A High Wind in Jamaica
279
Novel • Fiction
Caribbean • 19th century
1929
Adult
12-16 years
A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes follows Emily Bas-Thornton and her siblings, who are sent to England after a hurricane devastates their Jamaican plantation, only for their ship to be hijacked by pirates. The children adapt to life with their captors, forming bonds and grappling with their own morality and actions. Eventually, their ordeal leads to a trial that exposes the complexities of their experiences. Some individuals in the book endure traumatic events, including death, sexual advances, and violence.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Adventurous
Dark
Emotional
10,828 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Reviews of Richard Hughes's A High Wind in Jamaica celebrate its imaginative storytelling and unique perspective on childhood, highlighting its lyrical prose and the gripping tension between innocence and brutality. Critics note that the novel’s ambiguity and dark themes can be unsettling but commend Hughes for his psychological depth and narrative originality.
A reader who enjoys A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes would appreciate vivid storytelling set in exotic locales with moral ambiguity. Fans of William Golding's Lord of the Flies or J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan may find this novel compelling due to its exploration of innocence, adventure, and the darker aspects of children's nature.
10,828 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
A High Wind in Jamaica was notable for challenging societal views when it was published in 1929 due to its portrayal of children as having complex, often dark psychological makeups.
The book was initially published in the United States under a different title, The Innocent Voyage, signifying its focus on the children’s journey rather than the events in Jamaica.
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Richard Hughes' work in A High Wind in Jamaica is frequently cited as an early example of philosophical fiction in children’s literature, blending adventure with deeper existential themes.
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279
Novel • Fiction
Caribbean • 19th century
1929
Adult
12-16 years
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