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 |
From inside the book
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Page 119
... Vera . He saved me the bother . " This is Julio Mercado . He's in college now and I'm hoping he will continue on to law school , " Nazario informed Vera . Closer , I could see that Vera's face had the resonance of a former highly prized ...
... Vera . He saved me the bother . " This is Julio Mercado . He's in college now and I'm hoping he will continue on to law school , " Nazario informed Vera . Closer , I could see that Vera's face had the resonance of a former highly prized ...
Page 189
... Vera , " he said tenderly . “ Just come back with me . " " Don't you see ? " - Bodega got closer to the old man- " She's leav- ing you . " Vera's husband seemed intimidated . Bodega was the block bully . Bodega took a step back and ...
... Vera , " he said tenderly . “ Just come back with me . " " Don't you see ? " - Bodega got closer to the old man- " She's leav- ing you . " Vera's husband seemed intimidated . Bodega was the block bully . Bodega took a step back and ...
Page 193
Ernesto Quiñonez. that Vera's husband was dead . His bloodstained suit didn't put out that spark in his conscience that told him Vera was all his . Her vows had been severed for sure . Now , as in the past , he and Nazario would clean up ...
Ernesto Quiñonez. that Vera's husband was dead . His bloodstained suit didn't put out that spark in his conscience that told him Vera was all his . Her vows had been severed for sure . Now , as in the past , he and Nazario would clean up ...
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