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 narration of this audio version of The Great Divide is wonderful. I thought the narrator did a great job capturing the unique dialects of each of the many characters in the novel. The story itself was also great. I loved the multiple perspectives of Panama during the building of the canal. I got truly invested in all of their stories and loved it when I saw overlap of the different narratives.

The narration of this audio book was incredible.

This was a heart-wrenching story told through multiple people all connected by the construction of the Panama Canal. I am aware of the Panama Canal but don't know much about the actual history, so-while this is fiction-this definitely made me think about how the people who lived there were affected by this. That is one major aspect of this book I really enjoyed, but its only a piece of the puzzle.

The characters in this book were all so powerful. They dealt with racism, loss, difficult family relationships... There is a really heartbreaking father son relationship here that I felt very emotionally connected to. There is also a very strong convergence of different peoples all in this same place, creating major tensions, but also forging friendships and alliances.

I thought this was wonderful and would absolutely recommend it!

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. The narrator of the audiobook did a great job with all the varied characters and their accents. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I learned a lot about the building of the Panama Canal while I was listening to this book. It references the area so much that I found myself looking at a map a lot. I really enjoy when historical fiction has a great connection to real events. The influx of workers from different countries to help build the canal created some diverse stories to intermingle in this book. It also included local stories of the Panamanians who were displaced because of the canal. All different backgrounds and socioeconomic status' were included with attention to the details of what their lives could have been.

There were a few stories that fell flat in the end, I felt like maybe their stories could have had a better conclusion. Not that everything needs to be all tied up in a perfect bow at the end, but some of the characters could have had a much stronger conclusion to their story.

Overall I liked the book and would recommend it. I received an advanced audio book copy from NetGalley.

3 1/2 stars, rounded up for the sweeping nature and ambition of the novel. This historical novel is set during the construction of the Panama Canal, in the early years of the 20th century. It's told through a good number (8? 10?) of interlocking storylines among people connected to the project in one way or another: a construction worker, a family who will be displaced, a young woman who comes from Barbados seeking work, an American doctor who has come seeking a cure for malaria, and others. With such a broad array of characters, none is fully fleshed out, and scenes that should have been emotional fell kind of flat to me. The place and time were fascinating, though the book took quite a number of clunky pauses in the story to tell some of the history.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook, which was narrated by Robin Miles. Over about 18 months, I listened to so many books she narrated that I got tired of her and I kind of rolled my eyes when I heard it was her, but she did a great job with the different voices and accents.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins Publishing for an early copy of The Great Divide by Christina Henriquez

The Great Divide is set in Panama at the time of the building of the Panama Canal. The novel is much more of detailed character studies than a plot-driven chronicle of the United States vs. Panama. Conflicts abound including husband/wife, father/son and parted lovers.

Henriquez does include the actions of the local Panamanians in Gutan who must give up their homes in order for the Gutan Dam to be built for the Canal. It is at the time that the indigenous people must face this crisis that the story comes most alive. This also led to a Google search for pictures of the Gutan of long ago. Historical fiction at its best!

The author engages in a writing style that matches the emotions of the characters with the beauty but uncertainty of the setting.

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 Great Divide is a beautiful novel centered around the building of the Panama Canal. The story tells about the lives of several individuals whose lives are profoundly affected, both positively and negatively, by the pursuit of the construction of the canal—whether it be land, other people, or disease. Throughout the entire book, I loved how Cristina Henriquez would end each chapter with the introduction of a new character and how that person connected with the previous. It was a beautifully written story and one I won't soon forget. I can't wait to recommend this to everyone I come in contact with.

Thank you to #netgalley and #harpercollins for the ARC

What a beautifully written historical fiction novel! The characters were layered and well-written. I loved the various points of view from different backgrounds and life experiences. So much emotion and well-written with empathy and respect.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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, Harper Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

A slow and steady listen as you dive into the lives of several people whose lives have been intertwined with intensity. I love the essence of all the characters of how the culture of the Panama and their lives there are constantly changing and seeing lives through other eyes. Definitely more of a slow read but worth the time, a solid book club book.

This sweeping historical novel set against the backdrop of the building of the monumental Panama Canal was such a great read!

I loved how many characters there were- and how we got to hear their very different points of view. I enjoyed seeing how all their different backgrounds nationality, gender, class, race and age informed their lives and fates.

There were so many heart-rending scenes but Henriquez wrote them all with a deep empathy and respect for the characters and the larger story.

This is historical fiction at it's best- using the backdrop of real life events to remind people of the humanity (and many times inhumanity) of those who lived it.

The narration was wonderfully executed, with Robin Miles doing an excellent job of voicing the cast of characters.

The breadth and depth of the storylines would makes this a perfect pick for a bookclub.

If you like a book that is about little else except various characters and no real story, then you will be satisfied. I was intrigued to hear a novel set in the building of the Panama Canal. I did learn a few things, but overall was disappointed in the lack of a robust story. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review

Loved the narrator. She did such a great job with many characters. The story was so well written. I enjoyed this book so much. Can’t wait to have a physical copy to read again.

This book sounded interesting, but I have to admit that the beautiful cover was what made me actually click on it and I am thrilled that I did. When I started the audio and there were so many characters being set up I got a little worried that I wouldn't be able to keep them all straight, but I should not have worried. Henriquez did a magnificent job differentiating the characters and bringing them to life throughout this book. I loved Ada and Omar and the small snippets we got from Ada's mother and sister at home. I also loved that we found out what happened to each character, either in small ways throughout the book or at the end. I really enjoyed the narrator, but I did find myself bumping up the speed by 1/4 as it felt a little bit slow and that was a perfect speed. I have already recommended this book to anyone who will listen and cannot wait to get it in our library. A huge thank you to HarperAudio and NetGalley for the early listen in exchange for my honest opinion.

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

4+ stars

Great audiobook 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.

It's 1907 and the Panama Canal is being built. This gives opportunity to those who want to work on this major project, but it also an intense time as there's disagreements about the Panama Canal and there is a need to find a cure for malaria.

Francisco is a fisherman who has a rocky relationship with his son, Omar. Instead of Omar following in his father's footsteps, Omar decides to help build the Panama Canal. Not seeing eye to eye, Francisco and Omar's relationship is even more strained.

One day, Omar falls ill and a young girl from Barbados, named Ada, comes to help him out. With this quick rescue, John Oswald, a researcher, hires Ada to help aid his sick wife that has malaria. John Oswald has a lot of money, and Ada decides to accept this job as this job will help pay for the care her ailing sister needs back in Barbados.

Throughout this entire book, you learn about each of the characters. You learn that they come from all different backgrounds and cases, but they all struggle in life. It was interesting reading the different backgrounds and how they connect to each other within this book. You learn about the struggles Francisco, Omar, and Ada go through. While this was a very interesting book, I listened to it via audiobook, and there is so much details that this book would have been more appreciated if I read it rather than listening to it.

As nearly every review states, this book definitely has a lot of characters to keep track of. I think my recommendation of this book will depend on the type of pacing a reader prefers (needs to be slow), as well as their attention span (takes a lot of focus). I started listening to this book during a pretty busy time in my life, and that made it difficult for me to give the book the full focus that it neede, even though the audio was done really well, and the narrator has a very easy voice to listen to, even adding accents to certain characters who would have been speaking English as a second language. Nonetheless, I relistened to many portions because I just kept getting confused on who each character was and what their role was in the story. But I kept trying because really is well written, with tons of wonderful detail, and I didn’t want to miss anything. With the many developing stories (some that overlap and some that do not) and slow pacing, I was about 60% into the book before I fully grasped and was invested in all of the characters. After that I really kept thinking the characters were going to come together in a more climactic way, but that doesn’t happen. The ending was a bit of a let down, to have invested so much time in a story without really having anything happen. The building of the Panama Canal was such a pivotal point in history for people across many nations, with positive and negative effects, and although the story touches on many points of view during that time, it never really hones in on anything or shows conflict and/or resolution. Overall, it was a 3-star read for me, but I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-written, slow paced fictional book that gives a snapshot of a point in history. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fantastic. While there are a variety of characters to focus on, the narrator gives each a distinguishing tone. Historical fiction for people who are left wanting even more nuance after reading the likes of Kristin Hannah and Chris Bohjalian. While some of the set-up takes extra time, Henriquez effectively develops characters with depth, which will resonate with readers of historical and literary fiction.