Bodega Dreams"A new and authentic voice of the urban Latino experience." --Esmeralda Santiago, author of When I Was Puerto Rican In a stunning narrative combining the gritty rhythms of Junot Diaz with the noir genius of Walter Mosley, Bodega Dreams announces the arrival of a writer who The Village Voice has already hailed as "a Writer on the Verge." The word is out in Spanish Harlem: Willy 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. Lyric, 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. |
From inside the book
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Page 24
I saw Bodega scope me out and shake his head , as if he was disappointed . As if
he had expected someone else . “ You a friend of Sapo , right ? ” He asked ,
knowing full well that I was . “ Yeah , ” I said , not really knowing how to answer .
I saw Bodega scope me out and shake his head , as if he was disappointed . As if
he had expected someone else . “ You a friend of Sapo , right ? ” He asked ,
knowing full well that I was . “ Yeah , ” I said , not really knowing how to answer .
Page 60
She lowered her head and asked the Lord for help . When she raised her head to
look at me again her face was red and her eyes were wet from the hurt that dries
your throat and hurts when you swallow . “ I ' m happy that you got us this ...
She lowered her head and asked the Lord for help . When she raised her head to
look at me again her face was red and her eyes were wet from the hurt that dries
your throat and hurts when you swallow . “ I ' m happy that you got us this ...
Page 69
Fortunately Blanca was in good spirits that night , and when I motioned my head
toward the car she just sighed . “ You know , Julio , ” she said , “ the lease says no
pets allowed . So when we move he can ' t come over anymore . ” She kissed ...
Fortunately Blanca was in good spirits that night , and when I motioned my head
toward the car she just sighed . “ You know , Julio , ” she said , “ the lease says no
pets allowed . So when we move he can ' t come over anymore . ” She kissed ...
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - BtB_Library - LibraryThingBodega Dreams features really well-written, sympathetic characters living in Spanish Harlem. With a gripping, detailed portrayal of the neighborhood and a fast moving plot that's very easy to get ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - marciathing - LibraryThingThe books by Ernesto Quinonez were my first introduction to Spanish Harlem. Thanks to my Midwestern existence, and even to some years in S. Texas, I had never known this place existed. Both his novels are fantastic and engrossing. I'm looking forward to more. Read full review
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 already answer asked believe better Blanca Blessington block Bodega building called Chino church City Claudia coming didn't don't door East everything eyes face feel felt fire floor front fuck fucken gave getting girl give hand happened happy Harlem hated head hear heard hope inside it's Italy Julio keep killed knew later Latin laughed leave living looked Lord married mean meet mother move Nazario Negra neighborhood Nene never night once opened played Roberto Salazar Sapo seemed seen shit sister smiled someone Spanish started stay stopped street sure talk tell Thass That's things thought told took turned Vera Veronica Victor waited walked watch wife Willie Yeah yelled young
Bibliographic information
| Title | Bodega Dreams Vintage Contemporaries Vintage contemporaries original |
| Authors | Ernesto Quiǫnez, Ernesto Quiñonez |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Vintage Contemporaries, 2000 |
| ISBN | 0375705899, 9780375705892 |
| Length | 213 pages |
| Subjects | › Fiction / General Fiction / Urban |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |