The book opens with a sentence that stops the reader cold: "Vi caer como ángeles terminales a una generación entera de muchachos. Adolescentes con la piel gris a los que les faltaban los dientes, que olían a amoniaco y a orina." This powerful, raw image of youth lost to heroin in the working-class outskirts of 1980s Madrid is the unforgettable beginning of La mala costumbre , the debut novel by Spanish writer Alana S. Portero. Published in 2023, the book has become a true literary and social phenomenon, shattering expectations and solidifying Portero as a unique and vital voice in contemporary Spanish literature. For those seeking to immerse themselves in this deeply moving story, the EPUB format offers a convenient way to experience what many critics and readers have called a necessary and transformative work.
The "bad habit" of the title refers to the self-destructive coping mechanisms imposed by a transphobic environment: self-harm, isolation, self-medication, and the desperate search for refuge in literature, gothic aesthetics, and nocturnal friendships. Yet, far from being a misery memoir, Portero writes with a scalpel. There is beauty, there is sisterhood, and there is a ferocious resistance.
The title refers to the, at times, deadly, or "bad," habits necessary to navigate a hostile world—ranging from drug use to toxic relationships—but it also ironically highlights the endurance required to survive.
Portero writes with a style that has been described as "ferocious" and lyrical. She mixes colloquial Madrid slang with high literary prose. The voice is raw, emotional, and unapologetically honest. It reads like a confession or a memoir, blurring the lines between fiction and autobiography.
Its exploration of queer grief and the "poetic denial of self" resonates deeply with readers who lived through, or have studied, the complexities of the late-century Spanish cuir (queer) culture. 5. Finding and Reading "La mala costumbre" La mala costumbre - Alana S. Portero.epub
The high search volume for highlights a growing global audience looking to engage with this book digitally.
"La Mala Costumbre" de Alana S. Portero es una obra maestra de la literatura contemporánea que no solo entretiene sino que también educa y sensibiliza. A través de su relato crudo y emocional, Portero nos recuerda la importancia de la empatía, la resiliencia y el autoconocimiento. Esta novela es una lectura esencial para aquellos interesados en la psicología humana, el crecimiento personal y la literatura que marca la diferencia.
Set in the 1980s and 90s , primarily in San Blas , a working-class neighborhood of Madrid ravaged by the heroin epidemic.
The transition of the protagonist mirrors the transition of Spain itself as it moved away from dictatorship into a fragile, modern democracy. The book opens with a sentence that stops
The novel controversially and unapologetically argues that resentment and rage are not just valid but completely necessary tools for survival in an oppressive system. Rather than advocating for forgiveness or assimilation, Portero validates the raw anger that comes from being systematically denied the right to exist.
The novel’s true heart, however, lies in its characters. Portero dedicates entire chapters to the "beautiful defeated" women who become the protagonist’s secret role models and protectors. These include , an older woman and former black marketeer who lives as a caricature of a witch, feared and ridiculed by the neighborhood. And, most importantly, Eugenia, la Moraíta , a transgender sex worker who embodies a fierce, maternal protection and unconditional love, helping the protagonist emerge from her "cocoon". As the protagonist states, "Being a man, being a woman, being neither is something that cannot be experienced or built alone". These women provide the essential mirror for her to begin recognizing herself.
"La mala costumbre" by Alana S. Portero is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that invites readers to reflect on their own habits and choices. Through its relatable protagonist and accessible writing style, the book offers a unique blend of humor, introspection, and self-help. As a result, it is recommended for readers interested in personal growth, self-awareness, and exploring the human experience.
The book is also a beautiful tribute to the networks of care and support forged among marginalized women. The protagonist finds her own references and genealogy in other women: La Peluca, Margarita, or a trans sex worker named Eugenia, known as La Moraíta, who becomes a kind of second mother to her. Through these relationships, the novel powerfully depicts sorority, friendship, and mutual support as essential lifelines. Published in 2023, the book has become a
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