As she grows up, the narrator finds escape in the nightlife of a clandestine Madrid in the 90s. Amidst junkies, fallen angels, and pop divas, she goes on a "bastard version of the hero's journey," searching for her true self. It is through the sisterhood and support of other women that she begins to find the strength to overcome the systemic violence and rejection she faces daily. The book is a story of trauma, pain, queer survival, and ultimately, resilience.
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"No estamos locas. Estamos solas." (We are not crazy. We are alone.) La mala costumbre - Alana S. Portero.epub
Set primarily in San Blas, a working-class neighborhood of Madrid, the story spans from the early 1980s through the 1990s. This era was marked by the aftermath of the Franco dictatorship and the devastating heroin epidemic that swept through Spain's urban peripheries.
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The novel was a critical and commercial success in Spain.
La mala costumbre (translated as The Bad Habit ) is a highly acclaimed novel by Spanish writer, historian, and activist Alana S. Portero. Published in 2023 (by the publishing house Seix Barral), the novel has established itself as one of the most important contemporary works of LGBTQ+ literature in Spain. It is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story that explores the construction of identity through the lens of a trans girl growing up in a hostile environment.
Upon its release, La mala costumbre became a literary sensation in Spain and quickly sparked a competitive international bidding war, leading to translations in numerous languages. Critics have praised Portero for avoiding trauma-porn tropes, choosing instead to balance the undeniable pain of the protagonist's youth with moments of fierce joy, solidarity, and beauty.