The Fabulist

Rod Howard

ISBN 10: 1741664640 / ISBN 13: 9781741664645

Published by Random House, 2006

About this Item

, . NB: This is a secondhand book in very good condition. See our FAQs for more information. Please note that the jacket image is indicative only.Author: Rod HowardFormat: Paperback Number of Pages: 304THE FABULIST tells one of Australian history's most extraordinary, entertaining and controversial stories - the life and times of adventurer, seer and explorer Louis de Rougemont. Louis burst into public consciousness in 1898 when he arrived in London, announcing that he was a French adventurer who had survived shipwreck and lived for nearly thirty years as the king of an Aboriginal tribe in remotest north-west Australia. Louis mesmerised audiences across Britain and Europe with tales of giant octopuses, pelicans who shared their meals with him, flying wombats, cannibal feasts, quasi-homeric quests and regular joy-rides on turtles. His tales won the endorsement of the most prestigious scientific associations of the day, but jealousy, then as now, was rife in the scientific community, and Louis's story - and identity - were soon called into question. Who was this intriguing man, and where had he really come from? And who was Henri Grin? Author Rod Howard skilfully recounts the mysterious Louis's meteoric rise to fame and the fierce battle sparked by the serial publication of his adventures in the pages of Britain's most popular magazine, The Wide World.

Seller Inventory # 9781741664645-SECONDHAND

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Fabulist
• Publisher: Random House
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1741664640
• ISBN 13: 9781741664645
• Binding: Secondhand, Paperback
• Book Type: Secondhand, Paperback

About this title

Synopsis

Gaunt, weather-worn Louis De Rougemont arrives in London in 1898 with a sensational story to tell. He declares he is a French adventurer who has survived shipwreck and lived for nearly thirty years as king of an Aboriginal tribe in remote north-west Australia. Audiences across Britain and around the world are mesmerised by revelations of fabulous creatures, cannibal feasts and near biblical feats. De Rougemont achieves instant celebrity and wins the endorsement of the leading scientific authorities of the day, but his stories - and identity are soon called into question. A fierce battle erupts in the press as newspaper editors desperately seek a scoop. Who is this intriguing man? Modern Crusoe or mythmaker? Castaway or crank? The world is divided by De Rougemont's remarkable tale.In the Fabulist, Rod Howard vividly recounts one of Australian history's most extraordinary, entertaining and controversial stories - the life of adventurer and seer Louis De Rougemont. (from the back cover)