Most of us will eat meat without a second thought, but would this change if the meat was replaced with human flesh?
Following an outbreak of a fatal disease carried by all animals, including the meat of pigs, cows, and chickens, society must make the natural progression to feed the masses. This being raising humans for slaughter, ready to be cooked and eaten by their neighbours.
Feigning ignorance, others choose to ignore this development, simply accepting that it is what must happen now that animals are off the table.
Tender is the Flesh, the 2017 novel by Augustina Bazterrica, explores the morality and acceptance of the consumption of other living creatures, replacing traditional meat with the meat of humans. Within the novel, society is indifferent to the slaughtering of their fellow man, as long as it will keep them alive.
An interesting look into the meat industry, Bazterrica takes us behind the scenes of the pure brutality of slaughterhouses and the torture that animals must endure not just during the killing process, but throughout their entire lives. Being taught to fear men and submit or face their inevitable punishment, one that they will never be able to avoid.
Humanities flaws are exploited, displaying the industry of hunting as the human greed it is. Within the novel, people in debt can sign themselves up to be hunted and, if they survive however long they are sentenced to, they are free to leave with no remaining debt. However, if they are caught, they will be killed and eaten by the elite.
An interesting look into an industry already as well publicised in its grotesque nature as the slaughtering of animals, it takes replacing animals, that many see as just a meal, with humans for the immorality of the process to come to light.
A truly disturbing read, we see into humanity’s deepest desires and whether you would eat human flesh if it came down to it.