Bad Girls

Nominated for the Dublin Literary Award, Bad Girls tells a trans woman's story of finding a community on the fringes. Gritty, unflinching, yet also tender, fantastical, and funny, this tale takes place in Sarmiento Park, the green heart of Córdoba. Each night, a group of trans sex workers patrol the park, their leader being the 178-year-old Auntie Encarna. One evening, they hear a cry from the darkness. Encarna investigates and discovers a nearly frozen baby. With urgency, they work together to save the child and welcome him into their surrogate family, which includes outcasts like Camila.

Under the protection of Auntie Encarna's legendary pink house, they find a small respite from the perils they face daily - disease, violence from clients, cops, and boyfriends. As Camila shares her story and the stories of others in the community - such as a mute woman who transforms into a bird and a Headless Man who escaped war-torn lands - the vibrant life of this community in the 90s unfolds. Blending reality with the magic of a dark fairy tale, Bad Girls offers an intimate and nuanced perspective on trans coming-of-age, capturing the peculiarity of our bodies and challenging conventional notions of love, sexuality, gender, and identity.

This mesmerizing novel grips and entertains while providing fresh insights into the human experience. With an undercurrent of resilience and strength, it reminds us of the power of finding solace and belonging among those who understand and support us, even in the most unconventional circumstances.

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