The Great Divide
The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez, published by HarperCollins Publishers on May 27, 2025, is a novel that delves into the construction of the Panama Canal, highlighting the lives of those who labored and loved in its shadow. This edition spans 336 pages and is presented in English. The narrative centers on Francisco, a local fisherman troubled by his son Omar’s decision to work in the excavation zone, and Ada Bunting, a determined stowaway from Barbados seeking employment to support her ailing sister. Their intertwined stories reveal the complexities of ambition and connection amidst a monumental engineering project.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of characters, including activists, laborers, and medical professionals, each contributing to the broader historical context of the canal’s construction. The Great Divide explores themes of family, friendship, and sacrifice, offering a poignant look at the unsung individuals who shaped history. Through the lens of personal struggles and relationships, the novel presents a vivid portrayal of domestic life and the challenges faced by those in the United States and beyond during this transformative period.
Official synopsis Publisher
A TODAY Show Read With Jenna Book Club Pick!
A powerful novel about the construction of the Panama Canal, casting light on the unsung people who lived, loved, and labored there
It is said that the canal will be the greatest feat of engineering in history. But first, it must be built. For Francisco, a local fisherman who resents the foreign powers clamoring for a slice of his country, nothing is more upsetting than the decision of his son, Omar, to work as a digger in the excavation zone. But for Omar, whose upbringing was quiet and lonely, this job offers a chance to finally find connection.
Ada Bunting is a bold sixteen-year-old from Barbados who arrives in Panama as a stowaway alongside thousands of other West Indians seeking work. Alone and with no resources, she is determined to find a job that will earn enough money for her ailing sister’s surgery. When she sees a young man–Omar–who has collapsed after a grueling shift, she is the only one who rushes to his aid.
John Oswald has dedicated his life to scientific research and has journeyed to Panama in single-minded pursuit of one goal: eliminating malaria. But now, his wife, Marian, has fallen ill herself, and when he witnesses Ada’s bravery and compassion, he hires her on the spot as a caregiver. This fateful decision sets in motion a sweeping tale of ambition, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Searing and empathetic, 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.
Named a Most Anticipated Book By: Washington Post * Book Riot * Electric Literature * LitHub * ELLE * The Millions * Goodreads * Reader’s Digest
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “The Great Divide” about?
Who is the author of “The Great Divide”?
When was “The Great Divide” published?
What is the ISBN for “The Great Divide”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
