Episode 17 - Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica (with special guest Tariq Ashkanani)

In our most heated episode yet, that many are calling 'truly a podcast that has appeared online', best selling author Nicholas Binge (Extremity, Ascension, Professor Everywhere) and Hugo Powell (Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Flies, Lord of War) invite the best selling crime author Tariq Ashkanani to tell them about one of his favourite novels Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. Tender is the Flesh follows the story of Marcos, a disgruntled slaughter house manager as he grapples with the loss of his child, the break down of his marriage, and his fathers slow descent into dementia. Oh, did I mention the slaughter house is for humans as in this world animal meat has become toxic to humans so instead of going vegan every just starts eating humans? I didn't mention that? Oh well there you go. While the brutality of this novel may be a deterrent to many, Tariq and Nicholas breakdown the depth that can actually be found behind the incessant violence of this terrifying world. They talk about this novel being a reflection of mankind's ability to cause great harm to one another once a population is dehumanized, the mental gymnastics required to consume meat and not face the realities of the meat industry, and how 'internal world building' can such a vital tool in the arsenal of any author. Join us again on the 11 June for our mini episodes known as Speed Binges, where we will be watching the entirety of Don't Hug me I am Scared And you will find the next mainline show on the 25 June, where we will be reading I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman and joined by guest author Richard Swan. LINKS:STET Podcast NetworkOfficial Sitefollow us on Blueskyemail us: [email protected]