Super Short Summary

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez follows the intertwining lives of a group of Panamanians and outsiders during the construction of the Panama Canal, exploring themes of imperialism, racism, and resistance. Francisco, a local fisherman, and his son Omar, canal worker, struggle with opposing views. Ada, a Barbadian teenager, works in the Oswalds' conflicted household, while Valentina and Joaquín resist their village's relocation. The novel highlights the tension between colonizers and locals and the personal sacrifices entailed. The source text discusses racism, enslavement, and baby loss.