A high wind in jamaica is a 1929 novel by the welsh writer richard hughes, which was made into a film of the same name in 1965. Jul 07, 2009 to say a high wind in jamaica is a novel about children who are abducted by pirates is to make it seem like a childrens book. Pdf a high wind in jamaica book by richard hughes free. The primary characters in richard hughess a high wind in jamaica are children, particular the basthornton childrenjohn, emily, edward, rachel, and laura. After a hurricane hits an english settlement in jamaica, two. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 279 pages and is available in paperback format. A quite extraordinary and unforgettable book ralph strauspublished to great acclaim in 1929, this classic tale of childhood was richard. High seas piracy and the complex psychological lives of children are brought together, quite strikingly, in richard hughess 1929 novel a high wind in jamaica. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers high quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes james reads books. It was written over a peculiarly anxious and difficult period of his life when he was in his. A high wind in jamaica was richard hughess first novel. A high wind in jamaica, by richard hughes, is the story of five british children, the basthorntons from jamaica, who are abducted by pirates.
The close call causes the basthorntons to send their children back to britain by merchant vessel. In 1870, a jamaican colonial family sends its children to britain for proper schooling but their ship is taken over by pirates who become fond of the kids. New edition of a classic adventure novel and one of the mos. The jacket blurbs for richard hughes a high wind in jamaica insist this book is a twentiethcentury classic. The main characters of this fiction, classics story are. The ship is visited by pirates and before you can say ahoy, matey, the. First titled the innocent voyage, it concerns a young girl named emily basthornton and her four siblings, john, edward, laura, and rachel, whose lives on a jamaican plantation are interrupted when a hurricane decimates their home. The high wind of the novels title is a hurricane that strikes jamaica and destroys the home of the basthorntons, an english family who, like many other britons of. I loved this book and have tried to push it on several people with no success so far. Sep, 2016 a high wind in jamaica was much more than i expected, and i expect it will be in contention for my list of favorite reads in 2011. Mar 18, 2005 i first read a high wind in jamaica in my early teens not much older than the oldest child in the novel.
Its dreamlike action begins among the decayed plantation houses and overwhelming natural abundance of late nineteenthcentury 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 downattheheel pirates. Dec 12, 2009 a high wind in jamaica spoilersdec 12, 2009. A high wind in jamaica is a 1965 deluxe color film, based on the richard hughes novel of the same name, and directed by alexander mackendrick for the 20th centuryfox studio. Wigton windfarm limited on wednesday august 16 launched its first endorsed book, understanding wind energy.
It stars anthony quinn, james coburn, deborah baxter, lila. A highly original and idiosyncratic writer, he wrote poems and plays as well as novels, but it is for these that he is best remembered, the most famous of which was his first, a high wind in jamaica, published in 1929. On the high seas of the caribbean, a family of english children is set loose sent by their parents from their home in jamaica to receive the civilising effects of. The high wind in jamaica was a hurricane that destroyed the already decaying basthornton property. It stars anthony quinn, james coburn, deborah baxter, lila kedrova, martin amis, dennis price and nigel davenport. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes goodreads. Its dreamlike action begins among the decayed plantation houses and overwhelming natural abundance of late nineteenthcentury jamaica, before moving out onto the high seas, as hughes tells the story of a. A high wind in jamaica actually stands in a category by itself, like most of the movies of the great director alexander mackendrick. Annes, john and emily should run out to meet him, and ride back with him, one perched on each of his stirrups.
A high wind in jamaica kindle edition by hughes, richard. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes it was the custom that, whenever mr. Several months later hughes renamed his novel in time for its british publication, and harper followed suit. A high wind in jamaica by hughes, richard abebooks. In 1998, a high wind in jamaica was included as number 71 in the modern librarys 100 best novels, a list of the best englishlanguage novels of the 20th century. A high wind in jamaica was much more than i expected, and i expect it will be in contention for my list of favorite reads in 2011. A high wind in jamaica is not so much a book as a curious object, like a piece of driftwood torqued into an alarming shape from years at. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes waterstones. On the high seas of the caribbean, a family of english children is set loose sent by their parents from their home in jamaica to receive the civilising effects of england. However, throughout the novel a high wind in jamaica, several situations prove that it is not enough to simply think about doing the right thing and hope for the best results. A high wind in jamaica is not so much a book as a curious object, like a piece of driftwood torqued into an alarming shape from years at sea.
This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of a high wind in jamaica by richard hughes. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes librarything. Find books like a high wind in jamaica from the worlds largest community of readers. That sunday evening they ran out as soon as they saw him coming, in spite. Youth repowering the future, at a function held at the petroleum corporation of jamaica, trafalgar road, in kingston. During one snowy day, i read the whole book in one gulp. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes book resume. Richard hughes was born in 1900 and educated at charterhouse school and oriel college, oxford. A high wind in jamaica spoilersdec 12, 2009 book chat.
The worlds of the children and the adults are sharply delineated. Buy a cheap copy of a high wind in jamaica book by richard hughes. This is the essence of captain jonsen of a high wind in jamaica. The unnamed narrator begins by describing the gothic ruins of postemancipation jamaica. The book is often given credit for influencing and paving the way for novels such as lord of the flies by william golding. Andrew sean greer, all things considered, npr a high wind in jamaica by richard hughes is like those books you used to read under the covers with a flashlight, only infinitely more delicious and macabre. A high wind in jamaica essay sample new york essays.
A high wind in jamaica vintage classics by hughes, richard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Analysis of a high wind in jamaica, by captain jonsen 723 words 3 pages. The first edition of the novel was published in 1928, and was written by richard hughes. In one of these homes lives the basthornton family. It stars anthony quinn and james coburn as the pirates who capture five children.
A high wind in jamaica 1965 a high wind in jamaica 1965. After a hurricane hits an english settlement in jamaica, two families decide to send their children back to england. But the psychological element richard hughes gives to the story adds a dark, brutal dimension that childrens books are often missing altogether or only skate briefly by. I agree that the lawyer is the worst character in the book and that is also why i think he is the most realistic. A high wind in jamaica by hannah and savannah duration. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes is like those books you used to read under the covers with a flashlight, only infinitely more delicious and macabre. A high wind in jamaica by richard hughes penguin books new. With anthony quinn, james coburn, dennis price, lila kedrova. To say a high wind in jamaica is a novel about children who are abducted by pirates is to make it seem like a childrens book. A high wind in jamaica is a 1929 novel by welsh author richard hughes.
The ship is visited by pirates and before you can say ahoy, matey, the children and the pirates are off on an adventure. Sep, 2014 a high wind in jamaica by hannah and savannah duration. The king of the ealing comedies the man in the white suit, the ladykillers and the maker of the most politically sophisticated 50s film noir sweet smell of success, mackendrick here mixes pirates with little. I first read a high wind in jamaica in my early teens not much older than the oldest child in the novel. This book looks ahead to william goldings lord of the flies in the way it suggests that the outward innocence of children may conceal a capacity for cruel and wicked acts. Richard hughess celebrated short novel is a masterpiece of concentrated narrative. A high wind in jamaica is like a childrens book written for adults. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide. I thought it was a wonderful book, full of excitement, fun and adventure.
On the surface, richard hughess a high wind in jamaica is a dottodot adventure tale. The children are living with their parents on a sugar. A high wind in jamaica is a 1929 novel by welsh author richard. I, too, wonder why anyone would compare the children in this book to lord of the flies which i remember in almost exactly the same way jill does. Other cast members include deborah baxter, nigel davenport, isabel dean, lila kedrova, kenneth j.
Highseas piracy and the complex psychological lives of children are brought together, quite strikingly, in richard hughess 1929 novel a high wind in jamaica. Book on wind energy launched jamaica information service. Its dreamlike action begins among the decayed plantation houses and. A highly original and idiosyncratic writer, he wrote poems and plays as well as novels, but it is for these that he is best remembered, the most famous of which was. Its dreamlike action begins among the decayed plantation.
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