A High Wind in Jamaica

“I read Richard Hughes’ A High Wind in Jamaica this year and felt breathless with shock and awe… Appallingly dark story… dreadfully funny.” —Independent
“A fascinating study in child psychology.”―New York Times
“Never once has he struck a false note.” —Vita Sackville-West

First published in 1929, ‘A High Wind in Jamaica’ is a haunting and unforgettable novel by British author Richard Hughes, known for his lyrical prose and psychological insight. Set in the 19th century, the story follows a group of English children living in colonial Jamaica who are sent back to England after a hurricane devastates their home. During their voyage, their ship is attacked by pirates, and the children are unintentionally taken aboard.
What begins as a seeming adventure quickly turns into a disturbing journey into the darker corners of childhood. Through the children’s innocent yet unsettling reactions to danger, violence, and death, Hughes blurs the boundaries between morality and naivety. His writing captures the wild unpredictability of youthful minds and challenges romanticized notions of childhood innocence.
Celebrated for its originality and psychological depth, ‘A High Wind in Jamaica’ was an immediate success upon release and has remained a classic of modern literature. With a tone that is both lyrical and disturbing, Hughes crafts a story that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping, influencing generations of writers after him.

Richard Hughes (1900–1976) was a distinguished British author and playwright known for his imaginative storytelling and literary innovation. Born in Weybridge, Surrey, Hughes was educated at Charterhouse School and later studied at Oriel College, Oxford. His early literary talent emerged during his university years, and he became involved in both poetry and drama.
Hughes's most celebrated work is A High Wind in Jamaica (1929), a novel that explores the eerie innocence of children amid piracy and violence. Its psychological depth and narrative style influenced modern literature and earned lasting acclaim. The novel was later adapted into a film in 1965. Hughes also made notable contributions to radio drama, writing A Comedy of Danger (1924), recognized as the first-ever radio play.
In his middle years, Hughes focused on a trilogy titled The Human Predicament, beginning with The Fox in the Attic (1961) and followed by The Wooden Shepherdess (1973). These historical novels offered a sweeping perspective on Europe between the World Wars, though the third installment remained unfinished at his death.
Hughes spent his later life in Wales, where he continued to write and reflect. He died in 1976, leaving behind a unique legacy of literary experimentation and enduring influence in 20th-century British literature.