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 28
... looked insulted . His voice sailed a notch . “ I told you Nazario is a lawyer . " " Look man , I know you gotta do what you gotta do , ” I said . “ I got nothin ' against you or what you're doin ' . I don't believe in this ' Just say no ...
... looked insulted . His voice sailed a notch . “ I told you Nazario is a lawyer . " " Look man , I know you gotta do what you gotta do , ” I said . “ I got nothin ' against you or what you're doin ' . I don't believe in this ' Just say no ...
Page 36
... looked straight at me again , snapping his fingers just as he started to speak . “ Both working together , getting buildings . Thass a big legal shit , but don't worry , Nazario will guide you through it all . ” " I'm only half Rican ...
... looked straight at me again , snapping his fingers just as he started to speak . “ Both working together , getting buildings . Thass a big legal shit , but don't worry , Nazario will guide you through it all . ” " I'm only half Rican ...
Page 188
... looked at Bodega for only a second . He was trying to figure it all out but couldn't . He didn't have a clue . He then looked back at his wife . “ Do you owe this gentleman something ? ” he asked her kindly . " Money ? Anything ? Vera ...
... looked at Bodega for only a second . He was trying to figure it all out but couldn't . He didn't have a clue . He then looked back at his wife . “ Do you owe this gentleman something ? ” he asked her kindly . " Money ? Anything ? Vera ...
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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