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 5
... Yeah, I can paint that" and never ask for the money upfront, because then you wouldn't gettipped. I painted dozens of R.I.P.s for guys in El Barrio who felt small and needed something violent to jump-start their lives and at the same ...
... Yeah, I can paint that" and never ask for the money upfront, because then you wouldn't gettipped. I painted dozens of R.I.P.s for guys in El Barrio who felt small and needed something violent to jump-start their lives and at the same ...
Page 11
... Yeah, you're right, pana," I said to him, but knew I didn't mean it. I gave my kite to the wind, which took it with a hiss, and I thought of Blanca and let out more string. R o U. N. D 2 Willie Kodega N the B O D E G A D R E A M 5 11.
... Yeah, you're right, pana," I said to him, but knew I didn't mean it. I gave my kite to the wind, which took it with a hiss, and I thought of Blanca and let out more string. R o U. N. D 2 Willie Kodega N the B O D E G A D R E A M 5 11.
Page 18
... Yeah, but if you picking that up you gonna have to wait, bro. Because I have to go to class and meet Blanca." “Oh, I'm touched, Jane and Joe Night School. How sweet." “Whatever, bro. Look, I have to get off." “Pero, bro, no corra, I ...
... Yeah, but if you picking that up you gonna have to wait, bro. Because I have to go to class and meet Blanca." “Oh, I'm touched, Jane and Joe Night School. How sweet." “Whatever, bro. Look, I have to get off." “Pero, bro, no corra, I ...
Page 19
... Yeah, so?” “Well, just put the bag in a backpack and he'll take it. It's no big deal. You'll lose the backpack but it's a cheap fucken bag anyway. My bro, you even know the dude. Tweety, remember him? Tweety from Julia de Burgos? Later ...
... Yeah, so?” “Well, just put the bag in a backpack and he'll take it. It's no big deal. You'll lose the backpack but it's a cheap fucken bag anyway. My bro, you even know the dude. Tweety, remember him? Tweety from Julia de Burgos? Later ...
Page 22
... Yeah, I know,” I said, and we walked out to the street. From my place in the Schomburg projects on 111th and Fifth to Casablanca the camiceria on 110th between Lexington and Park is only four blocks. Regardless, Sapo led me to his ...
... Yeah, I know,” I said, and we walked out to the street. From my place in the Schomburg projects on 111th and Fifth to Casablanca the camiceria on 110th between Lexington and Park is only four blocks. Regardless, Sapo led me to his ...
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Common terms and phrases
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