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A High Wind in Jamaica

A High Wind in Jamaica Paperback - 1994

by Hughes, Richard.


About this book

Richard Hughes’ A High Wind in Jamaica is the first of only three novels the author published in his lifetime. The novel tells the story of an English family, the Bas-Thorntons, living in late 19th century colonial Jamaica. When the “high wind” of a hurricane hits the island, Mr. and Mrs. Bas-Thornton decide to send their five children back to England ahead of their own return. From there, adventure ensues.

In following the experiences of the children almost exclusively, Hughes takes a highly original approach into the relationship of power between adults and children. Because of this, A High Wind in Jamaica has been referred to as one of the best book for adults about children. It is also ranked 71st on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century.

Summary

Richard Hughes's celebrated short novel is a masterpiece of concentrated narrative. Its dreamlike action begins among the decayed plantation houses and overwhelming natural abundance of late nineteenth-century Jamaica, before moving out onto the high seas, as Hughes tells the story of a group of children thrown upon the mercy of a crew of down-at-the-heel pirates. A tale of seduction and betrayal, of accommodation and manipulation, of weird humor and unforeseen violence, this classic of twentieth-century literature is above all an extraordinary reckoning with the secret reasons and otherworldly realities of childhood.

First line

ONE OF THE fruits of Emancipation in the West Indian islands is the number of the ruins, either attached to the houses that remain or within a stone's throw of them: ruined slaves' quarters, ruined sugar-grinding houses, ruined boiling houses; often ruined mansions that were too expensive to maintain.

First Edition Identification

Chatto and Windus first published A High Wind in Jamaica in late 1929. Bound in green cloth, the 283-page first editions contain no additional printings listed on the copyright page.

Details

  • Title A High Wind in Jamaica
  • Author Hughes, Richard.
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition New edition
  • Publisher Harpercollins, Great Britain
  • Date March 1994
  • ISBN 9780002713122
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A High Wind in Jamaica

by Hughes, Richard, HUGHES, Richard

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A High Wind In Jamaica

A High Wind In Jamaica

by Hughes, Richard

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A High Wind In Jamaica

by Hughes, Richard

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  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780002713122 / 0002713128
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This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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A High Wind In Jamaica

A High Wind In Jamaica

by Hughes, Richard

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Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780002713122 / 0002713128
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
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This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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NZ$18.20 shipping to USA
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A High Wind in Jamaica

by Richard Hughes

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  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780002713122 / 0002713128
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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