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 6-10 of 30
Page 13
... called John.” “I see your point. But what's in a name, anyway? A Rivera from Spanish Harlem by any other name would still be from Spanish Harlem." Blanca laughed and called me stupid. Then she said, “I have an aunt named Veronica. When ...
... called John.” “I see your point. But what's in a name, anyway? A Rivera from Spanish Harlem by any other name would still be from Spanish Harlem." Blanca laughed and called me stupid. Then she said, “I have an aunt named Veronica. When ...
Page 19
... called you if I coulda come by? Fuck, man, you go to school or what?" So, without telling Blanca, I did as Sapo had asked. THE NExt night Sapo knocked at my door and handed me fifty dollars, just for taking something to where I was ...
... called you if I coulda come by? Fuck, man, you go to school or what?" So, without telling Blanca, I did as Sapo had asked. THE NExt night Sapo knocked at my door and handed me fifty dollars, just for taking something to where I was ...
Page 21
... called her sister only when she wanted to 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 ...
... called her sister only when she wanted to 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 ...
Page 44
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
Page 57
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