways to consume protein than meat, but those who suggested this were silenced and killed. ""Never mess with how people make a living; it awakens the instinct to survive!"" A “virus” infects animals, making them inedible and dangerous to humans. Propaganda uses this to scare the public, making control easier. This has happened throughout history. When Marcos calls his sister a blind follower, I agree. She tries to make her household enviable, hiding reality. My favorite moment: she wants Marcos to use an umbrella to avoid birds, but he asks why she ignores mosquitoes, since they also feed from infected animals. She replies, “The Government says there’s no risk with mosquitoes. ” That’s when I lost respect for her. While some interpret this novel as a critique of the current meat industry and animal mistreatment, I believe its main argument centers on how humans gradually desensitize themselves, allowing what was once seen as morally wrong to become normalized in society. I enjoyed reading this! It only took me about three days, and kept me thinking. I predicted the ending, but only later. The “paying off one's debt” option was original, showing that no one is safe from this new normal. If you choose to read this novel, keep an open mind, as its core argument is that no one—regardless of age, race, or status—is safe from society's willingness to normalize the unthinkable. I also warn that it contains scenes involving harm to babies and children, so for those uncomfortable with such content, I would not recommend this book."

— Christelle (4/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Aug 04, 2020
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 224
  • Publisher: Scribner
  • ISBN: 9781982150921
  • Dimensions: 5.5" W x 0.6" L x 8.375" H
PRAISE FOR TENDER IS THE FLESH BY AGUSTINA BAZTERRICA
WINNER OF ARGENTINA’S CLARÍN NOVELA PRIZE 2017

A USA Today Bestseller

“From the first words of the Argentine novelist Agustina Bazterrica’s second novel, Tender Is the Flesh, the reader is already the livestock in the line, reeling, primordially aware that this book is a butcher’s block, and nothing that happens next is going to be pretty.”
—New York Times Book Review

"The novel is horrific, yes, but fascinatingly provocative (and Orwellian) in the way it exposes the lengths society will go to deform language and avoid moral truths."
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue

“Taut and thought-provoking...a chilling and alarmingly prophetic book...this is an urgent cautionary tale...timely, crucial.”
—Words Without Borders

“It is a testament to Bazterrica’s skill that such a bleak book can also be a page-turner. An unrelentingly dark and disquieting look at the way societies conform to committing atrocities.”
—Kirkus

"Propulsive and deranged, Tender Is the Flesh is a weird and quick read that strays far enough from our current reality to be utterly engrossing... and a book that will stick with you for a long time."
—Thrillist

“This translated prizewinner by Argentinian novelist Bazterrica exquisitely dishes up an intricate tale of a systematized dystopian society… a sagacious and calculated exploration of the limits of moral ambiguity; it sears and devastates.”
—Booklist, starred review

"Bazterrica’s writing is ferocious; she has vision and intent. When you least expect it, her narrative hits her target, and leaves you trembling.”
—Samanta Schweblin, author of Fever Dream and Seven Empty Houses

"This book will pull you in, take hold, and not let go until you reach the final page—perhaps far longer than that. Without a doubt, my favorite read of this year.”
—Christina Dalcher, author of Vox

"What a compelling, terrible beauty this novel is. My heart was breaking even as my skin was crawling.”­­
—Lisa McInerney, author of The Glorious Heresies

“Provocative, muscular, and entirely unforgiving, this terrifying novel is a timely reminder that words have the power to strip us of our humanity. I gulped it down with my heart racing.”
—Sue Rainsford, author of Follow Me to Ground  
Agustina Bazterrica was born in Buenos Aires in 1974. She has a degree in art from the University of Buenos Aires, works as a cultural administrator, and has served on the jury for literary competitions such as the Premio Fondo Nacional de las Artes. She writes essays and fiction and has published one short story collection and three novels, including Tender Is the Flesh, which won the Clarín Novel Prize, was a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards, and was named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post and Vogue. Tender Is the Flesh also became a worldwide bestseller, with more than 600,000 copies sold in the United States alone. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide.

Sarah Moses is a Canadian writer and translator of French and Spanish. She has translated work by Latin American authors, including Tomás Downey and Ariana Harwicz, whose novel Die, My Love was longlisted for the International Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize, the Premio Valle Inclán, and the Best Translated Book Award. The Unworthy is the third of Agustina Bazterrica’s books she has translated into English. She is also the author of a collection of short fiction, Strange Water.

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