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 21
... Blanca and he knew Blanca hated him right back . " A friend . " " A friend of Enrique's , you mean ? ” " A friend of Sapo is a friend of mine , ” I said , and Blanca shot me an evil look , then pointedly clasped her rounded belly ...
... Blanca and he knew Blanca hated him right back . " A friend . " " A friend of Enrique's , you mean ? ” " A friend of Sapo is a friend of mine , ” I said , and Blanca shot me an evil look , then pointedly clasped her rounded belly ...
Page 63
... Blanca , we have our own problems , ” I said , making believe I was trying to go to sleep . Blanca sat carefully on the bed next to me . I knew she was thinking again . I wondered why she had so much interest in this girl from Colombia ...
... Blanca , we have our own problems , ” I said , making believe I was trying to go to sleep . Blanca sat carefully on the bed next to me . I knew she was thinking again . I wondered why she had so much interest in this girl from Colombia ...
Page 66
... Blanca about what had happened with Victor . Blanca went into the living room and picked up the phone . I could hear her voice , worried and excited at the same time as she asked about Victor's condition . Blanca laughed and then ...
... Blanca about what had happened with Victor . Blanca went into the living room and picked up the phone . I could hear her voice , worried and excited at the same time as she asked about Victor's condition . Blanca laughed and then ...
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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 dreams 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 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