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
Results 1-3 of 17
Page 102
... played it to the fullest . " With pay , right ? I get today off with pay ? " I asked . " No , you know we❞ — he looked at the other employees ' faces- " we don't pay you for sick days . " " Well then , I can hack it . I mean , I'm sick ...
... played it to the fullest . " With pay , right ? I get today off with pay ? " I asked . " No , you know we❞ — he looked at the other employees ' faces- " we don't pay you for sick days . " " Well then , I can hack it . I mean , I'm sick ...
Page 132
... played hooky all last week and thought you had gotten away with it , and then at the most pedestrian of times , let's say when you are making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or just watching TV , your father comes with a letter from ...
... played hooky all last week and thought you had gotten away with it , and then at the most pedestrian of times , let's say when you are making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or just watching TV , your father comes with a letter from ...
Page 146
... Jacks box contain- ing Sapo's stuff . Meanwhile Nazario played his part beautifully . His face led you to believe his place was among the ruins . Nazario was moving from apart- ment to apartment , reassuring the tenants that they'd have.
... Jacks box contain- ing Sapo's stuff . Meanwhile Nazario played his part beautifully . His face led you to believe his place was among the ruins . Nazario was moving from apart- ment to apartment , reassuring the tenants that they'd have.
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 | |
Other editions - View all
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