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 106
... Harlem moved up , we would all move up with it . " Willie plans on building a professional class . One born and bred in Spanish Harlem . " So now I knew why he was renovating all those buildings . He planned on housing his people there ...
... Harlem moved up , we would all move up with it . " Willie plans on building a professional class . One born and bred in Spanish Harlem . " So now I knew why he was renovating all those buildings . He planned on housing his people there ...
Page 156
... Harlem belonged to you . In fact , there were two little Italys , one downtown and one in East Harlem . When your bones had plenty of calcium , Mr. Cavalleri , remember that 116th and First was called Lucky Corner because all the ...
... Harlem belonged to you . In fact , there were two little Italys , one downtown and one in East Harlem . When your bones had plenty of calcium , Mr. Cavalleri , remember that 116th and First was called Lucky Corner because all the ...
Page 161
... Harlem , a slum that has been handed down from immigrant to immigrant , like used clothing worn and reworn , stitched and restitched by different ethnic groups who continue to pass it on . A paradox of crime and kindness . It had ...
... Harlem , a slum that has been handed down from immigrant to immigrant , like used clothing worn and reworn , stitched and restitched by different ethnic groups who continue to pass it on . A paradox of crime and kindness . It had ...
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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