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 |
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Page 176
... Ortiz what happened to his coffee . " This won't take long , Mr. Mercado . ” Ortiz drove . " Where you from ? " I asked them but neither answered . I didn't bother to ask again , and we rode the rest of the way in silence . At the 23rd ...
... Ortiz what happened to his coffee . " This won't take long , Mr. Mercado . ” Ortiz drove . " Where you from ? " I asked them but neither answered . I didn't bother to ask again , and we rode the rest of the way in silence . At the 23rd ...
Page 195
... Ortiz and DeJesus , I saw Nazario . At first I thought he was under arrest , but when I saw Vera sitting next to him on the wooden bench , I knew he had been waiting for me . " This man is also my client , " he said to DeJesus and Ortiz ...
... Ortiz and DeJesus , I saw Nazario . At first I thought he was under arrest , but when I saw Vera sitting next to him on the wooden bench , I knew he had been waiting for me . " This man is also my client , " he said to DeJesus and Ortiz ...
Page 196
... Ortiz and DeJesus . Nazario went over to where Vera was sitting , and told her that he'd be coming back . She nodded and dug in her purse for her compact . She had cried a lot and needed to check the damage . DeJesus and Ortiz led us to ...
... Ortiz and DeJesus . Nazario went over to where Vera was sitting , and told her that he'd be coming back . She nodded and dug in her purse for her compact . She had cried a lot and needed to check the damage . DeJesus and Ortiz led us to ...
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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