A High Wind in Jamaica

About the Book

When the five Bas-Thornton children are sent on an ocean voyage from their Jamaican plantation to England, their ship is captured by pirates. Rather than portraying them as helpless victims, Richard Hughes delves into the complex psychological effects of their captivity, revealing them to be morally ambiguous and more than capable of violent actions. Still echoing through other modern classics, A High Wind in Jamaica spearheaded the thematic exploration of lost innocence and is often heralded as the literary predecessor to Lord of the Flies.

Book Synopsis

When the five Bas-Thornton children are sent on an ocean voyage from their Jamaican plantation to England, their ship is captured by pirates. Rather than portraying them as helpless victims, Richard Hughes delves into the complex psychological effects of their captivity, revealing them to be morally ambiguous and more than capable of violent actions. Still echoing through other modern classics, A High Wind in Jamaica spearheaded the thematic exploration of lost innocence and is often heralded as the literary predecessor to Lord of the Flies.