A High Wind in Jamaica

Richard Hughes' A High Wind in Jamaica is a captivating and unsettling novel that subverts the traditional adventure story. First published in 1929, it follows a group of British children who, after a hurricane destroys their home in Jamaica, are sent back to England—only to be kidnapped by pirates along the way. Instead of a swashbuckling escapade, the novel explores the psychological resilience and moral ambiguity of children in extraordinary circumstances.

Hughes masterfully contrasts the innocence of childhood with the brutal and unpredictable world of adults. The children adapt to life aboard the pirate ship with eerie ease, often displaying an unsettling detachment from the violence around them. As the pirates struggle with their unexpected passengers, the story unfolds with dark humor and psychological depth.

Why read this book?

• A beautifully written and deeply original take on the adventure novel.

• Examines childhood psychology with unsettling realism and insight.

• Subverts expectations of pirate tales and coming-of-age stories.

• Raises moral questions about innocence, experience, and human nature.

• A literary classic praised by authors such as William Golding and John Updike.

About the Author

Richard Hughes (1900–1976) was a British writer known for his versatility across genres, from fiction to plays and poetry. A High Wind in Jamaica remains his most famous novel, regarded as a precursor to works like Lord of the Flies. Hughes was also a pioneering broadcaster and a member of the Welsh Academy.