In a world where the GGB virus has made animal meat toxic, Marcos, a man working in a human processing plant, navigates the moral and emotional turmoil of his job while forming a tender bond with a female FGP, Jasmine, and confronting the consequences of his actions.
Overview
Set in a dystopian world where the GGB virus has rendered animal meat toxic, 'Tender is the Flesh' by Agustina Bazterrica explores the harrowing life of Marcos, a man forced to work in a human processing plant. The novel delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise from a society that has normalized cannibalism, a practice that has become a grim necessity for survival. Marcos, haunted by the loss of his child and the estrangement from his wife, Cecilia, navigates a world where the boundaries between human and animal, life and death, have blurred beyond recognition.
As Marcos grapples with the brutal realities of his job, he is confronted with the emotional and psychological toll of his actions. His life is further complicated by the arrival of a female FGP (First Generation Product), whom he must care for and ultimately decide her fate. The female, named Jasmine, becomes a source of both comfort and conflict, as Marcos forms a deep, tender bond with her, despite the moral ambiguity of their relationship. The novel weaves through Marcos’s interactions with various characters, each adding layers to the complex web of human relationships and societal norms in this dystopian setting.
The narrative is punctuated by Marcos’s reflections on his past, including his father’s decline in a nursing home and the strained relationship with his sister, Marisa. These personal struggles are juxtaposed with the broader societal issues, such as the rise of the Church of the Immolation, a group that opposes the new order and disrupts the processing plants. Marcos’s visits to the abandoned zoo, a symbol of decay and loss, and his encounters with clients like Urlet, who revel in the grotesque, highlight the pervasive sense of moral decay and the dehumanization that has become a part of daily life.
In the end, Marcos’s world is further upended by the impending birth of Jasmine’s child, a moment that forces him to confront the consequences of his actions and the possibility of redemption. The novel’s resolution is both poignant and unsettling, leaving readers to grapple with the profound moral and emotional turmoil that defines Marcos’s existence. 'Tender is the Flesh' is a powerful exploration of the human capacity for cruelty and compassion, the fragility of morality, and the enduring impact of loss and memory.
Main Characters
- Marcos - the protagonist, a man working in a human processing plant
- Jasmine - a female FGP (First Generation Product) who forms a bond with Marcos
Central Themes
- Moral and ethical dilemmas
- Grief and loss
- Dehumanization and cruelty
Mood & Atmosphere
Dark, haunting, and morally ambiguous, with a pervasive sense of decay and emotional turmoil
