The Great Divide

In "The Great Divide," a powerful novel chosen by the TODAY Show's Read With Jenna Book Club, the construction of the Panama Canal unfolds through the lives of those often overlooked in history. Local fisherman Francisco grapples with his son Omar’s decision to work in the excavation zone, while Ada Bunting, a bold stowaway from Barbados, seeks employment to pay for her sister’s surgery. Their intersecting stories highlight themes of ambition, loyalty, and sacrifice amidst the backdrop of a monumental engineering feat, offering a poignant look at the diverse individuals who shaped this historical moment.