Northwestern Graduate Henriquez's Debut Novel

Cristina Henriquez's novel The World in Half reflects her life as the American-born child of Panamanians. The novel is set in Panama City and Hyde Park. The main character is a young student who abandons her studies at the University of Chicago to search for the Panamanian father who left her pregnant mother years before. Both the author and her character question where they belong. Henriquez has felt connected to both Panama and the United States, appreciating the cultures and customs of both countries. Holding a dual citizenship, Henriquez navigates comfortably in the 2 worlds. Henriquez wrote most of the novel at her Hinsdale home and the local library.