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 |
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Page 10
... thass all. Because it's really bullshit. But you like her so you riding that shit, bro. But you know it's all bullshit. Yo, check this out, my moms prays to her saint, Santa Clara, every day at Saint Cecilia's. She lights all these ...
... thass all. Because it's really bullshit. But you like her so you riding that shit, bro. But you know it's all bullshit. Yo, check this out, my moms prays to her saint, Santa Clara, every day at Saint Cecilia's. She lights all these ...
Page 21
... ” I asked again. “He didn't say. He just wants ta speak with you, thass all.” We headed toward the stairs and Sapo squeezed my shoulder and then stopped. He took his hand off me, turned, and looked 8 o d e o A. D. R. E. A. M. 5 21.
... ” I asked again. “He didn't say. He just wants ta speak with you, thass all.” We headed toward the stairs and Sapo squeezed my shoulder and then stopped. He took his hand off me, turned, and looked 8 o d e o A. D. R. E. A. M. 5 21.
Page 22
... Thass the only reason why Bodega has him around, b'cause you can't fire your own family. But the nigga is stupid, bro. So when we get there he is going to open the door and that nigga, bro, that nigga talks in songs. Like, he fucken ...
... Thass the only reason why Bodega has him around, b'cause you can't fire your own family. But the nigga is stupid, bro. So when we get there he is going to open the door and that nigga, bro, that nigga talks in songs. Like, he fucken ...
Page 24
... thass all that maras." Bodega then eyed me again up and down, then nodded his head, snapped his fingers, and pointed at me all in the same motion. “You all right," he said, as if he finally approved. “So, check it out, Chino, right? It ...
... thass all that maras." Bodega then eyed me again up and down, then nodded his head, snapped his fingers, and pointed at me all in the same motion. “You all right," he said, as if he finally approved. “So, check it out, Chino, right? It ...
Page 28
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ain't Alberto Salazar Alleluia asked aunt b'cause baby Barrio bitch Blanca Blessington building called Chino church Claudia Colombia cops crazy DeJesus door East Harlem East River Enrique everything eyes face fire Fischman floor fuck fucken girl gonna hand happy hated head hear heard hope inside Iris Chacón Izzy Julia de Burgos Julio killed knew Latin laughed leave living looked married Mercado mother Nazario Negra neighborhood Nene never nigga night nodded okay opened Ortiz pana Pentecostal 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 Vasquez Vera's Veronica Victor Vidal waiting walked Whassup whispered wife William Irizarry Willie Bodega Yeah yelled