A High Wind In Jamaica

[poliphilo]

A book about children, but not a children's book. Adults mainly forget what it feels like to be a child- perhaps because most of it is so embarrassing-  but Hughes remembered- and remembered unsparingly. Also it's beautifully written- the earthquake and the hurricane are fabulous- and there are pirates in it. 

I read it in half a day. I don't often do that.

Comments

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

I haven't read it for many years. Do you find it believable that they would simply ignore/forget John's existence ?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think they might.

When Ailz was a kid she went into hospital for something like nine months and during that time she was never discussed at home. One day her brother had a baby sister and next day he didn't- and it was never explained what had happened to her- and he didn't care to ask.

Then she came back.

[(Anonymous)]

That reminds me of a very different but just as odd incident in my childhood. I was about eight and my sister about 6, and she was in hospital for what was then called "a grumbling" appendix - this meant that she was under observation, but might not have surgery
When we got to the hospital, I wasn't allowed into the ward. No-one seemed to think it at all odd - least of all, me - that I was then sent off to walk the two miles home alone
This was in a provincial town, not in the country - I wonder why I wasn't sent home on the bus? Also, clearly, we never thought of locking up the house when we went out

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We lived in Croydon (which is almost London) when I was a kid and I walked everywhere- often on my own- but I never had an experience quite like that.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

Sorry - that was me.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I was pretty sure it was. :)

[sovay]

A book about children, but not a children's book.

I have meant to read it for some time now; I'll pick up the next copy I see.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'd been meaning to read it for ages. I'm glad I finally got round to it.