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memydogandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
[AD: kinda because my friend got an ARC from the publisher and she passed it on to me! Publisher is 4th Estate]
SYNOPSIS:
A coming-of-age story about a transgender woman in working-class Madrid. The protagonist navigates her identity and the harsh realities of her surroundings, finding solace in a vibrant downtown community but facing violence and difficult choices.
MY THOUGHTS:
- Elegantly written and translated
- Poignant, heartbreaking and hopefully
- Beautiful exploration of identity, belonging and sisterhood
- Devasting but there is hope, I promise
- This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster and will sit with me for a long time after reading!
- A must-read, PLEASE pre-order, add it to your TBR or request if from you library.
Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, and Transphobia
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Before you get the chance to define yourself, others trace your outline with their prejudices and their aggressions.
Thank you to the publisher for this advance review copy via NetGalley.
This is an incredibly emotional and moving coming of age story of a young trans girl growing up in a working class area of Madrid in the 80's and 90's, with the rippling effects of Franco's dictatorship still felt in the culture and attitudes of the population.
The translation is phenomenal, while still feeling so Spanish. I grew up in Spain and seeing depictions of the culture I'm familiar with was weirdly comforting in a way that I often don't get from books set in the UK.
The book is truly beautiful, a love letter to women, queer family and community, but also a book with a lot of pain and anger within it. I really loved it and will think about it often.
Read during the 2024 Trans Rights Readathon.
Graphic: Violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Misogyny
minniepauline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I feel that I’ve gained a lot of insight into what it’s like to grow up as a trans woman. Especially in a working-class neighborhood in the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. As painful as it is, at times, to read, it’s never over-the-top or gratuitous, but simply feels true.
There is no plot here, and I think a little bit of one might have helped me to feel less bogged-down toward the middle of the novel, but the beginning and end make up for it.
Thank you to HarperVia for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel.
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Hate crime
torismazarine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Deadnaming, Grief, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Alcohol, Cancer, Addiction, Classism, Death, Drug use, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness
Minor: Rape, Lesbophobia, and Murder
isabelvegga's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
💙
“Mi máscara era una tras la que esconderse, una de vergüenza y miedo, una que a esa edad no debería necesitar, siquiera conocer.”
“Que la violencia machista se dispensa con independencia de lo que hagamos o dejemos de hacer las mujeres era algo que todavía no había aprendido.”
“Eran pequeñas afirmaciones que se iban acumulando y que parecían describir a otra criatura que no era yo. (…) las recibía como avisos de la vergüenza que supondría negarlas.”
“Me di cuenta de que el miedo me afectaba de un modo particular, manteniéndome en un estado perpetuo de inmadurez por alejarme de toda experiencia significativa.”
“Nunca llegué a entender por qué la diversión de unos pasaba por encima de la humillación de otros.”
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer and Suicidal thoughts
soparosa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Violence, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Deadnaming, and Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Ableism, Dysphoria, and Domestic abuse
josecrg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Body shaming and Hate crime
jo_an's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Transphobia
danidamico's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Alana Portero escribe con una pasión y una vulnerabilidad increíbles, logra mezclar un universo poético y mítico con la vida coloquial del barrio. Y este texto no es sólo sobre la protagonista, esta es otra cualidad preciosa que tiene: un espíritu colectivo. También es sobre las Margaritas, las Eugenias, las Paulas, los Antonios y los Jays.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Hate crime, and Incest
Moderate: Cancer and Police brutality