Summary
Tender Is the Flesh, a dystopian novel by Argentinian author Agustina Bazterrica, presents a chilling vision of a world where cannibalism has become commonplace. Set in a future where animal meat has become poisonous to humans due to a virus, the novel explores the ethical and psychological ramifications of a society that has normalized, legalized, and commodified the consumption of human flesh. Through the eyes of the surreal narrative’s protagonist, a worker in a human meat processing plant, Bazterrica crafts a powerful critique of capitalism, exploitation, and the dehumanization inherent in industrial food production.
Originally published in Spanish in 2017 and translated into English in 2020, Tender Is the Flesh won Argentina's prestigious Premio Clarin de Novela and received international acclaim for its use of dark humor and unflinching portrayal of societal horrors.
Plot
In the world of Tender Is the Flesh, a virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans, leading governments to legalize cannibalism. Marcos, an employee at a human slaughterhouse, grapples with the ethical implications of his work while dealing with personal struggles. His wife has left him, and his father is battling dementia. Marcos tries to distance himself emotionally from his job by focusing on numbers and processing.
One day, Marcos receives an unusual gift—a live female specimen of the highest quality, referred to as a “head.” Despite the severe consequences of personal contact with these specimens, Marcos gradually begins to treat her like a human being. As he develops a connection with her, he starts to question the morality of the new world order and reflects on what has been lost in society.
As the story progresses, Marcos names the female specimen Jasmine and engages in a forbidden sexual relationship with her. Meanwhile, his personal life continues to unravel. His father's condition worsens, and tensions rise with his sister Marisa, who seems to have fully embraced the new societal norms. Marcos struggles to reconcile his growing attachment to Jasmine with the brutal reality of his profession.
The novel reaches its climax when Jasmine, now eight months pregnant, goes into labor. Marcos calls his estranged wife Cecilia, a nurse, to help with the delivery. After Jasmine gives birth to a boy, Marcos declares the child as his and Cecilia's. In a shocking turn of events, he proceeds to knock Jasmine unconscious and prepares to slaughter her, despite Cecilia's protests. The story concludes with Marcos's chilling observation that Jasmine had “the human look of a domesticated animal,” highlighting the deep-seated dehumanization that has taken root in this cannibalistic society.
Themes
Dehumanization and commodification of human life
Moral dilemmas in dystopian societies
Impact of societal changes on personal relationships
Loss and grief in a world devoid of humanity
Ethical implications of industrialized food production and meat consumption
Struggle between personal conscience and societal norms
Exploration of what defines humanity in extreme circumstances
Setting
Tender Is the Flesh is set in a dystopian near-future where a virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. The story takes place in an unnamed country, likely Argentina, given the author's nationality. The exact time period is not specified, but it appears to be only a few years after the initial outbreak and subsequent “Transition” to legalized cannibalism.
The primary setting is a rural area with processing plants, slaughterhouses, and breeding centers for human meat production. Much of the action occurs at Marcos's workplace and home. Other key locations include his father's nursing home and his sister's house, providing glimpses into how different socioeconomic classes have adapted to the new reality.
While specific city names are not mentioned, the novel paints a vivid picture of a society fundamentally altered by the loss of animal protein. Abandoned zoos, empty farms, and repurposed industrial facilities dot the landscape, serving as stark reminders of the world that was lost. The setting effectively reinforces the book's themes of dehumanization and moral decay in a world where cannibalism has become normalized.
Characters
Marcos: The protagonist who works at a human meat processing plant. Marcos struggles with the ethical implications of his job and the state of society. He develops a forbidden relationship with a female “specimen” given to him as a gift. Marcos is conflicted between his duties at work and his growing empathy for the humans bred for consumption.
Jasmine: A female “First Generation Pure” human bred for consumption and given to Marcos as a gift. Marcos names her Jasmine and begins to treat her more like a human than livestock. She becomes pregnant with Marcos' child, complicating his feelings further.
Cecilia: Marcos's estranged wife. She and Marcos separated after the death of their infant son. Cecilia is a nurse who helps deliver Jasmine's baby in the end.
Don Armando: Marcos's father who suffers from dementia. He lives in a nursing home and requires Marcos's care and financial support.
Marisa: Marcos's sister who is obsessed with social status. She hosts an extravagant wake for their father and owns a “domestic head” (human servant), showcasing her callous acceptance of the new societal norms.
The Butcher: A woman with whom Marcos has an affair. She represents the normalization of the human meat industry in society.
Quick facts
Tender Is the Flesh was originally published in Spanish in 2017 under the title Cadáver Exquisito.
The novel won Argentina's prestigious Premio Clarin de Novela.
The English translation by Sarah Moses was published in 2020.
The book falls into multiple genres including dystopian fiction, horror, and splatterpunk.
Author Agustina Bazterrica was born in Buenos Aires and lives in Argentina.
The story is set in a world where a virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans.
In the novel, cannibalism becomes legalized and industrialized.
In Tender Is the Flesh, humans bred for consumption are referred to as “heads” or “special meat.”
The main character Marcos works at a human slaughterhouse.
Scholars have analyzed the book as an allegory for exploitative capitalism as well as a commentary on industrialized food production, meat consumption, and anxiety surrounding zoonotic diseases.
About the Author
Agustina Bazterrica (1974-) is an accomplished Argentine author. She is best known for her novel Cadaver Exquisito, which won the prestigious Premio Clarin de Novela in 2017. Set in a dystopian near-future where cannibalism is legal, this acclaimed work of horror, dark humor, and social commentary has been translated into more than 20 languages, including English under the title Tender Is the Flesh.
Bazterrica holds a degree in fine arts from the University of Buenos Aires. Her debut novel, Matar a la Niña, was published in 2013. This was followed by a collection of short stories, Antes del Encuentro Feroz, in 2016. In 2020, following international recognition for Tender Is the Night, she published another collection of stories, Diecinueve Garras y un Pájaro Oscuro, translated into English as Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird. Her most recent novel, The Unworthy (Las Indignas) was released in 2023.
Over her literary career, Bazterrica has won multiple literary prizes. A native of Buenos Aires, she remains a key figure in the city’s literary scene and arts community. She has served as a jury member for prestigious contests, including the National Fund for the Arts Award in 2021. From 2015 to 2020, she co-managed the Follow the White Rabbit Art Cycle.
