I absolutely devoured this propulsive but intimate look at the lives of people in Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal in 1907. There are so many characters, including native Panamanians, Caribbean immigrants, the American upper class, and even a brief mention of Black Americans who tried to escape racism in Panama only to find it there too.

The U.S., as Henriquez deftly illustrates, essentially developed the state of Panama as a pet project that enabled them to build the canal that France had tried and failed to construct years prior. This included supporting their independence from Colombia, paying the government a lump sum, and then constructing what in practice seemed to be colonial towns to support the canal industry. It's frustrating to see how little has changed, as the Americans living there, even those working at a newspaper, didn't bother to learn Spanish.

The conditions of the actual construction were backbreaking, and while the workers were ostensibly paid, it was certainly not a fair wage for the type of work they were doing or the conditions in which they did it.

While there are a lot of characters, they interact and intersect a lot, so I didn't have trouble keeping track of who was who. I really enjoyed the glimpses into the future we get, such as saying a horrible jerk of a doctor would return to France and die in WWI, or that a kind, honest young man would end up building generational wealth for his family.

I felt tense towards the end of this book, and it felt like things were ramping up to a terrible tragedy, but it ended in such a gentle and optimistic way, despite the circumstances of history taking place.

Truly wonderful character building, and a wonderful example of what historical fiction can do. Cannot recommend this one enough.

I liked this so well, I read in two formats. . .and am putting this on my re-read list, because I think there is more here than one can get in initial readings. A good ponder needs to be put on it, like warmth and a good quilt benefits that which it covers (which brings to mind Millicent and her wonderful snapping quilt in this book).

Building the Panama Canal involved 2 continents, a number of nations, centuries, unnumbered ideas, and then all the bodies that lived, bred, died, experienced that joy of life we all claim as humans - all those who had the unfortunate address before, that would become the parts and pieces of what was the Panama Canal after: a very BIG topic to take on. It is to our advantage that Ms. Henríquez took her pen to it, and the result is a bustling, well-researched, deftly-told tale. While arching narratives were necessary (after all, it is a canal being built over land and communities already long established, and cures for malaria being sought!) and took up pages to cover and educate a reader, she always comes back to her people, her characters and provides each a satisfactory way out or parting from their engaged readers.

This read is educative, wide-horizoned and broad-shouldered - you'll want to go see this earth-changing project, maybe get a Panama hat of your own (remember they come from Ecuador!), or at least pull up a map or two.

*A sincere thank you to Cristina Henriquez, Ecco, Harper Audio and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #TheGreatDivide #NetGalley

The only fictional account about the Panama Canal and its construction that I've ever read - about the natives, the immigrant labor force, the white Americans, all coming to a head. I loved the characters, and the novel is heavily laced with characterization, very little dialogue, a lot of exposition. Henriquez's writing slides by, with such smoothness and wit, even when no action is really taking place. Depicts many complicated relationships and the way humans fall short.

The Great Divide is a series of interconnected stories that, put together, paint quite a picture of what life was like for the many affected by the construction of the Panama Canal. A work of historical fiction, it was able to bring me a closer view into this period I’m history than I’ve ever had, and provided a stark reminder of the many peoples throughout history who’ve been adversely affected by colonialism and “progress.”

So much of the history that we’re taught focuses on great human achievement, with little to no mention of the even greater costs. I appreciate stories like these that bring us closer and pull up the rug to show us all that’s been swept under it.

Robin Miles did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Cristina Henriquez, Ecco, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I've got my first 5-star novel of 2024!

The Great Divide is a refreshing and original contribution to historical fiction. This story is NOT about the engineering and construction accomplishments of building the Panama Canal. Instead, it focuses on the people and communities surrounding the canal site. Reading the book made me think about the ordinary people - locals and immigrants - whose lives were forever altered by this massive construction project. Like all good books, I'm still thinking about the messages conveyed.

The novel's characters are likable and have well-developed storylines and complicated family relationships. Each character's story eventually converges with the others and resolves with satisfying conclusions. There is a relatively large cast of characters, though, and I frequently searched names with my Kindle to remind myself who was who. Your choice of format may depend on how well you keep track of names. The sense of place is also well-written, and I felt transported to the Panamanian jungle.

If you enjoy historical fiction and are looking for stories that take you to new eras and places, you've found a match. I predict this book will likely be short-listed for historical fiction awards this year.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

I really love the writing style this author used. The storytelling method was very tapestry/mosaic like in nature and it was enjoyable to experience the wide range of perspectives during this time in history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of The Great Divide by Christine Heriquez. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this historical fiction about the building of the Panama Canal. It was well written and brought to life many different points of view about the building of the canal. It would have been a 5 star read, however, there were far too many characters to keep track of.

I do look forward to reading other book by Ms. Henriquez, as I enjoyed her writing style.

I had never read a book set in Panama, centered around the building of a Panama Canal so I was very excited to read. This book had everything I love- a diverse cast of characters, beautiful writing, character building, social commentary, etc. And while I enjoyed it overall, I feel that it had so much more potential. I so wish that this vast cast of characters had more overlap. I wish there was more dialogue. I wish the POV switching wasn't so sudden and jarring. I wish there was more focus on the canal itself. Again, despite these issues, I was invested in the book/audiobook, though I felt I was waiting for the shoe to drop and there to be more connection and it never happened.

This book is a gem! Beautiful with well crafted characters woven throughout. A story of journeys and life itself. Lovely book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Great book about the building of the Panama Canal. Cristina Henriquez weaves a story about the canal through several different lenses: Omar, a local teen who signs up to be a digger, Ada Bunting a teen from Barbados coming to make enough money to help her sick sister, John Oswald and his wife Marian who came to eradicate malaria, plus others.

“The Great Divide” by Christina Henriques is a story about a group of people who were deeply affected by the creation of the Panama Canal. The threads of their connection immerses us into their sacrifices, human tragedy's and resilience as we travel through the time of its construction. This historical fiction is beautifully written, deeply researched and will be enjoyed by anyone interested in the story of America’s impact during construction and the aftermath that lingers today.

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

An enjoyable, beautifully written historical fiction novel about the early settlers in Panama before the great canal was completed. The bravery, perseverance and challenges are highlighted in this book with interwoven tales in this wild, unsettled land.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for the opportunity to read this ARC.

What an epic novel. Cristina Henríquez is a brilliant writer and with "The Great Divide", she has surpassed all high expectations leading up to its publication. This book takes the construction of the Panama Canal as its backdrop but goes well beyond in scope. Henríquez shows us how behind the Canal's construction lies a multitude of stories of human drama, sacrifice, and resilience. She explores the lives and struggles of the people involved in the project, from the engineers to the workers who labored under harsh conditions, from the politicians to the people that were deeply affected by its construction. The book is a vivid portrayal of the personal stories and emotions that shaped the time and the region.

A fantastic, gorgeously written and sweeping novel of the lives of a large cast of characters in Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal. I was completely immersed in the story and the characters throughout the entire book. I absolutely loved it! I will be recommending this book to many book clubs. Thank you NetGalley and Ecco for the opportunity to read this egalley!

As panoramic epics go, this one is something of a curate’s egg - good in parts. Henriquez writes with feeling and heart for the country, the invasion of the Americans, the political shift represented by the canal. She introduces a welter of characters and sets them against a rich, well researched background. And yet there’s a slenderness to the storytelling and relationships. A predictability or a romanticism is at work that softens and dilutes the individual dilemmas of the characters. The book can even some static although some events do take place. The result is affection but not quite enough impact.

I was so excited to read this book! I had just come back from Panama and couldn't wait to dive in to this story. It did not disappointed! I think there will be a lot of buzz about this leading up to the release date!

5 stars

After listening to this fantastic audiobook for many enjoyable hours (nearly straight through), I am not divided at all in my opinion of this; it's gripping. Henriquez's _The Book of Unknown Americans_ made a real impact on me, and while I tried to moderate my expectations coming into this one, it wasn't necessary. While this is a different feeling book in every way, it's riveting for entirely different reasons.

Reading historical fiction that features characters, events, and locations that are new or only vaguely familiar to me is an absolute gift, and I really got that here. On top of the engaging historical setting and framing, the characters are easy to get invested in, which is important, because there are several to track. Strikingly, it's not the long-term plot lines that really makes them standout, but the small, intimate moments, thoughts, and interactions readers get to observe. There is so much humanity packed into an extremely ambitious big picture.

This is my second Henriquez book, and I continue to find her writing expansive and meaningful. I can't wait to read more of anything she produces.

This was a masterfully written book about a period in history that I think is often overlooked in fiction. That being said, it is clear that the book is well-researched and gives an accurate portrayal of the people and sentiments that surrounded the building of the Panama Canal.

The book does start off slow, and at first it seems that the amount of characters is overwhelming and I wasn’t looking forward to trying to keep track of all their stories. However, the author manages to tie all of their stories together seamlessly into one story that kept me eagerly turning the pages to find out what was next in their lives. I will definitely be purchasing this book for our library’s collection when it is published. Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Fascinating read learning about the building of thePanama Canal was so well written so involving.I like the combination of history seen through the characters eyes.So well written a truly epic novel .Will be recommending.#netgalley #ecco

Author Cristina Henríquez has a gift for taking a Big Important Topic and zooming in on the personal details that help illuminate it in a new way. Her latest book, "The Great Divide," is ostensibly about the creation of the Panama Canal, but really it's several interwoven stories of the men and women whose lives were upended by the huge undertaking in the early 1900s. We meet a young American doctor who aims to eradicate malaria in the canal zone, several young people who journey to Panama in hopes of making their fortunes and longtime residents of Panama whose way of life is threatened by the canal. Their stories, whether they end in death, heartbreak or hope, are full of humanity.