The novel was hailed as a “new immigration classic” when it was published in 2000.
Now, author Ernesto Quinonez reflects on how the industry has remained stuck in time for too long.
It’s been 20 years since Ernesto Quinonez released his highly praised debut novelBodega Dreams.
Credit: Scarlet Quiñonez
And then, other things in much deeper need of change have remained frustratingly stuck in time.
But what would Quinones' hero think about his neighborhood, now heavily gentrified, today?
“Willie Bodega would be heartbroken, and his dreams would be crushed,” Quinones tells EW.
Vintage
“He had a wonderful idea and it didnt even have a chance to grow.
Latinos who believe in upward mobility and not just being victims.
Yes, the man is real, and the man is out to get me.
No matter how the neighborhood has changed, Quinones remains dedicated to Spanish Harlem.
I visit the world in the sense that I go to Spanish Harlem ‘til this day.
Im part of the community,” Quinones says.
And about loving yourself and loving art.
In that way, I do visit the books world but not the characters, really.
Like every other artist, you want to do different things.
Im not Hollywood, I dont do sequels.
Thats just the way I am.
Quinones may not be Hollywood yet but he’s already dipping his toes into feature writing.
I’m writing the story," Quinones reveals.
“I’m collaborating with the screenplay writer.
Luis understands the story really well, he really loves it and is going to do a wonderful job.
He loved the idea of havingJLoplay Negra at first.
That was written by a white man in the first-person as if it was a Japanese woman.
And that’s what we have in publishing still today.
If you want to say that that is not systematic racism, I dont know what is.
Bodega may have been a fictional character, but a lot of his dreams are shared with his creator.
“When I see students readingBodega Dreams, it makes me happy,” Quinones says.
“Students come up to me and say, You know, I went to college because ofBodega Dreams.
I’m like, that’s it.
That’s my Pulitzer right there.
And it happens pretty often.
(He hates Marco Rubio.)
Sapo has moved from drug dealing to insider trading; he’s a white-collar criminal, now.
The book feels bigger than its namesake now, in fact.
