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 21
... hand dismissively . " Forget it . Vete . Act like a single man . " She stormed into the bedroom to get on the phone with her sister , Deborah . Blanca called her sister only when she wanted to hear gossip or to complain about me ...
... hand dismissively . " Forget it . Vete . Act like a single man . " She stormed into the bedroom to get on the phone with her sister , Deborah . Blanca called her sister only when she wanted to hear gossip or to complain about me ...
Page 140
... hand , congratulating him on such a great sermon . " " " So you're Claudia . I've heard all these good things about you , " I said in Spanish to Blanca's sister in faith , but she didn't acknowledge my presence . Her eyes were still on ...
... hand , congratulating him on such a great sermon . " " " So you're Claudia . I've heard all these good things about you , " I said in Spanish to Blanca's sister in faith , but she didn't acknowledge my presence . Her eyes were still on ...
Page 157
... hand to indicate he wasn't finished yet . “ The old days are gone . That's fine . We don't own what we used to own . So many groups out there . It's like the U.N. now . " He paused , then looked at Nazario once again . " I've heard ...
... hand to indicate he wasn't finished yet . “ The old days are gone . That's fine . We don't own what we used to own . So many groups out there . It's like the U.N. now . " He paused , then looked at Nazario once again . " I've heard ...
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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