Great Divide, the \ Entre DOS Aguas (Spanish Edition) - by Cristina Henriquez (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

UNO DE LOS MEJORES LIBROS DE 2024 SEGÚN LA REVISTA TIME

De la aclamada autora de El libro de los americanos desconocidos, Cristina Henríquez, llega una extraordinaria novela histórica sobre la construcción del canal de Panamá un hito que partió en dos la historia del continente y las vidas de quienes lo hicieron posible.

Corre 1907 y se dice que el Canal de Panamá será la mayor obra de ingeniería que el mundo haya visto. Entre locales y foráneos bulle el entusiasmo, pero también la incertidumbre. Partir un continente en dos no será tarea fácil, y nadie puede anticipar las consecuencias para el país y para su gente.

Entre dos aguas reimagina esta hazaña desde una nueva perspectiva: la de quienes lo sacrificaron todo por el Canal. Francisco, un pescador veterano que se opone a la construcción; su hijo Omar, que trabaja en ella en condiciones inhumanas; Ada Bunting, una intrépida joven que llega de Barbados en busca de oportunidades; John Oswald, un científico que combate la malaria, y su esposa Marian, son algunos de los personajes que se reúnen aquí para contar su propia versión de este relato. Una compleja y llena de matices, que no suele aparecer en los libros de historia.

------

ONE OF TIME'S MUST-READ BOOKS OF 2024

An epic novel about the construction of the Panama Canal, casting light on the unsung people who lived, loved, and labored there, by Cristina Henríquez, acclaimed author of The Book of Unknown Americans

It's 1907, and it's said that the Panama Canal will be the greatest engineering feat the world has ever seen. Enthusiasm is running high among locals and foreigners alike, but so is uncertainty. Cutting a continent in two won't be easy, and no one can anticipate the consequences for the country and its people.

The Great Divide reimagines this feat from a new POV: that of those who sacrificed everything for the Canal. Francisco, a veteran fisherman who opposes the construction; his son Omar, who works on it under inhumane conditions; Ada Bunting, a fearless young woman from Barbados in search of opportunities; John Oswald, a scientist fighting malaria, and his wife Marian, are some of the characters who gather here to tell their own version of this story. A complex and nuanced one, often left out of the history books.

Review Quotes

"Against the backdrop of the construction of the Panama Canal, Cristina Henriquez's commanding and fearless prose conducts us through the very depth of the Panamanian jungle, where young Ada and Omar fight bravely-- for themselves, their families, and their communities' survival-- in a rapidly changing world. Violent empire and volatile sickness combine for harrowing effect in this vivid novel that interrogates all that is sacrificed in the name of progress. By turns macabre and also truly joyful, The Great Divide left me with a powerful ache for forgotten histories that will not soon leave me." -- Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Olga Dies Dreaming

"A gorgeous, sweeping epic that draws together a truly unforgettable cast of characters. I loved it." -- Ann Napolitano, author of Hello Beautiful