The world in half
Panama

The world in half

by Cristina Henríquez

Identity & Belonging Contemporary Fiction Fiction 2010

Summary

The World in Half follows Miraflores, a young woman living in Chicago who discovers that the father she has never known may still be alive in Panama. Determined to uncover the truth about her family’s past, she travels to the country her mother left behind, hoping to understand her own identity and the circumstances surrounding her parents’ relationship. As she explores Panama, Miraflores encounters unfamiliar landscapes, complicated family histories, and unexpected connections that challenge her assumptions about where she belongs. Through her journey, Cristina Henríquez examines the immigrant experience, cultural belonging, and the ways family secrets shape personal identity. The novel explores the emotional distance between generations and the search for a place to call home.

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Country
Panama
North America
About the author
Cristina Henríquez
Cristina Henríquez

Cristina Henríquez is an American novelist and short-story writer of Panamanian heritage, known for exploring immigration, cultural identity, family, and the experiences of Latin American communities in the United States. Born in the United States to a Panamanian father, she spent time living in Panama during her childhood, an experience that shaped her interest in belonging and cultural connections. Her novels often examine the lives of people navigating different languages, traditions, and social expectations. Her best-known works include The Book of Unknown Americans (2014), which portrays a community of Latin American immigrants living in Delaware, and The Great Divide (2024), a historical novel set during the construction of the Panama Canal. Through compassionate, character-driven storytelling, Henríquez explores migration, displacement, love, and the complex relationships between individuals and the societies they inhabit.

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Details
Published
2010
Author
Cristina Henríquez