La Mala Costumbre - Alana S. Portero.epub [2026]

La mala costumbre (translated as ) is the debut novel by Spanish playwright and activist Alana S. Portero, published in May 2023. It is a lyrical coming-of-age story that follows an unnamed trans woman growing up in the working-class neighborhood of San Blas, Madrid, during the 1980s and 90s. Core Narrative & Context

: The story begins in the post-Franco era, a period of transition in Spain marked by a contrast between rigid patriarchal tradition and a blossoming underground scene. The narrator's childhood is shaped by a landscape of poverty, heroin addiction, and structural violence. Protagonist's Journey

: Trapped in a body and social role that feel alien, the narrator navigates her identity in a world that offers her no language to describe herself. She transitions from the isolation of her youth to finding a sense of belonging in Madrid's central party districts like Chueca. Found Family

: Central to the novel is the concept of "transfeminine lineage". The protagonist is guided by older trans women—street queens and outcasts who provide the care, wisdom, and protection her environment lacks. Key Themes

Bad Habit by Alana S Portero review – in search of acceptance

CONFIDENTIAL FILE ANALYSIS REPORT

SUBJECT: "La mala costumbre - Alana S. Portero.epub" AUTHOR: Alana S. Portero GENRE: Historical Fiction / LGBTQ+ Literature DATE OF REPORT: October 26, 2023 (Simulated)

4. Narrative Style

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.

2. The Terrain of Desire

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.

Summary for the Reader

If you are interested in reading La mala costumbre, you should expect a powerful, emotional, and sometimes difficult read. It is not a light story, but it is ultimately one of resilience and liberation. It is highly recommended for readers interested in:

Disclaimer: This report is provided for informational purposes regarding the content and literary merit of the book. La mala costumbre - Alana S. Portero.epub

La mala costumbre (translated as Bad Habit) by Alana S. Portero is a critically acclaimed coming-of-age debut that follows an unnamed trans woman growing up in a working-class Madrid neighborhood during the 1980s and 90s. Core Themes & Atmosphere

Intersectionality: The novel is praised for its nuanced exploration of the intersection between gender identity and social class. It depicts a "godforsaken" suburb where being queer makes one an outcast, set against the backdrop of Spain's post-Franco transition and the heroin epidemic.

Sisterhood & Chosen Family: 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.

Prose Style: Portero's writing is described as a blend of raw realism and poetic lyricism. She uses "mythic allusions"—assigning secondary characters mythical doubles like Bluebeard or Joan of Arc—to elevate the often bleak narrative. Reader & Critical Reception La mala costumbre by Alana S. Portero - Goodreads

Alana S. Portero's " La mala costumbre " is a powerful coming-of-age story that follows a trans woman finding her identity in working-class Madrid, navigating a hostile world while forging a path of resilience. The novel blends gritty realism with poetic reflection, tracing her journey from childhood in San Blas to embracing her true self and finding a sense of arrival. La mala costumbre (translated as ) is the

The Body as a Battlefield

The central "mala costumbre" (bad habit) of the title is a masterful misdirection. On the surface, it refers to the protagonist's use of self-harm and substance abuse as coping mechanisms. But as you read, you realize the real bad habit is the world’s insistence on lying about who she is.

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.

Yet, Portero refuses to reduce her protagonist to suffering. There is a sacred joy here, hidden in the cracks. The discovery of a hidden red heel. The ritual of applying makeup in a filthy bathroom mirror. The moment she looks at the vedettes and trans women in the park at night—not as cautionary tales, but as queens.

4. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF .EPUB FORMAT

As the subject is an .epub file, the following technical attributes are standard for this distribution type:

6. About the Author

Alana S. Portero is a writer, playwright, and actress. She holds a degree in History and a Master’s in Archeology. She is also a well-known trans feminist activist in Spain. Her background in history and theater informs her writing, giving it a strong sense of place and historical context regarding the LGBTQ+ movement in Madrid. Contemporary Spanish literature

4. The Body as Battlefield

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.