Tender Is the Flesh

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

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.

Agustina Bazterrica’s stunning dystopian novel reads like a fever dream—unsettling, visceral, and impossible to put down. This International Bestseller has captivated readers worldwide with its unflinching exploration of humanity, morality, and what we’re willing to accept when survival is at stake. Sharp as a blade and eerily prescient, Tender Is the Flesh lingers long after you turn the final page.

Perfect for readers who love literary fiction with bite, this is a book that demands to be discussed. Pour yourself something strong, settle into your favorite reading spot, and prepare for a story that will challenge everything you thought you knew about compassion and complicity.

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