The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez

Thank you so much NetGalley, Harper Audio, and ECCO Books for the advanced copies and the chance to review it honestly.

Blurb:
The Great Divide explores the intersecting lives of activists, fishmongers, laborers, journalists, neighbors, doctors, and soothsayers… those rarely acknowledged by history even as they carved out its course.

My Review:
I really enjoyed this book and got through it quickly. At first I was nervous about all of the different characters and stories because it felt like a lot but the author really tied them all together seamlessly. I was fortunate enough to receive and experience this as an ARC and an ALC and I really enjoyed them both equally. I felt like the narrator did a fantastic job telling this story and keeping me engaged. This is a book I’ll want to revisit because I’m sure there’s so much more to take from this story that could have been missed the first time around. I ended up getting a copy in my BOTM box so I would be able to reread it in the future. Overall it was intriguing in a way I didn’t expect and you can see that the author did a lot of research that is much appreciated for those of us who aren’t as knowledgeable when it comes to the building of the Panama Canal. Oh!! And the cover is absolutely stunning! This book is going to be a hit for many readers and years to come.

Happy reading!

Rating: 4⭐
Diversity: a well diverse group of characters
Narration: 4⭐

Henríquez weaves several stories to reflect what life was like in Panama when the canal was being built. At first it was a little overwhelming with so many stories, the author does a great job of weaving all these individual characters' stories into each other, as we see these strangers touch each other's lives during the upheaval and opportunities that building the canal brings to Panama.

Vivid storytelling, and narration was great at creating each character as their own. It felt like a movie playing out in my mind. I could absolutely see this adapted to a movie. I highly recommend for anyone who loves historical fiction, rich stories, multiple POVs.

I loved that this book shed light on a historical topic that isn’t commonly written about. The Great Divide was informative and enjoyable. The sheer number of characters meant that none of them had very much depth. While the book captured many sides of the story, it was lacking the emotion that creates standout historical fiction for me. I’m glad that I read it and would recommend.

Thank You to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Great Divide was a pleasure to listen to. In this engrossing tale, we learn about how the lives of many characters changed because of the construction of the Panama Canal.

We have Ada who left Barbados in search of a job to be able to help pay for her sister’s operation. Then there is Francisco who is not keen about the construction of the Panama Canal. His son, Omar on the other hand is working to construct it. Theh we have John, who is seeking a cure for Malaria and his wife, Marian, who has fallen ill to it. There’s people who are for the construction of it and others who will be affected by it. It’s a tale of how this great engineering, themes of classism, racism, displacement, and divide.

The audiobook narration is engaging and easy to follow even with multiple characters and storylines. It was easy to get swept up and invested in these characters. I encourage everyone to pick this book up, especially if you love historical fiction.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @harperaudio for the ALC.
out 3/5/24 TheGreatDivide #NetGalley

THE GREAT DIVIDE review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🇵🇦I looooove a good historical fiction read, especially when it’s not war related (don’t get me wrong I love war themed historical fiction too). I’ve never read anything related to the Panama Canal so I was excited to find w historical fiction book set during that time. I went into this one with hiiiiigh expectations, and while I definitely enjoyed it didn’t really knock my socks off.

🇵🇦Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
The Panama Canal will revolutionize the way goods and people move about for the entire world, but first it must be built. A cast of characters have manyyyy different experiences with the construction of the canal. From locals protesting it being built on their property, to workers who are facing horrible working conditions, to the doctors tasked with treating the ill and injured workers. So many sides of the story are interwoven in THE GREAT DIVIDE.

🇵🇦There are soooooo many character and sideplots in this book. I kept hoping one storyline or character would emerge as the “main one,” but none ever did. It was overwhelming to keep up with everything happening at times. The stories all merge together eventually, but because it was constantly changing POVs I had a hard time feeling truly invested in any one storyline. I enjoyed this one overall and would definitely recommend it if you’re a fan of historical fiction! Also how perfect is this cover for spring?!

🇵🇦THE GREAT DIVIDE publishes Tuesday, March 5th. Thanks @harperaudio for my advanced copy!

"The Great Divide" by Christina Henriquez is a poignant exploration of the complexities of immigration and family dynamics. Henriquez's masterful storytelling skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives, offering readers a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. The characters are vividly drawn, and their struggles feel authentic and compelling. While the pacing may lag at points, the novel's powerful themes and thought-provoking commentary make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding the human side of immigration issues.

✨ Review ✨ The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez; Narrated by Robin Miles

Thanks to Ecco Books, Harper Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This is one of my favorite sorts of historical fiction books because:

1. It features a time and place I've never read historical fiction about -- the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 1900s

2. It has a few central VERY DIFFERENT characters that we come to fall in love with, including Ada, a teenager from Barbados who's come to Panama to find work so her sister can get surgery; Omar, a local working to dig the canal and his dad Francisco, a fisherman; and the Oswalds who've come from the Great Smoky Mountains to head up an anti-malaria campaign.

3. But then it spotlights the POVs and backstories of a cast of side characters including Ada's mom in Barbados, a doctor and overseer for the canal, the man who Francisco sells fish to and his wife who starts a fight to protect her family's village from the path of the canal, etc. etc. Some people will not like all of these "side-quest" style digressions but I thought it made such a rich narrative of what different people would have experienced in Panama at the time.

4. It has such a deep critique of colonialism in showing the ways that Americans and other foreigners literally dug up their country for American benefit. Some of the impacts included efforts to tame mosquito-borne illnesses (but often in invasive ways), dislocation of people and homes, literally digging up the land, creating a two-tiered system of labor and class circumstances (like was common in mining towns), setting up import taxes (and absurd imports like importing papayas even though they were already grown locally), the futility of Panamanian resistance, and so much more.

5. The historical research was stunning in creating a rich picture of life in this place and this time where tons of people of all sorts of backgrounds were coming together in this place.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins
Setting: approx. 1907 Panama and Barbados
Pub Date: March 5, 2024

“What he saw as he stared across that vast chasm was not simply a canal, but a great divide that would sever Panamá in two.”

Extraordinary blending of stories that come together in a historical fiction focused on the digging of the Panama Canal. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! This book is vibrant (with a gorgeous cover to match!)… it shows not just the physical GREAT DIVIDE of the country to accommodate this engineering wonder, but DIVISIONS of social class, race, language, thought, families, and relationships. The author does a brilliant job taking disparate stories and weaving them together. I loved the imagery, the characters, the connections, the humor. Fans of Backman’s Anxious People will appreciate the humanity and interconnections. BRILLIANT!

And if you get a chance to listen to the audiobook, you will be treated to the FANTASTIC narration of the great Robin Miles… she is a master of dialect and switches between different accents effortlessly!

“Six years later the spine of the mountains was severed at last.”

Arguably my favorite read of 2024 so far, The Great Divide falls within a genre that I usually find challenging: historical fiction. When reading historical fiction novels, I often find myself getting distracted by the factual elements in the stories (wanting to look up dates, events, settings, etc.), Cristina Henriquez adeptly weaves in important details about the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 1900s and its impact on surrounding communities, while primarily focusing on individual characters' narratives during this time. I was able to get totally swept up in the story while still learning enough about the context to understand what was going on. The cast is *vast* (I cannot emphasize this enough), and while I initially had to devote a lot of mental energy to keeping track of all the different stories, I also felt that each story was treated with such careful attention to detail that by the end of the book, I was truly invested in all of their stories, particularly the ways in which they overlapped.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy.

This story takes place in 1907 and is centered around the construction of the Panama Canal. It focuses on three families from three very different backgrounds. As the story progresses, the families will connect as they are all on their own journey looking for wealth and new opportunities as the Canal is being built.

There are many characters in this beautifully written story. Henríquez does a great job bringing these characters and the time period to life for us. You can feel the pride of the Panamanians as well as the frustration as the American’s try to displace them.

We are present while they discover the diseases of mosquitos, we learn about the lives of the fishermen, the devastating effects of the strong heat, heavy rain, mud, frogs, and bats. We also learn about the strength of the activists who do not want to be relocated, the day to day lives of everyone who came to Panama from all around the world, and the hard work of those who worked, dug and did various jobs for the canal.

This is not a fast-paced book, but I appreciated the slow pace and stimulating read. It is gripping and definitely transports you to another time. This is not a subject I had a lot of knowledge about, so I really enjoyed being transported to another place and time. My only complaint- the book just kind of ended. The canal was completed, but as far as everyone we followed for so long, there was a very anticlimactic ending to the story.

Thank you @NetGalley and @HarperAudio for an advanced audio copy of this book. This book publishes next week, 3/5/2024.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for the audiobook ARC of The Great Divide. This is a book that I had been anticipating for months to read. I'm a history teacher and this area and time period fascinates me.

The Great Divide takes place during the construction of the Panama Canal. It follows a cast of characters that either go and work on the canal, protest against the building of the canal, or deal with the effects the canal has on their towns and lives.

I want to start off by saying that this book is beautifully written. The descriptions are gorgeous and I loved how immersive it felt. Robin Miles is an excellent narrator and I enjoyed listening to her.

I really struggled with the amount of characters in this book. I think listening to this on audio made it especially hard because there was only one narrator. I had a hard time connecting story lines and realizing who was "speaking." I wonder if it would have been easier for me to follow if I'd have had a physical copy to follow along with.

I was so excited about the premise of the book, historical fiction about the building of the Panama Canal sounds like a story that would take me out of my usual setting and be fascinating, I was so excited. Unfortunately, I found myself having a hard time following the different characters. I really wanted to love this story but because I wasn't able to connect to the characters, it didn't hit the mark for me.

I loved The Book of Unknown Americans by this same author. Unfortunately this book didn't work as well for me, and I take responsibility that I may have had too high of expectations. This book had many characters and I found myself getting lost with so many different stories. I did love the title and how it represents more than just the Panama Canal that will "divide" Panama, but the divide between the different cultures and people in the country, especially at the time it was being built. Robin Miles is an amazing narrator for this audiobook!

Thank you Net Galley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This is not typically the kind of book I pick up, but thoroughly enjoyed it! This book is so beautifully written. I loved how all of the characters were introduced and learning how their stories were woven together. I learned a lot about the construction of the Panama Canal as well, and how it really affected the locals in Panama. I listened to this audiobook in 2 days, and found myself wanting to listen to it during every possible moment. I really liked the narrator and thought they did a terrific job distinguishing between all of the characters. I will definitely be picking up the other books by this author.

I thoroughly enjoyed the weaving of characters in and out of each others story lines, but it took me maybe 40% of the way through the audiobook to remember everyone and be invested in their outcomes. I found myself drawn to two of the characters more than the others, so it was a bit tedious to wait for their "turn" again.

I think this would be a great choice for readers who like historical fiction that feels more informational. I was inspired to look up more about this time in history.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

First, I do want to say that the quality of the audiobook is very good. It’s immersive without being overdone and it reads well both at original speed and at 2x speed (I typically use anywhere between 1.75x and 2.5x speed depending on the audiobook). I never had an issue understanding what was being said as I sped things up.

The storylines of this book are probably my biggest critique. I felt lost a lot of the time because though they’re related and in the same setting, the storylines were very loosely tied together. For a relatively long audiobook, this made it a bit hard to get into after taking a break. I think I could use a reread and maybe a physical copy, but I did enjoy and love the characters and story overall and I would recommend this to someone who has a strong historical fiction interest.

**Initial Reaction**: 7

**Characters:** 9

**Setting:** 9

**Plot:** 6

**Pace:** 7

**Style:** 8

**Ending:** 8

**Enjoyment:** 7

61 / 16 = 3.8125

Rounded Rating = 3.75

A Symphony of Voices
At first glance, "The Great Divide" might seem like a challenge to follow. Characters abound, each with their own stories, dreams, and struggles, narrated chapter by chapter from varying points of view. But fear not, dear reader, for Cristina Henriquez is a maestro, conducting a symphony of voices that blend into a harmonious narrative. How does she do it? Honestly, it feels like magic. The characters' lives intersect with such elegance and purpose that you can't help but marvel at Henriquez's storytelling prowess.

Setting the Stage
The backdrop of this tale is the construction of the Panama Canal—a monumental event in history that forever changed the face of global trade. Henriquez doesn't just tell you a story; she immerses you in the era, the ambitions, the controversies, and the human spirit. The differing perspectives on the canal's construction serve as a vivid canvas for exploring themes of progress, exploitation, and the clash of cultures. This isn't just historical fiction; it's historical fiction at its most immersive and enlightening.

The Magic of Narration
And then there's Robin Miles. Oh, where do I even start with Robin Miles? Her narration is nothing short of spellbinding. Each character is given a breath of life so authentic, you'd swear they're speaking directly to you. Miles' talent for capturing the essence of each personality and the emotional depth of their journeys is a rare find. It's one thing to read a story; it's another to have it performed in a way that feels like you're living it. Miles does just that, elevating "The Great Divide" from a great book to an unforgettable auditory experience. Then again, when doesn't her narration transport you!

As a lover of historical fiction, I was excited to read The Great Divide which follows the lives of several people from diverse backgrounds as they converge at The Panama Canal as it’s being carved in to the earth at the turn of the century. While the novel highlights many unique and authentic characters, it fails to have a united storyline. The prose is descriptive and enjoyable and Robin Miles does an excellent narration. However, there’s not a driving plot which makes for a tedious listening experience. The novel seems well researched so I would recommend it for someone interested in historical fiction from this period.

Historical fiction fans that love a character driven story are in for a treat! The Great Divide is told from multiple POVs but also in related pairs; mother and daughters, father and son, husband and wife. All of these people are affected by or are part of the construction and planning of the Panama Canal. This story was so well crafted because I was wrapped up in all the characters’ lives and the outcomes of their actions, but at the same time, almost in the background, is the politicking around building of the canal. The author holds nothing back when laying out the dangers during the construction, both physical and political. I think a wide variety of readers will enjoy this book, and the audio was well narrated. 4.25 stars

I had listened to another audiobook by this narrator and liked her previous work, so I decided to listen to The Great Divide. However, by 17% in I decided to give up. For reasons I can't fully explain, I wasn't enjoying the narration. The best I can say is that I felt like her narration was forced and not natural - perhaps the style of book wasn't as suited for her. I had listened to her before on "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo", which she did a great job narrating, but her role in that was present day, and this of course is historical fiction. The narration wasn't bad, but it just didn't catch me, and for me personally I felt like this would be a book better read than listened to.