March at RED: Secrets, Danger, and Betrayal with Tender is the Flesh

March at RED isn’t for the squeamish. This week, our book club’s heart beats faster as we plunge into the shadows where secrets fester, danger lurks, and betrayal runs deep enough to draw blood. In other words: the perfect backdrop for Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender is the Flesh, a novella that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go.

READ: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. Check it out on Amazon | Check it out on Goodreads

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when society’s darkest appetites run unchecked, this is your answer. Bazterrica’s dystopian world is built on lies, secrets, and—yes—cannibalism. It’s not a comfortable read. It’s not meant to be. This is a story that makes you squirm, then keeps echoing in your head. “I have always believed that in our capitalist, consumerist society, we devour each other,” Bazterrica once said. Reading this novel, it’s hard not to agree.

EAT: Citrus Pomegranate Panna Cotta. A dessert that looks as luscious and dangerous as a fresh wound. The blood-red pomegranate syrup pools atop creamy panna cotta, daring you to take another bite. Sweet, tart, and a little unsettling—just like this month’s theme. Find the recipe here.

DRINK: Cannibal Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail. A classic with a murderous twist. The Corpse Reviver #2 is already a cocktail for the bold; add a dash of irreverence and you’ve got a drink worthy of a book club that doesn’t shy away from the taboo. Find the recipe here.

Book Club Topic Ideas:

• What lines are crossed in Tender is the Flesh—and which ones feel too close to our own reality?

• How does the novel use cannibalism as a metaphor for consumer culture?

• Were there moments when you sympathized with characters you found morally repulsive? Why?

• What role do secrets and lies play in the maintenance of this dystopian world?

• Did you ever catch yourself rationalizing the actions of the characters? What does that say about our own capacity for self-delusion?

• If you were living in Bazterrica’s world, what compromises would you make to survive?

• How does the author use food—both literal and figurative—to build tension and horror?

• What would you want a sequel to focus on? Is redemption possible in this world?

Here’s to a night of dangerous delights, uncomfortable questions, and the kind of conversation you won’t forget. Just remember: read with care—and don’t look away.

This week our book club dives headfirst into Agustina Bazterrica’s, Tender is the Flesh.Ready for a dystopian world built on lies, cannibalism, and the kind of questions that’ll haunt you long after you put the book down? Join us—if you dare.

Happy Reading, Eating and Drinking!