Bad Habit
A poignant exploration of self-discovery and community
Alana S Portero author Mara Faye Lethem translator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:23rd May '24
£16.99
Available for immediate dispatch.
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£9.99(9780008663339)
This moving debut novel, Bad Habit, explores the journey of a young trans woman in 1980s Madrid, highlighting themes of identity and resilience.
In Bad Habit, Alana S Portero presents a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story that captures the essence of identity and belonging. Set in 1980s Madrid, the narrative follows a young trans woman navigating a world that often feels hostile and unwelcoming. Growing up in a working-class suburb, she discovers solace and kinship amidst the vibrant, yet chaotic, downtown scene filled with colorful personalities, from glamorous pop divas to charming junkies. Each encounter is a step toward self-discovery, but also a confrontation with the challenges of her reality.
As she immerses herself in the dazzling party culture of Madrid, the protagonist grapples with the complexities of her identity and the stakes of her choices. The city becomes both a refuge and a battleground, where the search for acceptance and love intertwines with the harsh truths of life. Portero's storytelling is infused with a sense of urgency and vulnerability, allowing readers to feel the weight of her character's journey.
Ultimately, Bad Habit is not just a tale of personal growth; it is a poignant exploration of the power of chosen family and the resilience of the human spirit. With its evocative prose and relatable themes, this novel resonates deeply, reminding us of the universal quest for belonging and the courage it takes to embrace one's true self.
'Had me hooked from the first page … Savour every word' Dua Lipa
‘I urge you, read Bad Habit to fully grasp the degree of adversity, pain, and danger endured for virtue of growing-up trans’ Pedro Almodóvar
‘A sublime novel … It is one of the most moving novels I have read in recent years’ Édouard Louis, author of Change
'The book that everyone is reading … tells the story of a working-class transgender woman full of rage and beauty, pain and poetry' New York Times
'Affecting and evocative … incredibly heartening' Observer
'A work of deep humility, spilling over with prose rich as double cream’ Guardian
‘Portero’s elegant storytelling catches a celestial light, illuminating the body in ways beyond language’ Eloghosa Osunde, author of Vagabonds!
'Portero’s prose is so commanding … painful yet unquestionably hopeful' Nicola Dinan, author of Bellies
‘An exemplary and fresh example of the trans bildungsroman … Poignant’ Washington Post
‘Leaves you stunned … Devastating yet beautiful … Special and unique' Travis Alabanza, author of None of the Above
‘Elegant and brutal’ Morgan M Page, author of Boys Don’t Cry
‘Affecting and poetic … Keenly observed’ New York Times Book Review
‘Incredibly moving, completely absorbing … Unforgettable’ Okechukwu Nzelu, author of Here Again Now
‘A beautiful novel … about the journey we take to become who we truly are’ Elena Medel, author of The Wonders
‘Vivid, compassionate and compulsive' Rachel Dawson, author of Neon Roses
‘A ballad, a quest, a revelation’ Saba Sams, author of Send Nudes
‘A story of defiance that makes you proud to be queer’ Amelia Abrahams, author of Queer Intentions
‘A singular and raw voice … The most talked-about debut of the year’ Time Out Spain
‘Engulfing … Portero had me captivated with her visceral prose’ Avni Doshi, author of Burnt Sugar
‘Brutal, tender, and vulnerable … A masterpiece’ Marisa Crane, author of I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself
ISBN: 9780008663292
Dimensions: 222mm x 141mm x 25mm
Weight: 600g
240 pages