Reviews

Bad Girls by Camila Sosa Villada

citrus_seasalt's review against another edition

4.0

I found out about this from seeing a couple of reading lists circulating during Trans Rights Readathon, and I’m glad I did!! Heartbreaking, but not gratuitous in its violence—it provided a much-needed humanization of trans sex workers. Some parts were so poignant that I wished I’d known enough Spanish to read them in its original text. I thought the magical realism elements mostly worked, in the context of the trans main characters (travestis) it kind of tied into the way they were seen.

I also loved the sisterhood central to this story! There are moments where the travestis chat like friends, or offer support when one of the girls can’t receive it anywhere else. It’s an unconventional kind of family, especially as the different members join and leave throughout. But still, in a story with so much transphobia and danger, for the characters to have this kind of community was absolutely vital. I thought it was interesting seeing how much it shaped the main character, because of how young she is(on the far younger end of adulthood).

I had to deduct a star from my rating because the timeline of the frequent vignettes was sometimes confusing, and although I overall liked this book, appreciating something you’re actively figuring out the narrative structure/timeline of is easier said than done lol. Maybe the translation has to do with it(at least partially)? 

I don’t think this will be for everyone, because of both the subject matter and some of the plot elements (the magical realism is a hit or miss for readers), but I’d personally recommend it. 

baratheonbooks's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence and Transphobia

skuzxs's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

eestellar's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book was not a joyful read - it was dark and sad. I like magical realism but I felt like it hindered this story. The timeline was confusing at times but I'm not sure if that was because of translation or just a story. It was a sad but interesting story, I felt for the women in this story and the terrors they faced. There were parts that were genuinely beautiful and I wished I could read Spanish so I could've read them authentically  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual violence, and Suicide

Moderate: Drug use

mariomelancolico's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

readmeup's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

haneyhaney's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cherrynat's review

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The way I have cried at the beautiful words who pose a very brutal cruelty of the author’s life… Its deeply moving, horrifying, devastating and filled with hope. 

mdelao630's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

• 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

fran_something's review against another edition

4.0

Libro davvero interessante e accattivante caratterizzato da un continuo flusso di coscienza in cui emergono i ricordi, tra presente e passato, della protagonista, Camila, e delle altre donne trans con cui condivide la sua vita (degne di nota le parti in cui si descrivono la storia della Zia Encarna e di María). Il linguaggio è molto forte e grafico, e permette al lettore di immaginare in modo crudo gli accadimenti più significativi che definirei come tanti pugni ben assestati allo stomaco.

Ho trovato la prima parte un po' lenta, sebbene abbia letto la seconda metà del libro con più rapidità.