Tender is the Flesh, by Augustina Bazterrica is a chilling, propulsive novel following the perspective of Marcos as he battles the moral constraints of a society where humans are bred and eaten like animals.

After a virus (one that Marcos suspects the government orchestrated) infects all animals and makes them inedible, humans slowly transition to another source of meat. As you read, you get a deeply graphic perspective, and experience the discomfort that comes with a compelling ethical debate. And of course, the inevitable question, are you the predator or prey of society?

Stuck in his occupation, suffering the grief of losing a child, and the burden of his father, the last thing Marcos needs is “product.” However, after inheriting a human woman, Marcos starts to see the flaws in society, and in himself.

As he switches from ruthless, aloof antagonist, to pitied protagonist you are constantly kept speculating.

This chilling, disgusting novel will have you on the edge of your seat, with a shocking ending you’ll never see coming.

In this beautifully written and translated novel, be prepared for the existentialism that comes with pondering the motives of society and where we truly could be headed. With calamity, both of fiction and reality, how can we aim to keep the humane in human?

As I read this book I found to be particularly controversial, depicting a world not so unimaginable. A question of personal morals fighting our animalistic tendency to survive at all costs — a deeply thrilling dystopia that will leave your skin crawling to the very last word.

On a scale of one to ten I would rate the book a 7.5 for its grotesquely thought-provoking plot line, as well as it’s excellent translation from Spanish to English. A perfect conclusion for the month of October, and a must read for any season.