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 |
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Page 17
... Julio. Just because I go to church doesn't mean I don't know this neighborhood. Here it only matters what they can break, take, or steal from you. I know that Sapo is your friend. I know that. But his friends are not your friends. His ...
... Julio. Just because I go to church doesn't mean I don't know this neighborhood. Here it only matters what they can break, take, or steal from you. I know that Sapo is your friend. I know that. But his friends are not your friends. His ...
Page 20
... 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 Blanca didn't look at Sapo. Blanca pulled me away from the door. “Julio, who is.
... 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 Blanca didn't look at Sapo. Blanca pulled me away from the door. “Julio, who is.
Page 21
... Julio, we've gone through this already. When you leave with him," she loudly whispered, “I get these feelings, Dios me salve." “Blanca, no Christ right now, all right?" This upset her. “What about your work?” Her voice got louder ...
... Julio, we've gone through this already. When you leave with him," she loudly whispered, “I get these feelings, Dios me salve." “Blanca, no Christ right now, all right?" This upset her. “What about your work?” Her voice got louder ...
Page 36
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Page 44
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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