Scan barcode
A review by isalime
Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñonez
4.0
(3.5 rating) Chino, born and raised in Spanish Harlem, is trying to make a better life for himself and his pregnant wife Blanca. However, Chino doesn't make the best decisions and life doesn't make it easy. Willie Bodega, a man with a dream for Spanish Harlem, asks Chino for a favor. Chino reluctantly agrees and sets off a chain of events that he can't get away from.
I enjoyed this Great Gatsbyesque story set in Spanish Harlem. Throughout the book, I kept thinking if the ends justify the means. Willie Bodega has street-smart idealism paired with Young Lord ideology that makes me want to root for his vision of what Spanish Harlem could be. He and Nazario want to build a better community - they want to fund college educations, build better housing in the neighborhood with subsidized rent, and preserve the community of Spanish Harlem. All he asks in return is the people's loyalty. Loyalty as currency is tricky. He's also funding the vision with criminal activities that hurt the community. At the end, I was left wondering what was it all for and if it really matters why Willie was doing this since it was resulting in some good.
I enjoyed this Great Gatsbyesque story set in Spanish Harlem. Throughout the book, I kept thinking if the ends justify the means. Willie Bodega has street-smart idealism paired with Young Lord ideology that makes me want to root for his vision of what Spanish Harlem could be. He and Nazario want to build a better community - they want to fund college educations, build better housing in the neighborhood with subsidized rent, and preserve the community of Spanish Harlem. All he asks in return is the people's loyalty. Loyalty as currency is tricky. He's also funding the vision with criminal activities that hurt the community. At the end, I was left wondering what was it all for and if it really matters why Willie was doing this since it was resulting in some good.