I purchased this book for my own personal collection. I borrowed the audiobook from the library.
Publisher: Ecco / Harper Audio
Published: March 5, 2024
Summary:
An epic novel of 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.
My thoughts:
I love books like this because it sheds light on events in history that are not familiar to me. I have never read any books about the Panama Canal in depth and that is the reason I picked this one up.
This book really brought to life what it was like during the time the Panama Canal was being built. Telling the story through the point of view of a few characters, we get a very clear picture of what life was like during this time. While I was hoping for more on the construction itself, I did find the overall story to be quite interesting, especially the medical part about the mosquitoes and malaria and how some discoveries were made as a result.
The writing is quite descriptive and I loved that. There is a lyrical quality to the writing and being that this is the first book I’ve read by this author, I am definitely left wanting to read more by her.
Audio thoughts:
I thought this was great on audio. The narrator, Robin Miles, was able to effectively give each character their own unique voice and the accents seemed authentic.
Purchasing from the link below supports independent bookstores and my blog!
