Bullen's Voyages: The Life of Frank T Bullen: Sailor, Whaler, Author

Frank Bullen was a popular literary figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his fictional whaling epic, "The Cruise of the Cachalot." This new biography reveals the real identities of his ships and distinguishes fact from fiction through his sea-going career. Bullen wrote over thirty books about the days of sail and the lives of merchant seafarers, and his books are a living witness to the courage and loyalty of the mercantile marine.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Frank Bullen emerged onto the national and international literary scene towards the end of the 19th century, dazzling the world with his brilliance for the first decade of the 20th century before gradually fading away. However, the memory of his extraordinary talent endures, much like his fictional masterpiece, "The Cruise of the Cachalot." This remarkable book remains in print in numerous editions, showcasing Bullen's enduring legacy.

Bullen's Voyages is a long-overdue tribute to this cherished memory, specifically focusing on his remarkable sea career, which is prominently featured in his writing. Of his youthful days, he reminisced about a brutal world where boys in Geordie colliers or East Coast fishing smacks were frequently subjected to extreme violence, leading to insanity or tragic deaths. The mere mention of their non-returning in the log was enough to account for their disappearance. A close examination of maritime records reveals that the bullying, two shipwrecks, and the tropical illnesses vividly described by Bullen occurred before he even reached fifteen. These were merely the beginning of a series of dramatic incidents that would accompany him on his voyages.

However, distinguishing truth from fiction in the case of Bullen is not always straightforward. At one level, "The Cruise of the Cachalot" can be considered fiction, and there are unanswered questions about his early life as a street Arab, as he once described himself. Yet, renowned author Rudyard Kipling praised "Cachalot" as immense and unparalleled, stating that he had never read anything that matched its realism and freshness in depicting sea scenes. Despite Bullen's discretion in not revealing the names of several of his ships, this new biography uncovers their true identities, while the author skillfully distinguishes between fact and fiction throughout his seafaring career.

Bullen, known for his prolific writing, left an indelible mark on the literary world with more than thirty books to his name. His maritime adventures and vivid storytelling have captivated readers for generations, making him a true master of the genre. In conclusion, Frank Bullen's impact on literature and the sea remains profound, with his brilliance shining through in "The Cruise of the Cachalot" and his voyages continuing to captivate audiences to this day. Through meticulous research and careful analysis, Bullen's legacy is brought to light, providing a deeper understanding of this remarkable author and his enduring contribution to the world of literature.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 240 x 161 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399074278