Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
In 1904, the United States signed a treaty with Panama for access to build and maintain a canal across the isthmus. For the next decade, American civil engineers designed and managed the construction of a massive system of locks and lakes spanning 51 miles connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The project required a workforce larger than the capabilities of the local economy and Panama saw an influx of both American and Caribbean workers who also brough their cultures and their prejudices. The project was meant to bring people and economies together, but the resulting caste-like system and Americans’ indifference to the plight of people displaced by the project created The Great Divide.
Christina Henriquez is best known for her 2014 release The Book of the Unknown Americans – she has a unique way of telling the stories of Central Americans who are typically overlooked in traditional American literature. Her latest release The Great Divide continues this tradition. The historical fiction novel follows the stories of native Panamanians and Caribbean transplants working for the Americans in the canal construction zone. Henriquez details the prejudice experienced by these workers and their families in a way that connects readers to their stories and brings this seldom-told history to life. This is a story about the bravery of the people who traveled to new countries with little to their names and the people who fought back when the government sold their land out from under them.
I give The Great Divide 4 out of 5 stars. This book taught me details about the canal construction not included in the history books. Henriquez writes with a style that educates and entertains at the same time. With that said, I felt that a few characters could have been better developed. Having several central and interconnected characters allowed the multiple histories and storylines to be told, but I had a hard time following some sections of the audiobook because quick shifts from one character to another. I appreciate that this novel ignores the typical white washing of 19th and 20th century events in American history.
This is a great book for historical fiction lovers and anyone looking to learn more about the history of the Panama Canal project. I would also recommend this book for readers interested in Central American culture. With the inclusion of light violence, death, and references to sexual relationships, I would direct this towards more mature audiences over 13. This would be a great accompaniment to a high school or college history course on the area or this timeframe – it would provide additional context not usually found in textbooks.
When I was offered the opportunity to review this book through NetGalley, I was immediately interested in this book. The beautiful cover art draws from indigenous cultures and provides a eye-drawing pop of color. In 2023, I became interested in Central American culture after attending a Latin American cookbook signing and reading another ARC from a Latina author. I realized I have a gap in knowledge of this geographic area and its culture. This book was a great way to learn more about the forces behind current cultural and political environments in the region!
The Great Divide will release March 5th – you can pre-order your copy today on our Bookshop.org page!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
- Current audio book: Stiltsville, Susanna Daniel
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
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