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Less of a review, more of just some general thoughts. Sometimes pop sci annoys me, but I didn't mind this one. Some parts related to the author adding in some of his life experiences (not really TB-related) weren't my favorite, but now I'm guilty based on explaining my interest in this book. My original interest stemmed from my grandpa being a survivor of TB and learning about how it shaped so many things in his life, including how he spent 3 years at a TB sanatorium in the Chilean Andes Mountains in the late 50s/early 60s. The book covered this time period and sanatorium experiences but also prior and leading up to current day. I appreciate the heavy emphasis on the systemic issues related to TB care and cures. There is such a stigma around TB and so much racism impacting access to care. The book also dives into the fucked up profit-based pharmaceutical companies. I love that the book includes a section on other books and resources to read related to various TB topics and data sources.

Wow, I loved this book so much. So many things about it. Her descriptions, imagination, the emotions of her characters. The way and order of how this story builds was really exciting, too. I loved the gore, violence, and all the things that will probably make a lot of people uncomfortable, and possibly dislike or not want to read this book. Might not be your thing. (I’m not going to post any CW stuff but there is probably a long list or feel free to ask.)

@realityasylumreads even though I’m vegan I didn’t think about this from that perspective. I mean like briefly but not as the focus. Maybe that’s weird. I left a comment (not review) on this book where I found this quote: “Tender Is the Flesh is a meditation on what capitalism is – it teaches us to naturalise cruelty….Capitalism and cannibalism are almost the same, you know?” —from the author.