Portero’s novel is lauded for its thematic depth, managing to balance bleak realism with a luminous, almost mythological perspective.
Bad Habit by Alana S Portero review – in search of acceptance
La mala costumbre by Alana S. Portero: A Trans Masterpiece of Survival and Self-Discovery
Portero writes about the body with extraordinary poetic violence. Gender dysphoria is not treated as a mere abstract feeling, but as a physical confinement—a cage of flesh that grows more restrictive with puberty.
If you are planning to read this book soon, let me know if you would like me to provide a , a summary of the historical context of 1980s Spain , or recommendations for similar queer European literature . Share public link La mala costumbre - Alana S. Portero.epub
Share a list of where you can officially purchase and download the EPUB.
Reviewers frequently highlight the theme of "queer sisterhood," noting how the protagonist finds refuge and guidance through older trans women and marginalized communities in downtown Madrid.
Portero brilliantly weaves classical myths throughout the text. The protagonist uses the gods, monsters, and transformations of ancient lore to make sense of her changing body and the violence of the world around her, elevating her personal struggle into an epic quest for survival. Why Readers Look for the EPUB Edition
(e.g., more on Caramel or Margarita) The historical context of 1980s Madrid Similar books in the queer literature genre Let me know what you'd like to dive into next! Share public link Portero’s novel is lauded for its thematic depth,
A: That is a sign of a pirated copy. Official EPUBs from Seix Barral use correct UTF-8 encoding for Spanish accents (á, é, í, ó, ú, ñ). Pirated versions often scramble these.
Yes, there is an official audiobook. It is narrated by the author herself, Alana S. Portero, and has a duration of approximately 5 hours and 48 minutes.
Portero writes the trans experience not as a transition from A to B, but as a rescue mission . The young protagonist (referred to in the early chapters with masculine pronouns that feel like a punch to the gut, mirroring the character’s own dysphoria) navigates a world where being a marica (a slur reclaimed with difficulty) is grounds for a beating. The book is unsparing in its depiction of street violence and the slow violence of family disappointment.
In your search for the ePub file, you will likely come across both legal and illegal sources. To ensure your reading experience is safe and to support the author, it is always recommended to download the book from official channels. Gender dysphoria is not treated as a mere
The novel has garnered significant recognition. It has been featured in prestigious lists such as El Periódico , El Español , Ara , and RTVE , and was even included by Forbes among its notable reads, cementing its status as an . However, the book has not been without its critics. Some, like Ernesto Bottini, have launched strong critiques against the novel, alleging that the author idealizes the working-class family.
La mala costumbre (translated as Bad Habit in English), the debut novel by Spanish author, historian, and activist , has emerged as a groundbreaking work in contemporary literature. It is a lyrical, brutal, and deeply empathetic coming-of-age story that captures the experience of a young trans woman growing up in working-class Madrid during the 1980s and 1990s.
The protagonist finds solace not in reality but in fantasy: B-movies, castillos góticos , and the novels of Anne Rice. The EPUB format allows you to hyperlink these references, creating a web of intertextuality.
If you are searching for the file, this guide covers how to access the book legitimately, why the EPUB format is ideal for this novel, and what makes this story an essential read. Direct Links to Official Retailers
