Title: Tinder is the Flesh
Author: Agustina Bazterrica
Release Date: 08/04/2020
Publisher: Scribner
Pages: 209
Rate it: 5
Synopsis from Amazon:
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.
The book gave what it was supposed to give. You are not supposed to be okay with the events that are taking place. One thing that stood out to me is the fact that the black skins were in high demand. The book makes you feel things. That part I rolled my eyes to say the least. It is scary to think that one day the story could become our reality. For the world to be this far gone, that this is the value of life.
The thing I liked the most was the fact that this is not our reality. None of the characters were my favorite. I just do not think that this was one of those stories meant to bound you with the characters. If there was ever a lesson to be learned from this book, it is simply that you need to be humble. Life in this book was so delicate that one simple move could land you in the cage to be the next flesh.
Noticeable quotes:
“She had the human look of a domesticated animal.”
“She could have given us more children.”
“And its expression was so human that it filled me with horror.” – Leopoldp Lugones
Once again, the story gave what it was supposed to give. As my first dystopian in a while it was the perfect change to the thriller and romances, I have been on a roll of reading. I very much enjoyed this book, and I thanks Erica for recommending it all of 2020. Since I do not rereads, This is simply not a book that I would reread. However, this is a book that I would recommend to people who often enjoy dystopian themselves.
About the Author Agustina Bazterrica, born in Buenos Aires in 1974, has a degree in arts from the University of Buenos Aires and works as a cultural manager and jury member in various literary contests. She is the author of the short story collection Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird, and the novels Matar al niña and Tender Is the Flesh, the latter of which was awarded the Clarín Novel Prize. Tender Is the Flesh established Bazterrica as a bestselling author worldwide, with translations into thirty languages and half a million copies sold in English alone.
Tender Is the Flesh is currently being adapted for television. Her latest novel, The Unworthy, was published in Spanish in 2023 and received the same enthusiastic reception as Tender Is the Flesh, affirming Bazterrica’s status as a prominent author in contemporary literature.
Lastly, this is a book off my physical TBR and a mark off for last year. I read this book from 11/15-11/18. Have you read this book? Is this something you can see yourself recommending to others?
