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 13
... married." I could have married Blanca right then and there. Instead we enrolled at Hunter College, because we knew we needed school if we were ever going to change ourselves. We got married the following year. Those were the days when ...
... married." I could have married Blanca right then and there. Instead we enrolled at Hunter College, because we knew we needed school if we were ever going to change ourselves. We got married the following year. Those were the days when ...
Page 14
... married you because I thought you had brains. I thought you had more brains than most of the f.s.fucks in this neighborhood." When Blanca cursed, I knew she was mad. Even when she was angry I could detect some hesitation, a stutter ...
... married you because I thought you had brains. I thought you had more brains than most of the f.s.fucks in this neighborhood." When Blanca cursed, I knew she was mad. Even when she was angry I could detect some hesitation, a stutter ...
Page 17
... marry me, her pastor, Miguel Vasquez, had warned her that if she marriedme—a worldlyperson, a mundane—she'd lose the privilege of playing the tambourine in front of the congregation. That meantalotto Blanca. At times she'd beg me to ...
... marry me, her pastor, Miguel Vasquez, had warned her that if she marriedme—a worldlyperson, a mundane—she'd lose the privilege of playing the tambourine in front of the congregation. That meantalotto Blanca. At times she'd beg me to ...
Page 18
... married one of the the prettiest. Like with Sapo while I was growing up, I needed Blanca with me so I could feel valuable. No, I didn't want to mess that up. the N one day when I came home from work and was getting my books to go and ...
... married one of the the prettiest. Like with Sapo while I was growing up, I needed Blanca with me so I could feel valuable. No, I didn't want to mess that up. the N one day when I came home from work and was getting my books to go and ...
Page 21
... marry that 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 ...
... marry that 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 ...
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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