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 67
Page 37
... took them and clipped my joint . “ See , Chino , I'm talking about property . I'm talking about owning the neighborhood legally . The way the Kennedys own Boston . But this ain't fucken Boston . This's New York City . Manhattan ...
... took them and clipped my joint . “ See , Chino , I'm talking about property . I'm talking about owning the neighborhood legally . The way the Kennedys own Boston . But this ain't fucken Boston . This's New York City . Manhattan ...
Page 54
... took out a cigarette and the three of us waited outside the car for the smell to clear . “ I feel bad for that bird , you know , ” Nene said , “ but you know , at least he gets to meet the spirit in the sky . Thass where I want to go ...
... took out a cigarette and the three of us waited outside the car for the smell to clear . “ I feel bad for that bird , you know , ” Nene said , “ but you know , at least he gets to meet the spirit in the sky . Thass where I want to go ...
Page 70
... took the elevator up , and knocked on 40B . Nene opened the door . " Hey , Sapo and Chino . Whass up , like I want to take you higher . ” He let us in . " Tell yo'r cus Chino is here , " Sapo said . " Oh , man . Wait , like , Nazario is ...
... took the elevator up , and knocked on 40B . Nene opened the door . " Hey , Sapo and Chino . Whass up , like I want to take you higher . ” He let us in . " Tell yo'r cus Chino is here , " Sapo said . " Oh , man . Wait , like , Nazario is ...
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