THE GREAT DIVIDE

A gorgeous sweeping epic ANN NAPOLITANO A master of prose WASHINGTON POST One of my favourite writers ROXANE GAY Spectacular JOANNE SEFTON I didn t want it to end SARA SHERIDAN A breathtaking historical novel following the incredible construction of the Panama Canal and casting light on the unsung people who lived and laboured in its shadow by acclaimed author Cristina Henríquez It is said that the Canal will be the greatest feat of engineering in history But first it must be built Ada Bunting a bold sixteen year old from Barbados arrives alone in Panama as a stowaway alongside thousands of other West Indians seeking work in the grand building project of the Canal Francisco a local fisherman resents the foreign nations clamouring for a slice of his country but nothing is more upsetting for him than his son Omar s decision to work as a digger For Omar whose upbringing was quiet and lonely this job offers a chance to finally find connection and independence Scientist John Oswald has come from further afield He has journeyed to Panama in pursuit of one goal eliminating malaria But everything hangs in the balance as his wife Marian falls ill herself When John witnesses an act of bravery and compassion from Ada one day he hires her on the spot