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 31
... hope to my time . It was hard to define it at first because I thought no one could possibly believe any of that , not anymore . But Bodega didn't just believe it , he was actu- ally practicing it . He had learned from the past and knew ...
... hope to my time . It was hard to define it at first because I thought no one could possibly believe any of that , not anymore . But Bodega didn't just believe it , he was actu- ally practicing it . He had learned from the past and knew ...
Page 99
... hope it works , " I shrugged . " In theory , it works like a socialist peasant but in real life ” —he stopped walking and placed his arm around my shoulder- “ in real life we have to do what Willie says . He wants you to accompany him ...
... hope it works , " I shrugged . " In theory , it works like a socialist peasant but in real life ” —he stopped walking and placed his arm around my shoulder- “ in real life we have to do what Willie says . He wants you to accompany him ...
Page 106
... hope for the neighborhood . " This neighborhood will be lost unless we make it ours . Look at Loi- saida , that's gone , " Nazario said . “ All those white yuppies want to live in Manhattan , and they think Spanish Harlem is next 106 ...
... hope for the neighborhood . " This neighborhood will be lost unless we make it ours . Look at Loi- saida , that's gone , " Nazario said . “ All those white yuppies want to live in Manhattan , and they think Spanish Harlem is next 106 ...
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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