Bad Habit by Alana S Portero review – in search of acceptance
If you are looking for a story about overcoming adversity with a neat bow on top, look elsewhere. Portero is interested in something more complicated—the habit of self-destruction, the beauty found in the margins, and the radical act of surviving when the world wants you to disappear. La mala costumbre - Alana S. Portero.epub
The author does not romanticize medical transition. She exposes the visceral horror of hormonal self-administration, the marks of needles, and the slow, painful process of recognizing oneself in the mirror. Bad Habit by Alana S Portero review –
The most tender scenes involve the "Saints": a group of trans sex workers and outcasts who, through terrible humor and solidarity, teach the protagonist how to survive. They are the guardians of a dark, sacred knowledge. La mala costumbre (translated as The Bad Habit
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.