Tender Is the Flesh
Ratings425
Average rating3.7
Pretty tricky to read book, not just because of the sometimes pretty graphic descriptions, but also for the short, staccato nature of the writing. I think it did serve a purpose though - it does help put you in the mind of the main character, someone who is broken and desensitised. But this was kind of shattered towards the end of the book, because all his actions suggest someone who is changing, then the final chapter completely undoes that, making it feel entirely out of character. Like I get plot twist or whatever, but this just felt unsatisfying.
Also, I thought the set-up was a bit unrealistic - like everyone just went along with breeding humans for food? And its alluded to that the whole 'animal meat virus' thing was actually a hoax, but this seems like something that would be hard to cover up. The parallels to the real-world meat industry I also thought were a bit ham fisted, like I know the industry's not great, but its certainly not normalised to, for example, keep a cow in your house and slowly vivisect it for pieces of meat.
Still, I thought the narrative and writing were great, especially with the portrayal of the main character (until right at the end)
Pretty tricky to read book, not just because of the sometimes pretty graphic descriptions, but also for the short, staccato nature of the writing. I think it did serve a purpose though - it does help put you in the mind of the main character, someone who is broken and desensitised. But this was kind of shattered towards the end of the book, because all his actions suggest someone who is changing, then the final chapter completely undoes that, making it feel entirely out of character. Like I get plot twist or whatever, but this just felt unsatisfying.
Also, I thought the set-up was a bit unrealistic - like everyone just went along with breeding humans for food? And its alluded to that the whole 'animal meat virus' thing was actually a hoax, but this seems like something that would be hard to cover up. The parallels to the real-world meat industry I also thought were a bit ham fisted, like I know the industry's not great, but its certainly not normalised to, for example, keep a cow in your house and slowly vivisect it for pieces of meat.
Still, I thought the narrative and writing were great, especially with the portrayal of the main character (until right at the end)
Added to list2025 Reading Challengewith 41 books.
Did you HAVE to get her pregnant dude come on
Did you HAVE to get her pregnant dude come on
This book was good. I am still sitting with that ending. It was sort of what I was expecting, but also much better than what I thought would happen.
It is a slow start to the book as it spends a lot of time building and explaining what the world has become. There is also a part with some puppies later in the book that I found hard to read. I can see why the author has included it but damn why do that to puppies. The horror of this book comes from what the world has transitioned to and what the people have allowed.
Though out the book it was interesting to read the changes to this society and the process of identifying humans as animals.
The second part of the book did feel a little rushed which is sad as the second half raised some of the more interesting topics/issues of this world. It’s brought up that the main character helped develop some of the regulations for this system and it left me wanting more time with this line of thinking. I did sometimes wish the author explored more of the impact of this new system on the people.
This book is thought-provoking but doesn’t focus on right and wrong. There are no real discussions about any of the issues in the book instead we are exposed to increasing horrors. The thoughts and views are left to us to work out and live with.
I did still enjoy this book as it was brutal and unrelenting.
This book was good. I am still sitting with that ending. It was sort of what I was expecting, but also much better than what I thought would happen.
It is a slow start to the book as it spends a lot of time building and explaining what the world has become. There is also a part with some puppies later in the book that I found hard to read. I can see why the author has included it but damn why do that to puppies. The horror of this book comes from what the world has transitioned to and what the people have allowed.
Though out the book it was interesting to read the changes to this society and the process of identifying humans as animals.
The second part of the book did feel a little rushed which is sad as the second half raised some of the more interesting topics/issues of this world. It’s brought up that the main character helped develop some of the regulations for this system and it left me wanting more time with this line of thinking. I did sometimes wish the author explored more of the impact of this new system on the people.
This book is thought-provoking but doesn’t focus on right and wrong. There are no real discussions about any of the issues in the book instead we are exposed to increasing horrors. The thoughts and views are left to us to work out and live with.
I did still enjoy this book as it was brutal and unrelenting.
