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High Wind in Jamaica
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High Wind in Jamaica Unknown - 1972

by Richard Hughes


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 High Wind in Jamaica
  • Author Richard Hughes
  • Binding unknown
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher HarperCollins Publishers, New York
  • Date May 1972
  • ISBN 9780060830991
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A High Wind in Jamaica or The Innocent Voyage
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A High Wind in Jamaica or The Innocent Voyage

by Richard Hughes

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A High Wind in Jamaica or the Innocent Voyage

by Hughes, Richard

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Harper Perennial. Good. 1972. First Edition; First Printing. Paperback. 0060830999 . Book is in good, possibly unread condition and shows very minor edge wear. There is some dirt and a black mark on the cover. Please See Photographs; 1St Edition - 1st Printing; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 191 pages .
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High Wind in Jamaica

High Wind in Jamaica

by Hughes, Richard

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HarperCollins Publishers, 1972. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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High Wind in Jamaica

High Wind in Jamaica

by Hughes, Richard

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  • Paperback
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Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780060830991 / 0060830999
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HarperCollins Publishers, 1972. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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A High Wind in Jamaica or The Innocent Voyage
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A High Wind in Jamaica or The Innocent Voyage

by Richard Hughes

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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A High Wind in Jamaica
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A High Wind in Jamaica

by Hughes, Richard

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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A High Wind in Jamaica or The Innocent Voyage
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A High Wind in Jamaica or The Innocent Voyage

by Hughes, Richard

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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