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 1-5 of 29
Page 8
... girl, too. See, there were girls in the neighborhood that you could curse around, act stupid, and all that, 8 E R N E S T o Q U | No N E Z.
... girl, too. See, there were girls in the neighborhood that you could curse around, act stupid, and all that, 8 E R N E S T o Q U | No N E Z.
Page 9
... girl who never shaved her legs because it was against her religion. Blanca had hairy legs as well, but Lucy's legs were so hairy that everyone called her Chewbacca. As if that wasn't enough, Lucy also had huge breasts. Because of them ...
... girl who never shaved her legs because it was against her religion. Blanca had hairy legs as well, but Lucy's legs were so hairy that everyone called her Chewbacca. As if that wasn't enough, Lucy also had huge breasts. Because of them ...
Page 18
... girls. They had the prettiest church girls in the neighborhood. You knew their beauty was real because they didn't wear any makeup and still looked good. And I had married one of the the prettiest. Like with Sapo while I was growing up ...
... girls. They had the prettiest church girls in the neighborhood. You knew their beauty was real because they didn't wear any makeup and still looked good. And I had married one of the the prettiest. Like with Sapo while I was growing up ...
Page 21
... girl. And that's all right cuz she's fine, but you got to admit she's a bitch sometimes." His hand landed on my shoulder and he said, “Bodega is nice, man. You'll like the guy." “What does he want with me?” I asked again. “He didn't say ...
... girl. And that's all right cuz she's fine, but you got to admit she's a bitch sometimes." His hand landed on my shoulder and he said, “Bodega is nice, man. You'll like the guy." “What does he want with me?” I asked again. “He didn't say ...
Page 27
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
Other editions - View all
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