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
Results 1-3 of 41
Page 73
... happy . I even said hello to a rat that crossed my path , running from one garbage heap to another . “ Hey , dusty guy . Where you going , eh ? " I said when it poked its head from a plastic bag . I was happy . I was keeping my part of ...
... happy . I even said hello to a rat that crossed my path , running from one garbage heap to another . “ Hey , dusty guy . Where you going , eh ? " I said when it poked its head from a plastic bag . I was happy . I was keeping my part of ...
Page 100
... happy to share them with the kid next door who owns a broken tricycle . Bodega took pride in helping some- one who had just arrived from Puerto Rico or Nicaragua or Mexico or any other Latin American country . He'd get them jobs , legal ...
... happy to share them with the kid next door who owns a broken tricycle . Bodega took pride in helping some- one who had just arrived from Puerto Rico or Nicaragua or Mexico or any other Latin American country . He'd get them jobs , legal ...
Page 140
... happy you came , ” she said . " I'm happy you're happy , " I replied . From the corner of my eye I saw Roberto Vega join his parents and hug them . Others came up to shake his hand , congratulating him on such a great sermon . " " " So ...
... happy you came , ” she said . " I'm happy you're happy , " I replied . From the corner of my eye I saw Roberto Vega join his parents and hug them . Others came up to shake his hand , congratulating him on such a great sermon . " " " So ...
Other editions - View all
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