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
... took as part of life. If you were a graffiti artistand people knew you were a good one, death meant an opportunity to make a few bucks. Someone close to the deceased, usually a woman, would knockon your door. “Mira, my cousin Freddy ...
... took as part of life. If you were a graffiti artistand people knew you were a good one, death meant an opportunity to make a few bucks. Someone close to the deceased, usually a woman, would knockon your door. “Mira, my cousin Freddy ...
Page 7
... took shit from us (especially Sapo), and they were notafraid to curse in class: “Mira, sitdown or I'll kick your ass down.” At times they spoke to us harshly, as if they were our parents. This somehow made us fear and listen to them ...
... took shit from us (especially Sapo), and they were notafraid to curse in class: “Mira, sitdown or I'll kick your ass down.” At times they spoke to us harshly, as if they were our parents. This somehow made us fear and listen to them ...
Page 9
... took over her body. All the guys felt this need to be nice to Blanca, to protect her in any way they could, even though she was a church girl and all they'd ever get would be a peck on the cheek. All the guys, I mean, except Sapo. “Shit ...
... took over her body. All the guys felt this need to be nice to Blanca, to protect her in any way they could, even though she was a church girl and all they'd ever get would be a peck on the cheek. All the guys, I mean, except Sapo. “Shit ...
Page 11
... '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.
... '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 19
... in obtaining it, he took shortcuts and broke some laws, leaving crumbs along the way in hopes of one day turning around and finding his way back to dignity. R o u N D 3 l/illie Kodega Zon't Sell B od E G A D R E A was 19.
... in obtaining it, he took shortcuts and broke some laws, leaving crumbs along the way in hopes of one day turning around and finding his way back to dignity. R o u N D 3 l/illie Kodega Zon't Sell B od E G A D R E A was 19.
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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