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 99
... Nazario spoke cleanly and used his slang only when it suited him . Nazario's and Bodega's speeches were as different as a glass of tap water and a glass of wine . And unlike Bodega , who said exactly what was on his mind , Nazario would ...
... Nazario spoke cleanly and used his slang only when it suited him . Nazario's and Bodega's speeches were as different as a glass of tap water and a glass of wine . And unlike Bodega , who said exactly what was on his mind , Nazario would ...
Page 105
... Nazario quickly turned around . The two men embraced as if they had known each other for years . The owner was a kind man in his fifties . When Nazario introduced me , he proudly declared , " See , Chino , there's two museums in Spanish ...
... Nazario quickly turned around . The two men embraced as if they had known each other for years . The owner was a kind man in his fifties . When Nazario introduced me , he proudly declared , " See , Chino , there's two museums in Spanish ...
Page 209
... Nazario and Vera had embraced the Jesuit and whomever else they were continuing to fool . Then I made my way over to Nazario . Vera , along with Nene , was wait- ing for him in a car . " I know everything , ” I said to Nazario . His ...
... Nazario and Vera had embraced the Jesuit and whomever else they were continuing to fool . Then I made my way over to Nazario . Vera , along with Nene , was wait- ing for him in a car . " I know everything , ” I said to Nazario . His ...
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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