The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez is a historical novel that tells the intertwined lives of the workers who built the Panama Canal. Through multiple perspectives, Henríquez explores themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the lives of those whose labor constructed one of the wonders of modern engineering. The novel becomes a testament to how great projects are built on the backs of forgotten laborers.

WHY WE CHOSE IT: Because Henríquez gives voice to the invisible workers whose sweat and sacrifice built the Panama Canal. This novel reminds us that history is made by ordinary people, and that monuments to engineering are also monuments to human labor and suffering.

DETAILS: • Author: Cristina Henríquez • Publisher: HarperCollins Español • Format: Paperback