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 16
... hear about it. I want to hear it from you." Blanca faced me. Her hazel eyes stared fiercely into mine. I blinked. She didn't. She poked a finger in my chest. “I want to hear it, understand? From you and not from someone else's mouth ...
... hear about it. I want to hear it from you." Blanca faced me. Her hazel eyes stared fiercely into mine. I blinked. She didn't. She poked a finger in my chest. “I want to hear it, understand? From you and not from someone else's mouth ...
Page 18
... hear that. All right, you know that taped-up paper bag I left wi'choolass night?” "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 ...
... hear that. All right, you know that taped-up paper bag I left wi'choolass night?” "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 ...
Page 20
... hear him. She strode to the door and stared at me, waiting to see what I was going to say. “What does he want?” "Bro, are you coming or not?" Sapo asked impatiently as if I was taking up his valuable time. He didn't look at Blanca and ...
... hear him. She strode to the door and stared at me, waiting to see what I was going to say. “What does he want?” "Bro, are you coming or not?" Sapo asked impatiently as if I was taking up his valuable time. He didn't look at Blanca and ...
Page 21
... hear gossip or to complain about me. Deborah was the complete opposite of Blanca. She wasn't as pretty, wasn't Pentecostal, she cursed, drank Budweiser from the can, and got into fights. She was so much the opposite of her kid sister ...
... hear gossip or to complain about me. Deborah was the complete opposite of Blanca. She wasn't as pretty, wasn't Pentecostal, she cursed, drank Budweiser from the can, and got into fights. She was so much the opposite of her kid sister ...
Page 24
... hear you," I said. I always say “I hear you" when I don't understand things or have nothing to add. “Nazario, he's amazin'. Chino, he knows the law inside out, like a reversible coat. And thass just the beginnin'. With Nazario I intend ...
... hear you," I said. I always say “I hear you" when I don't understand things or have nothing to add. “Nazario, he's amazin'. Chino, he knows the law inside out, like a reversible coat. And thass just the beginnin'. With Nazario I intend ...
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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