⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ½ — 3.5 Stars
Building the Panama Canal was one of the greatest engineering achievements in history, but at what cost? In The Great Divide, Cristina Henríquez takes readers back to 1907, when thousands of laborers faced grueling conditions, tropical diseases, and racial discrimination to make the impossible possible.
The story follows a diverse cast of characters, including Omar, a young Panamanian laborer; Ada, a determined teenager from Barbados hoping to save her ailing sister; and Francisco, a fisherman who resents the foreign powers transforming his homeland.
Henríquez creates a wonderful sense of place. Her atmospheric descriptions bring Panama to life, and I found the historical details fascinating. I had no idea how much political turmoil, exploitation, and human suffering accompanied the canal’s construction.
Unfortunately, the novel moved a bit too slowly for my taste. While Henríquez has a talent for characterization, I thought she introduced too many characters and subplots. I sometimes struggled to keep everyone straight, and several characters never felt fully developed.
Despite its shortcomings, The Great Divide offers an eye-opening look at the forgotten people behind an extraordinary achievement. I’m glad I read it!
** Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for a complimentary review copy. Opinions are my own.