Bodega Dreams

The title character of the book, Willie Bodega is a man who has reinvented himself once and wants to do so again. A childhood on the streets of Spanish Harlem leads him to the Young Lords, a political activist group that seeks to affect social change when the government is unwilling to do so. During his time with the Young Lords, the group grows increasingly violent and Bodega loses the affection of Veronica (later, Vera), who doesn’t believe that he will ever have the vision improve his situation. Later, he reinvents himself as Willie Bodega, a slumlord with a heart of gold. Although much of his money comes from drug sales and bookmaking, Bodega is trying to gain legitimacy through his company, the Harry Goldstein Real Estate Agency. He has figured out that the way to gain the loyalty and respect of el barrio—he simply has to do them favors. If someone needs a place to stay, Bodega will arrange it. If someone needs a break on rent, Bodega will provide that. And when someone (like the journalist Alberto Salazar, in the pockets of Bodega’s rival Aaron Fischman) crosses him, he’s not afraid to resort to murder.