Bodega Dreams: A Novel

A spin on her writing.

This is one of my favorite authors so I was excited to read this book of fiction. Being Puerto Rican I could identify with the characters and culture. This book is a must read!!! E. Santiago's writing style is siliar to D. L. Blanco's novel, Single Latina Female which is a really good book, too.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Solid Book

I would recommend Bodega Dreams for any high school student or college student strictly because although it¿s a good book the language is somewhat strong and the overall premise of the book is a little too intense and mature for younger readers. I really liked the major chunk of the book where chino is introduced to Bodega and at first is very reluctant to hook-up with him the only way he stays at their first meeting is because Sapo was there and he hadn¿t smoked in a long time. I also thought the Veronica or Vera angle with Bodega, chino, and Blanca involved was a very good part in the story made the ending good where it was one of those twist types of endings and not concrete which pending you preference is a good one. The only part of the book I did not agree with was the beginning of the book. I like how it started in the beginning with his childhood, but I thought it didn¿t transition well because first he had a crush on Blanca then bam he marries her. Other than that I thought it was a very solid book, that¿s worth a read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is in fact one of the best novels I've read in a long time.

The book is set in East Harlem in the early 1990 and shows an inner city life of crime, underground warlords, and a sense of hope. Ernesto Quiñones depicts the conflict the character named Chino has, choosing between his religious wife Blanca and his friends in crime. The story has some flaws, such as not revealing enough about Chino's friend Sapo, not describing the brutal violence, and leaving us wanting more in the end; but otherwise, the author has written a masterpiece, depicting Hispanic struggles and lifestyle in the United States. I recommend this book 100% to teenagers, especially the Hispanic community; you won't regret it!

Good book that will be read quick and easily.

If you have lived in NYC and are of Latino background you will idetify with the story told. Someone knows of someone in the situation the characters are in. The book reads easy and the plot is not exactly what you think it will be. The ending is a lesson to be learned.

A wonderful book

This is a wonder ful book. Im in the 8th grade and so far i love it. You dont know what is going to happen next 'This is the best book I get to read to a class I had to fight to get it. I love it' my teacher said All teens sould read it, but only if you are ready for it because it has a lot of 'bad words'

I Read This Book in High School

Most of the books in school are so boring but this one just gets you into it. I hate reading but i was reading this book. This book leaves you guessing, makes you want to read it more to see what happens. And the end will surprise you!

Twisted

This book is a wonder. Events within the book happen but you never see it coming. In the process of Julio trying to finish college he encounters some characters like Willie and Nazario. Both men are important in Julio's life, but he doesn't know it until it hits him. With this book I spent train rides entertained and anxiously waiting for the next thing to happen. I recomment this book to everyone, even those who dislike reading it will change your mind and you'll want to keep on reading.

Must read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The author holds the interest of it¿s reader by the reality of his writing. That what mostly held my interest. The reality of the story as you read you felt that you were in the story. That you were there with the characters experiencing their sadness, grieves, struggles, hard times as well as their good. As they went through their ups you felt happy along with them as they went through their downs you felt a great lack of disappointment and sympathy. Another thing that made the book so intriguing was the language, as you read you felt as if you were in the setting of the book. From the language you could tell the year this book was portraying, the ethic and culture of the people, and most of all, the place. The thing that motivated me to continue reading was the humor of book. These are what held my interest.

What a page turner!

For someone who despises reading this book was great. The only way that I can get into a book is if it grabs me from the beginning. That was exactly what the author did with bodega dreams. It is filled with betrayal, love, and reality. this is a great read.

Th best Latino novel

This is the best book with a social conscience written about Latinos. This book should've been an automatic bestseller with a powerful message about seeing the bigger picture in life and a wonderful story. The characters in this are unlike any other and the book contains many twists always making you not want to put it down.

Gracias a Dios por Bodega Dreams

this book was tremendo! from beginning to end, the story line kept me hooked. its like The Great Gatsby goes to el Bronx. everyone should read it. honestly. lo va a encantar!

Bodega Dreams = The American Dream

Bodega Dreams enlightens and entertains the reader with experiences of what life is like in El Barrio. The dialect used in the novel gives it the authentic salsa-flavoring it merits. I hope Ernesto Quinonez continues to write more about the 'not so' originally spanish culture that most know little about,yet, so many wish to fully understand. All that was missing was some neighbor woman walking her chihuahua to the tone of Ruben Blades' song, Pedro Navaja: 'La vida te da sorpresas, sorpresas te da la vida. Wonderfully written; a must read by all.

Catches ur undivided attention

This book is too good that my words wont be able to describe it properly. Ima just tell yall like this...I hate books dont like to read but when I had to read this for a class report I was glad I read it cuz i finished literally in 2-3 days thas how butta it was and ironic too.

Bodega Dreams a great read

Harsh language and violence. This may be how someone would describe the book Bodega Dreams if they had failed to get over the potentially offensive material meant to create a mood and background and ignored the true message featured in the book. Bodega Dreams is not about selling drugs, street alliances, or even life in Spanish Harlem. It's about dreams, the true American dream, to live in comfort and happiness, no matter where one happens to live in this nation. Set in the heart of Spanish Harlem during the eighties, the story stars Chino, a young man trying to make his way in the neighborhood without involvement in illegal street gangs. Alongside Chino are his Pentecostal wife, Blanca, and his childhood friend Sapo. Sapo is involved in drug dealings in el Barrio, through which he meets Willie Bodega, the neighborhood¿s major drug lord with big plans and dreams. One evening, at Bodega¿s request, Sapo brings Chino to an apartment where Bodega invites him to be apart of Bodega¿s plans to improve the neighborhood. From that point drama surrounding Bodega and all his activities unfolds as chino is taken on a wild ride through underground Spanish Harlem. The novel, although fairly simple and one dimensional, proves for extremely enjoyable reading with unpredictable twists and turns. Peppered thorough out the story are enhancing Spanish and profane words, giving the book a sense of validity that would have been lost without use of such words. Overall, I thought the book to be very interesting with an ending so unseen, I was put into shock. Bodega Dreams is an excellent book and a great personal read.

Great Vivid details

the most interesting book I have read in a long time. great details and funny

Its the best book its worth reading .

This book has been the best book this year so far that i read its worth reading because if u grow up in the geto u can relate to the book. also if u are latin its the best book to read because the author use's alot of spanish words that will make u enjoy the book and laugh. 'ERNESTO IF YOU READ THIS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK'.!

I APPPROVED THIS BOOK FOR MY HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH DEPT.

As the administrator in charge of secondary English for my school district, a new teacher asked me to approve -- and purchase -- copies of Bodega Dreams for his 11th grade classes. Despite some heat I got from another administrator, I think agreeing to both his requests is one of the best decisions I've made since taking this job! I didn't read just the two chapters I planned (i.e., to get a sense of the novel's appropriateness for high school students); I read the book from cover to cover, starting in my office and ending over dinner!

A GOOD BOOK!

I read this book during the summer and I felt that this book was one of the best books I ever read. The book is both realistic and suspenseful.

GOT TO READ IT

THIS IS A GREAT STORY. I LOVED READING THIS BOOK, ITS A GREAT BOOK. THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD THAT I READ IT IN A FEW DAYS.I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN. I COULD READ IT AGAIN.

To all Puerto Ricans this book rules

This is one of the best books that I have read this summer. It is sad at time and funny too. I couldn't put the book down. I really enjoyed reading Bodega Dreams and so will you. A must read book. I highly recommend this book. I am also looking to reading more of Ernesto Quinones's books.