Personalize Your Library Experience

When you choose your preferred branches and age groups, the site will automatically filter the content to match your selections.

Select Your Branches

Select Your Age Groups

This information will be saved as a cookie, and cannot be connected to a library login or transferred between computers

icon of stars; highlighting that you can open the select favorite branch overlay Save & Close
Return to All Blog Posts
Back to Top

“The Great Divide” by Cristina Henriquez

About Blog Post Mar 26, 2024 by SCLSNJ Staff
“The Great Divide” by Cristina Henriquez Review by Amy Atzert, collection development librarian The draw for people to come to beautiful Panama and find work is where the story begins. You are introduced to the various cast of interesting characters in this historical drama. Some like Omar, a local, need and want work. His home life is lacking, and he desires relationships he does not have at home with his father. His father can’t believe Omar would consider helping with the project as he resents a foreign nation taking over land in his Panama. Ada whose sister is ill and needs surgery will stop at nothing to earn money to help. From her homeland Barbados, the trip is possible. She knows working on the actual canal will likely not be a possibility for a female but surely other work will be available for her. These two strangers have a chance encounter when Omar falls ill and collapses and Ada runs to his rescue demanding the onlookers help her get him to a hospital. The onlookers are afraid they might catch whatever illness Omar has. One bystander, John Oswald, a scientist in Panama hoping to eradicate malaria takes notice. He is so enthralled by this young girl's fearlessness and strength he offers her a job on the spot to care for his sickly wife. These are only three of many layered characters in this story. They include activists, fishermen, neighbors and laborers. Each with their own powerful narrative, many of which intertwine throughout the story. Henriquez deftly explores the characters in ways that won’t leave the reader wondering who they are– you know who they all are, their fears, hopes and greatest desires. The depiction of the actual physical work on the canal was right on target helping you to envision the dangerous and difficult work. The great divide not only describes the land being divided, but in so many ways the characters lives as well. I was asked recently if this would be a good choice for a book discussion. I say a resounding yes. A deep and engaging story worth the exploration. 
chat loading...