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 26
... opened the plastic bag , the aroma was like coffee and the seeds were as big as quenepas . Bodega then zipped the bag back up and flung it to Sapo . " Sapito , roll us some . " Sapo smiled his huge smile and brought out his own bambú ...
... opened the plastic bag , the aroma was like coffee and the seeds were as big as quenepas . Bodega then zipped the bag back up and flung it to Sapo . " Sapito , roll us some . " Sapo smiled his huge smile and brought out his own bambú ...
Page 54
Ernesto Quiñonez. Sapo opened the car door and a terrible odor rose from inside . " Fucken shit . " He opened all the doors and pressed a button to slide all the windows down . He took out a cigarette and the three of us waited outside ...
Ernesto Quiñonez. Sapo opened the car door and a terrible odor rose from inside . " Fucken shit . " He opened all the doors and pressed a button to slide all the windows down . He took out a cigarette and the three of us waited outside ...
Page 212
... opened the door . He was dressed as a Young Lord and had on his beret and pin , a copy of Pa'lante under his arm . He walked in and looked around and then asked me , " Do me a little solid , Chino , and open the fire escape for me . I ...
... opened the door . He was dressed as a Young Lord and had on his beret and pin , a copy of Pa'lante under his arm . He walked in and looked around and then asked me , " Do me a little solid , Chino , and open the fire escape for me . I ...
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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