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A review by natchgreyes
A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes
5.0
Alright, I'm going to ignore the casual racism and comment on the content and writing itself. This is, perhaps, one of the most intriguing novels that I've read. It's almost as if the author had never read a novel before. Most novels, as you know, involve one great calamity. A volcanic explosion. A house fire. A murder. This novel, in contrast, includes an earthquake, a hurricane, a pirate raid/kidnapping, a death, a murder, an encounter with an alligator (and a host of other animals), and a trial all in about 200 pages. It's incredible.
What's more stunning, however, is the writing. I have no idea what the viewpoint is called. It's third-person omniscient, except that the narrator is occasionally first-person. It's weird and awesome and it works really well. E.g.,
"'Poor little thing,' said the mistress, 'I hope she will soon forget the terrible things she has been through. I think our girls will have an especially kind corner in their hears for her.'
In another room, Emily with the other new girls was making friends with the other pupils. Looking at that gentle, happy throng of clean innocent faces and soft graceful limbs, listening to the ceaseless, artless babble of chatter rising, perhaps God could have picked out from among them which was Emily: but I am sure that I could not."
I also greatly enjoyed the clever composition of words. The meanings often twisted as the viewpoint meandered, making this a delightful read.
I'm not sure why other commentators are describing this novel as similar (or dissimilar) to Lord of the Flies. Unless I'm very much mistaken, this isn't a children's novel. It is about children, but it's not for children. The closest novel that I can think of is The Violins of Saint-Jacques for the same meandering and calamity building upon calamity.
What's more stunning, however, is the writing. I have no idea what the viewpoint is called. It's third-person omniscient, except that the narrator is occasionally first-person. It's weird and awesome and it works really well. E.g.,
"'Poor little thing,' said the mistress, 'I hope she will soon forget the terrible things she has been through. I think our girls will have an especially kind corner in their hears for her.'
In another room, Emily with the other new girls was making friends with the other pupils. Looking at that gentle, happy throng of clean innocent faces and soft graceful limbs, listening to the ceaseless, artless babble of chatter rising, perhaps God could have picked out from among them which was Emily: but I am sure that I could not."
I also greatly enjoyed the clever composition of words. The meanings often twisted as the viewpoint meandered, making this a delightful read.
I'm not sure why other commentators are describing this novel as similar (or dissimilar) to Lord of the Flies. Unless I'm very much mistaken, this isn't a children's novel. It is about children, but it's not for children. The closest novel that I can think of is The Violins of Saint-Jacques for the same meandering and calamity building upon calamity.