Bodega DreamsIn this "thriller with literary merit" (Time Out New York), a stunning narrative combines the gritty rhythms of Junot Diaz with the noir genius of Walter Mosley. Bodega Dreams pulls us into Spanish Harlem, where the word is out: Willie Bodega is king. Need college tuition for your daughter? Start-up funds for your fruit stand? Bodega can help. He gives everyone a leg up, in exchange only for loyalty—and a steady income from the drugs he pushes. Lyrical, inspired, and darkly funny, this powerful debut novel brilliantly evokes the trial of Chino, a smart, promising young man to whom Bodega turns for a favor. Chino is drawn to Bodega's street-smart idealism, but soon finds himself over his head, navigating an underworld of switchblade tempers, turncoat morality, and murder. "Bodega is a fascinating character. . . . The story [Quiñonez] tells has energy and verve." —The New York Times Book Review |
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Page 140
... Roberto Vega join his parents and hug them . Others came up to shake his hand , congratulating him on such a great sermon . " So you're Claudia . I've heard all these good things about you , ” I said in Spanish to Blanca's sister in ...
... Roberto Vega join his parents and hug them . Others came up to shake his hand , congratulating him on such a great sermon . " So you're Claudia . I've heard all these good things about you , ” I said in Spanish to Blanca's sister in ...
Page 142
... Roberto Vega . Impressive . I thought he was very convinc- ing . " " You should see , sometimes brothers come from as far away as New Jersey to hear him talk . ” " Blanca , " I said , " if you know Claudia is in love with Roberto , why ...
... Roberto Vega . Impressive . I thought he was very convinc- ing . " " You should see , sometimes brothers come from as far away as New Jersey to hear him talk . ” " Blanca , " I said , " if you know Claudia is in love with Roberto , why ...
Page 162
... Roberto Vega and Claudia were standing , holding hands . Near them were suitcases and tote bags . When they saw me , the room fell silent . Blanca smiled and carefully stood up , and I hugged her , not knowing why Roberto and Claudia ...
... Roberto Vega and Claudia were standing , holding hands . Near them were suitcases and tote bags . When they saw me , the room fell silent . Blanca smiled and carefully stood up , and I hugged her , not knowing why Roberto and Claudia ...
Contents
Because Men Who Built This Country Were Men from the Streets | 1 |
Because a Single Lawyer Can Steal More Money Than a Hundred Men with Guns | 83 |
A New Language Being Born | 201 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
ain't Alberto Salazar Alleluia asked aunt b'cause Barrio Blanca Blessington building called Chino church Claudia Coño cops crazy DeJesus door East Harlem Enrique everything eyes face fire Fischman floor fuck fucken girl gonna hand happy hated head hear heard hope inside Iris Chacón Julia de Burgos Julio killed knew Latin laughed leave living Loisaida looked married Mercado mother Nazario Negra neighborhood Nene never nigga night nodded okay Ortiz pana PEDRO PIETRI Pentecostal Piri Thomas Puerto Rican Robert Frost Roberto Vega Salazar salsa Sapo Sapo's shit sister smiled someone Spanish Harlem stared street Taino talk Tapia tell Thass Thass right things thought told took Vera's Veronica Victor Vidal waited walked Whass whispered wife William Irizarry Willie Bodega Yeah yelled yo'r