Call of the Open Sea

This is one of those stories that sounds so improbable that, were it fiction, we would think it unbelievable. But it's a true story. Michel Adrien’s autobiographical memoir chronicles his extraordinary journey from the war-torn countryside of rural France to becoming one of the wealthiest men in the nation. Leaving behind a life of poverty and wartime scarcity, Adrien embarked on a bold venture into West Africa, where he built a commercial fishing empire that played a pivotal role in the economic development of several post-colonial West African countries.

Extraordinary accomplishments punctuate Adrien’s life: from his triumph as a champion tuna fisherman and the first European to employ a mixed African-European crew, to his defiance of Russian economic threats and rallying of allies to safeguard his enterprises, to his ultimate act of generosity in gifting his Senegalese armament for the nation’s future prosperity. His journey is a testament to personal ambition, resilience, and a profound exploration of the moral complexities of navigating decolonization and the Cold War.

Translated by his grandson, this first memoir chronicling Michel’s life up to 1975 offers a rare, firsthand account of historical events from a unique perspective, providing valuable insights into the intersections of power, race, and humanity. Michel Adrien’s story is a poignant reminder that truth can be stranger than fiction, and his perspective is worthy of reflection.

Call of the Open Sea is a Winner of the Prix des Ecrivains de Vendee award, 2018.