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 132
... eyes . I wondered what Negra had told her . " She said that you would know this Bodega . And that this Bodega would take care of Victor , because he owes you . And you owe Negra . " Have you ever had that feeling , like when you were a ...
... eyes . I wondered what Negra had told her . " She said that you would know this Bodega . And that this Bodega would take care of Victor , because he owes you . And you owe Negra . " Have you ever had that feeling , like when you were a ...
Page 137
... eyes watering , her small hands pounding at her heart . Roberto pointed at Claudia . " Yes , He saved you . Before ... eyes as if he was in torment ; as if he was Oedipus about to rip his eyes out . Blanca smiled an enlightened smile as ...
... eyes watering , her small hands pounding at her heart . Roberto pointed at Claudia . " Yes , He saved you . Before ... eyes as if he was in torment ; as if he was Oedipus about to rip his eyes out . Blanca smiled an enlightened smile as ...
Page 165
... eyes were like ashes . The same women who once harbored crushes would whis- per as he passed by , “ That guy was a church boy once and now he steals from his mother . " " Why didn't you tell me before , Blanca ? " I turned toward ...
... eyes were like ashes . The same women who once harbored crushes would whis- per as he passed by , “ That guy was a church boy once and now he steals from his mother . " " Why didn't you tell me before , Blanca ? " I turned toward ...
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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