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andrew_j_r's review against another edition
2.0
I read this as a result of a recommendation from a podcast, either a Radio 4 Books podcast or the Guardian one. I have to confess that it sounded quite fun, like a forerunner to what Enid Blyton did a couple of decades later, so I was suprised by a couple of things. Firstly, it was a lot darker than I thought it was going to be, and secondly none of the characters were remotely likeable so you didn't root for anyone. I am not saying this was a bad book, but it was not at all what I expected. I shall have to read it again at some point now that I have realistic expectations of it.
k101's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
gvandewalle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/10/28/review-2054-1929-club-a-high-wind-in-jamaica/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/10/28/review-2054-1929-club-a-high-wind-in-jamaica/
kathieboucher's review against another edition
5.0
All the stars! A great adventure; a great tragedy. This tale of children captive on a Caribbean pirate ship is written in an understated way that captures a child’s perception of strange events, but reads in a way that leaves no doubt about danger, horror, and its aftermath. A wow of a read.
scheu's review against another edition
3.0
This book could have been great, with the premise and the children and the stabbing and the humor, if only it had been written by someone else. As it stands, the book was written by the author, and it was not that great.
ajreader's review against another edition
3.0
Read my full thoughts on my blog.
"The key to High Wind lies in the infantile perspective. [The children's] innocence and self-absorption commands their worldview. Hughes does not tell the story directly from their viewpoint, thus allowing the reader some further understanding of the actual events taking place. Even still, the whole story is painted with their emotions and perceptions of people and events. Hughes spends significant time showing their emotional responses to the events surrounding them. This gives a simple adventure story an air of magic and childlike belief, couple with the darkness of losing one's innocence."
"The key to High Wind lies in the infantile perspective. [The children's] innocence and self-absorption commands their worldview. Hughes does not tell the story directly from their viewpoint, thus allowing the reader some further understanding of the actual events taking place. Even still, the whole story is painted with their emotions and perceptions of people and events. Hughes spends significant time showing their emotional responses to the events surrounding them. This gives a simple adventure story an air of magic and childlike belief, couple with the darkness of losing one's innocence."
dawnlizreads's review against another edition
2.0
This book is apparently now out of print (I had to buy my copy from an online second-hand bookshop; I was reading it for my book group) and it quickly becomes apparent why - it's really racist. Black people are referred to as "negroes" and are generally portrayed to be ignorant and childlike (with questionable morals). There's even one use of the "n" word. I know that this was written in less enlightened times (1929), but it makes for uncomfortable reading.
I am not sure if this is meant to be a children's book or an adult book that just happens to have children as the protagonists, but it certainly has dark themes. I'd certainly agree with the view that it's a precursor to Lord of the Flies (ie, what happens when usual social conventions are not enforced).
I am not sure if this is meant to be a children's book or an adult book that just happens to have children as the protagonists, but it certainly has dark themes. I'd certainly agree with the view that it's a precursor to Lord of the Flies (ie, what happens when usual social conventions are not enforced).