Bodega Dreams

A Novel

De: Ernesto Quinonez

Narrado por: Angelo Di Loreto

In a stunning narrative combining 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.

©2000 Ernesto Quinonez (P)2019 Tantor

Enjoyed

Very compelling Storytelling by both the author and performer. I'll rescind this book to my high school students.

Wonderful listen-

I really enjoyed listening to this book, the vivid descriptions and small cultural and historical snippets interwoven in the book have made go in search of other books written describing or writing about NYC history.

Great Book!

I felt like they chose a great narrator! Enjoyed the book much more as an audio book.

An Incredible Story!

This book had an amazing story line! I hope they come out with book two! Highly recommend anyone to read this book!

Absolutely FANTASTIC!!

The storytelling of this was fantastic...I could hear, smell and feel all of it, like is was there. The narrator was perfect!
So happy that this author came across my suggestions. I'm on to his next book!

5/5 👍

I loved the story. I hope the writer makes a second part of the story to read what happened to Chino.

Readers should be able to correctly pronounce all the words in a book.

I liked the story. What I did not like was the person reading it. The publisher chose someone who does not speak Spanish or cannot pronounce words very well. Eight and a half minutes in I had to stop listening as he mispronounced Julia de Burgos’ name. It’s okay if you don’t know everything about the culture you are reading, but I think it’s the reader’s responsibility to know how to pronounce words in the book they are being paid to read. The main character is half Puerto Rican and the reader can’t pronounce “boricua”? 🤦🏾‍♀️ SMDH.
What I love about listening or reading a book is that I can get lost in the story. I was continually and abruptly brought back to reality by the reader’s mispronunciation. I suppose it doesn’t matter if you are monolingual or don’t understand Spanish.

a Must hear

I have read this book before. a while back and loved it.. but hearing it made it 10x better.. even tho I knew what was coming . the delivery by the voice actor had me in my feelings.. I felt sad, mad, happy on whole another level from when I was reading it. and I laugh harder than ever before.

Wonderful story about a sad history

I really enjoyed this story, although it’s a sad reflection on what Puerto Ricans have suffered in the US. It’s kind of grim at the end, but the story still reflects a sense of hope for the future.