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 36
... matter how much you learn , no matter how many books you read , how many degrees you get , in the end , you are from East Harlem . ” He paused . Silence fell . I wasn't about to break it . I looked around the room , bypassing Sapo ...
... matter how much you learn , no matter how many books you read , how many degrees you get , in the end , you are from East Harlem . ” He paused . Silence fell . I wasn't about to break it . I looked around the room , bypassing Sapo ...
Page 41
... matter of time before you have to prove who you are . And Bodega has the biggest name in the neighborhood . " " That's what I'm tryin ' to tell you- " Sapo interrupted . " Yeah , he might , " I interrupted Sapo right back and he let me ...
... matter of time before you have to prove who you are . And Bodega has the biggest name in the neighborhood . " " That's what I'm tryin ' to tell you- " Sapo interrupted . " Yeah , he might , " I interrupted Sapo right back and he let me ...
Page 119
... matter that they can explode . It's just the way it works . SO THAT day , I did as Bodega pleaded . I walked over to Vera , who was outside talking with some teacher . Her posture was ramrod straight ; her back at a perfect right angle ...
... matter that they can explode . It's just the way it works . SO THAT day , I did as Bodega pleaded . I walked over to Vera , who was outside talking with some teacher . Her posture was ramrod straight ; her back at a perfect right angle ...
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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