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 69
... Julio , why ? Let's just go to sleep . " That's all she said , but I knew I couldn't get out of it . I had to go . No matter what Blanca would say or how angry she would get , I had to do my part . Fortunately Blanca was in good spirits ...
... Julio , why ? Let's just go to sleep . " That's all she said , but I knew I couldn't get out of it . I had to go . No matter what Blanca would say or how angry she would get , I had to do my part . Fortunately Blanca was in good spirits ...
Page 93
... Julio , you heard about that reporter , Salazar , Alberto Salazar ? ” I was cooking dinner and she was sitting at the table reading El Diario . Blanca would usually read the Times but El Diario was the only news- paper that bothered to ...
... Julio , you heard about that reporter , Salazar , Alberto Salazar ? ” I was cooking dinner and she was sitting at the table reading El Diario . Blanca would usually read the Times but El Diario was the only news- paper that bothered to ...
Page 103
... Julio . " " If you see it that way it's cool , " I said . “ But like my father always said , ' El dinero robado tú te lo gastas con miedo . ' I'd rather make five bucks honestly and spend it knowing it's all mine than fifty and worry ...
... Julio . " " If you see it that way it's cool , " I said . “ But like my father always said , ' El dinero robado tú te lo gastas con miedo . ' I'd rather make five bucks honestly and spend it knowing it's all mine than fifty and worry ...
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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