Overall, I enjoyed this book.

There was a wide cast of characters, and it was excited to see how they all interacted with each other. That being said, there were too many characters. I feel like it took half the book to meet them all before we saw them overlap.

I wish there was more plot propelling this book, rather than character relationships driving the story. It read like a "slice of life" story except of course set during the building of the Panama Canal.

I’ve read a lot of historical fiction and this felt a bit different from the rest as it weaved together many stories and cultures colliding in Panama at the turn of the century when the Panama Canal was built. It was beautifully written and engaging and highlighted several of the challenges of the times - racism, poverty, the spread of disease, and how the country was divided over one of the biggest industrial feats of all times. A very worthwhile and enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel. This is well-researched historical fiction about the building of the Panama Canal. The story is told from the point of view of several characters, all with very different roles in the building of the canal and very different backstories. This structure made the novel feel more like nonfiction. Because there were so many points of view, there was less characterization and more description of
logistics and the community that was built around the canal. I found it to be dry but others will prefer this type of novel.

The Great Divide is the story of several local people from South America who, at desperate times, jumped at the opportunity of the building of the Panama canal to better their lives. The isthmus only made them realize who they really were, home was where the heart was, family comes first, and money doesn't bring happiness.

It was a good story, I particularly enjoyed the historical facts I learned around the building of the canal and what things led to the desire to build one. It was also quite interesting to read how, as usual, it's the government that screws their own, empires do whatever they want, no matter how many people not-their-own suffer the consequences of their decisions, and how history keeps repeating itself.

It was so heartbreaking to follow those characters who trying to better their lives, to support their family, to no avail. It was a sad book, but it ended with a lot of hope. The ending was a big sight of relief.

I am only giving it 3 stars because I did not feel invested at any moment, the characters were well written but I did not get attached to any of them (my favorite onr was Marianne Oswald though, and I was disappointed by the turn of events).

There were also too many storylines. If only we would have focused on 2 storylines and dig deeper (no pun.intended lol), I might have enjoyed it more.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

Incredible book about the construction of the Panama Canal. Sometimes, when I read books with huge casts, I don't feel connected to any of the characters, but that wasn't the case with the Great Divide. I was hooked from page one and loved getting to hear so many different perspectives. I highly recommend this to fans of Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and The Great Reclamation by Rachel Heng.

Beautifully written historical fiction novel of intersecting lives of people set at the time of the building of the Panama cancel. Writing was luscious. Many of the characters were interesting. Beautiful descriptions of time, place, and culture.

I was happy to read a new title by Cristina Henriquez whose Book of Unknown Americans I have read and purchased multiple times to ensure that others read it. I was not disappointed. I was instantly drawn into the story of the building of the Panama Canal as experienced through the narratives of several different characters. As in The Book of Unknown Americans, Henriquez shows great skill in bringing together disparate story lines and demonstrating how those characters are part of a unique community. I will admit that this didn't pack the same emotional punch as I had hoped for, but it brought down to human scale a project and a period of history that I know little about.

This was a slow start and so many characters to keep track of but in the end it all comes together and the connections are made. This is a lovely story of people whose lives were impacted by the building of the Panama Canal.

Set in Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal, which will ultimately divide the country, this historical fiction novel follows several characters, each of whom has a divide in his or her own life.

Christina Henriquez created characters that won my heart. They were distinctly individual. Through them I saw the beauty of pre-canal Panama and their simple way of life. I loved their stories.

Thank you, Ecco and Net Galley for sharing the advanced copy of this book.

The Great Divide was an incredibly moving story. I knew very little about the tensions in Panama while the canal was being dug, and now I feel it is important to learn more. Learning about Panama through the eyes of multiple characters coming from different places and situations, and almost all of them suffering as a result of the canal being built, gave me a powerful emotional connection to the story. As a white American, I think it is vital to hear from the people and the descendants of people who were so brutally affected by U.S. colonialism and expansionism.

I won't even dare to try and determine which storyline was my favorite as all were so moving! Omar and his father, Ada and her mother and sister, Marian, they all touched my heart! And I loved how their lives intersected. It wasn't a perfect culmination where at the end they all found out they knew each other and fell in love and they lived happily ever after. It was the reality of sometimes a person is in your life for fleeting, but meaningful moments. I really enjoyed this book, and would absolutely read more of Henriquez's work, she is a beautiful storyteller.

What a surprising breath of fresh air. Billed as a story about the digging of the Panama Canal, this is truly about family, friendship, and what we will do to overcome adversity. The first book I couldn't put down this year. Loved all the characters.

This is a beautiful historical fiction that is pitched as a book about the building of the Panama Canal but once you get into it, this book is so much more. We delve deep into the world of Panama and Barbados and intimately get to know the people who live there and were impacted by the canal's construction. The lives of the characters we follow are beautifully entwined so that each person touches another's life in some impactful way.

I found this book to be compulsively readable and finished it in two sittings. The characters are dynamic and flawed yet each of them had a profound affect on the others.

Highly recommend to historical fiction lovers!

This a story that intertwines several character during the building of the Panama Canal. I haven't read about this historical event so that was interesting. There were a LOT of characters and the story switched between them often. Take notes on each one because eventually all of their lives come together and it makes more sense. The author did a great job of intertwining everything together for a wonderful conclusion!

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Various characters are impacted by the creation of the Panama Canal aka American Imperialism.
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This historical fiction is layered, insightful, and well worth the read. It primarily takes place in Panama (but also Barbados and the U.S.) and follows various people living in Panama and affected by the creation of the Panama Canal. It reminds me of Augustown or Station Eleven in which various storylines connect in alarming and/or enchanting ways. Though not everything feels wholly relevant, the story keeps a nice pace.

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Having multiple characters and multiple storylines doesn’t always work, but I found this one to be successful. Henríquez is quick to show how impactful the canal was to so many people, weaving the stories of a diverse group of people - dark skinned and light, Panamanian and Barbadian and American, men and women, younger and older.
I particularly liked the web of Lucille, Ada, Millicent, and Henry, with Ada being one of my favorites to follow from beginning to end. I also enjoyed Francisco and Omar and how they differed and were foils for each other.

Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Interconnecting all of these narratives can be a tough feat, and it is not necessarily done perfectly. However, it successfully creates a final product most will enjoy. Both harrowing and hopeful, this book is like the Goldilocks of lit fic: not too serious nor light, not too simple nor elaborate, not too figurative nor literal. It’s a perfect balance to a near perfect book.
Specifically, I like her ways of listing things and going into intricate detail. Also, literary novels are often either overly dry or overly flowery (making it hard to fully engage, and I’m left in awe but not necessarily enamored), but this book manages to impeccably straddle the thin line of both refined and captivating.


Recommended to anyone seeking a beautifully-written historical fiction.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 is a beautifully written, elegantly descriptive novel about those living on the isthmus of Panama during the construction of the canal. The book delves into the backgrounds and inner workings of a variety of people—townspeople, local and foreign laborers, domestic workers, medical personnel, and their families. The narrative frequently moves among various points of view until eventually individual storylines start to come together. Be aware that this is a very character-driven story and much of the action either happens in the past or internally. I admit the slow pace and subdued plot lost me at times, but overall I found this to be a finely crafted novel exploring human divides like race, class, gender, and culture. Thank you to Ecco and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez had the potential to be an unforgettable historical fiction. Set in Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal, The Great Divide follows a variety of unrelated characters as they navigate through a life impacted by the Canal. Unfortunately, the story fell short in tying these characters’ lives together to form a cohesive ending to a rather dull (nonexistent) plot. I had so much hope for this book but was greatly underwhelmed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ecco for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

Historical fiction being my favorite genre, I did not want to miss this novel that takes place in Panama during the building of the canal. Cristina Henriquez is not only a brilliant storyteller, but has created characters who are likable and human. She’s woven together the lives of these characters who are fishermen, doctors, the young and the old, the brave and compassionate, in a way that kept me eagerly turning pages, with an ending that is, while undesired, uniquely satisfying!

"The Great Divide" by Cristina Henríquez unfolds against one of the most significant engineering triumphs of the twentieth century—the construction of the Panama Canal. Henríquez skillfully utilizes this monumental undertaking as a canvas to explore the complexities of colonization. Within this narrative tapestry, some characters assume the roles of colonizers, while others bear the weight of being colonized. What makes Henríquez's storytelling exceptional is her ability to infuse each character with emotional depth, thus humanizing the intricate dynamics of nationhood and colonization.

The narratives seamlessly weave together, creating a rich and nuanced portrayal of the individuals involved in this transformative historical moment. Henríquez's characters are incredibly well-crafted, displaying a depth that adds layers to the exploration of the consequences of colonization. As the stories unfold, readers gain a profound appreciation for those who viewed the canal as a symbol of hope and progress and perceived it as a lasting legacy of colonization.

While the novel excels in capturing the myriad perspectives surrounding the Panama Canal, a notable criticism arises in the book's last quarter, where the pacing feels rushed. The stories of the characters from Panama, which held such nuanced depth throughout most of the narrative, risk becoming one-dimensional due to the hurried conclusion. The abrupt ending, while frustrating, is partially mitigated by an insightful epilogue that answers some lingering questions. However, the rushed conclusion remains a detracting element in an otherwise masterfully crafted novel.

Henríquez's prose, characterized by its lyrical beauty and vividly drawn characters, ensures that "The Great Divide" will captivate readers who appreciate a compelling story and those with a penchant for historical fiction. Despite the rushed conclusion, the novel remains a testament to Henríquez's ability to navigate complex themes and deliver a poignant exploration of the enduring legacies of colonization.

Thank you to Ecco and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I opted to read this book when I found out that it took place during the construction of the Panama Canal, a crossing I experienced on a recent cruise. The writing was well done, the characters were interesting...but there was no cohesive plot really. Everyone seemed to have their own storyline ( and there were lots of them!), but their relation to one another was irrelevant. Had they all been woven together, this book would have been more enjoyable to me. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Most books about the building of the Panama canal are written from the perspective of those in power. This historical fiction is unique in that it is written through the lens of those impacted by the building of the canal. It is a character-driven story, primarily focused on the struggles and personal growth of those living and working within the canal zone.
Keeping track of all the characters was difficult to do at times. I would have enjoyed this book more with less of the characters background knowledge prior to their involvement with the canal.

Thank you NetGalley and Ecco for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.