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The Seine: The River that Made Paris
Elaine Sciolino came to Paris as a young foreign correspondent and was seduced by a river. In The Seine, she tells the story of that river from its source on a remote plateau of Burgundy to the wide estuary where its waters meet the sea, and the cities, tributaries, islands, ports, and bridges in between.
Sciolino explores the Seine through its rich history and lively a bargewoman, a riverbank bookseller, a houseboat dweller, a famous cinematographer known for capturing the river’s light. She discovers the story of Sequana—the Gallo-Roman healing goddess who gave the Seine its name—and follows the river through Paris, where it determined the city’s destiny and now snakes through all aspects of daily life. She patrols with river police, rows with a restorer of antique boats, sips champagne at a vineyard along the river, and even dares to go for a swim. She finds the Seine in art, literature, music, and movies from Renoir and Les Misérables to Puccini and La La Land. Along the way, she reveals how the river that created Paris has touched her own life. A powerful afterword tells the dramatic story of how water from the depths of the Seine saved Notre-Dame from destruction during the devastating fire in April 2019.
A “storyteller at heart” (June Sawyers, Chicago Tribune) with a “sumptuous eye for detail” (Sinclair McKay, Daily Telegraph), Sciolino braids memoir, travelogue, and history through the Seine’s winding route. The Seine offers a love letter to Paris and the most romantic river in the world, and invites readers to explore its magic for themselves.
Sciolino explores the Seine through its rich history and lively a bargewoman, a riverbank bookseller, a houseboat dweller, a famous cinematographer known for capturing the river’s light. She discovers the story of Sequana—the Gallo-Roman healing goddess who gave the Seine its name—and follows the river through Paris, where it determined the city’s destiny and now snakes through all aspects of daily life. She patrols with river police, rows with a restorer of antique boats, sips champagne at a vineyard along the river, and even dares to go for a swim. She finds the Seine in art, literature, music, and movies from Renoir and Les Misérables to Puccini and La La Land. Along the way, she reveals how the river that created Paris has touched her own life. A powerful afterword tells the dramatic story of how water from the depths of the Seine saved Notre-Dame from destruction during the devastating fire in April 2019.
A “storyteller at heart” (June Sawyers, Chicago Tribune) with a “sumptuous eye for detail” (Sinclair McKay, Daily Telegraph), Sciolino braids memoir, travelogue, and history through the Seine’s winding route. The Seine offers a love letter to Paris and the most romantic river in the world, and invites readers to explore its magic for themselves.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2019
480 people are currently reading
4658 people want to read
About the author
Elaine Sciolino
7 books251 followersElaine Sciolino is a writer and former Paris Bureau Chief for The New York Times, based in France since 2002.
Her new book, Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World's Greatest Museum, will be published by W.W. Norton & Company on April 1, 2025.
Sciolino's previous book, The Seine: The River That Made Paris, will be published by W.W. Norton & Company on November 5, 2019.
Lauren Collins, Paris staff writer for The New Yorker, calls the book “a soulful, transformative voyage along the body of water that defines the City of Light. Elaine Sciolino is the perfect guide to the world's most romantic river.”
Her book, The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs, published by W.W. Norton & Company in 2015, was a New York Times best seller. The Wall Street Journal called the book “a sublime stroll…elegiac;” The New York Times wrote that “she has Paris at her feet;” the Chicago Tribune called her “a storyteller at heart.”
Her second book on life in France, The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs, released in November 2015, is a New York Times bestseller and in its fourth printing. The New York Times wrote that “Sciolino … has Paris at her feet.” The Wall Street Journal praised it as “a sublime stroll…elegiac.” The Washington Post called the book a “love letter with such ingenuous passion it’s hard not to cheer up;” it was also chosen as a Washington Post Book Club selection.
In 2010, she was decorated a chevalier of the Legion of Honor, the highest honor of the French state, for her “special contribution” to the friendship between France and the United States.
In 2019, Sciolino became a member of the Advisory Board of Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based international advocacy organization promoting freedom of information and freedom
of the press. In 2018, she received an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from the University of London.
Sciolino's book, La Seduction: How the French Play the Game of Life, was published by Henry Holt/Times Books in 2011. The book was named one of the best books of 2011 by The New York Times T Magazine. La séduction, comment les Français jouent au jeu de la vie, the French edition, was published by Presses de la Cité in 2012.
Her book, Persian Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran, was first published by The Free Press in 2000 and updated in a new edition in 2005. During the Persian Mirrors project, she was a Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, a Public Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the winner of a writing fellowship from the Open Society Institute.
Persian Mirrors was awarded the 2001 New York Public Library Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism and the Overseas Press Club Cornelius Ryan Citation for nonfiction. It was also a History Book Club selection and a New York Times Notable Book for 2000. In 2001, Sciolino was honored by Columbia University’s Encyclopedia Iranica project “for presenting the best of Iran to the world” and elected to the Executive Council of the Society for Iranian Studies that year.
Sciolino began her journalism career as a researcher at Newsweek Magazine in New York, later becoming national correspondent in Chicago, foreign correspondent in Paris, bureau chief in Rome and roving international correspondent. Sciolino was the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in 1982-1983, the first woman to receive that honor.
She joined The New York Times in 1984, where she has held a number of posts, including United Nations’ bureau chief, Central Intelligence Agency correspondent, Culture correspondent and chief diplomatic correspondent – the first woman to hold that post – and Paris Bureau Chief. She has also served as The New York Time
Her new book, Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World's Greatest Museum, will be published by W.W. Norton & Company on April 1, 2025.
Sciolino's previous book, The Seine: The River That Made Paris, will be published by W.W. Norton & Company on November 5, 2019.
Lauren Collins, Paris staff writer for The New Yorker, calls the book “a soulful, transformative voyage along the body of water that defines the City of Light. Elaine Sciolino is the perfect guide to the world's most romantic river.”
Her book, The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs, published by W.W. Norton & Company in 2015, was a New York Times best seller. The Wall Street Journal called the book “a sublime stroll…elegiac;” The New York Times wrote that “she has Paris at her feet;” the Chicago Tribune called her “a storyteller at heart.”
Her second book on life in France, The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs, released in November 2015, is a New York Times bestseller and in its fourth printing. The New York Times wrote that “Sciolino … has Paris at her feet.” The Wall Street Journal praised it as “a sublime stroll…elegiac.” The Washington Post called the book a “love letter with such ingenuous passion it’s hard not to cheer up;” it was also chosen as a Washington Post Book Club selection.
In 2010, she was decorated a chevalier of the Legion of Honor, the highest honor of the French state, for her “special contribution” to the friendship between France and the United States.
In 2019, Sciolino became a member of the Advisory Board of Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based international advocacy organization promoting freedom of information and freedom
of the press. In 2018, she received an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from the University of London.
Sciolino's book, La Seduction: How the French Play the Game of Life, was published by Henry Holt/Times Books in 2011. The book was named one of the best books of 2011 by The New York Times T Magazine. La séduction, comment les Français jouent au jeu de la vie, the French edition, was published by Presses de la Cité in 2012.
Her book, Persian Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran, was first published by The Free Press in 2000 and updated in a new edition in 2005. During the Persian Mirrors project, she was a Senior Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, a Public Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the winner of a writing fellowship from the Open Society Institute.
Persian Mirrors was awarded the 2001 New York Public Library Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism and the Overseas Press Club Cornelius Ryan Citation for nonfiction. It was also a History Book Club selection and a New York Times Notable Book for 2000. In 2001, Sciolino was honored by Columbia University’s Encyclopedia Iranica project “for presenting the best of Iran to the world” and elected to the Executive Council of the Society for Iranian Studies that year.
Sciolino began her journalism career as a researcher at Newsweek Magazine in New York, later becoming national correspondent in Chicago, foreign correspondent in Paris, bureau chief in Rome and roving international correspondent. Sciolino was the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in 1982-1983, the first woman to receive that honor.
She joined The New York Times in 1984, where she has held a number of posts, including United Nations’ bureau chief, Central Intelligence Agency correspondent, Culture correspondent and chief diplomatic correspondent – the first woman to hold that post – and Paris Bureau Chief. She has also served as The New York Time
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
December 9, 2020
This is a wonderful book that takes you on a journey down the Seine River. This book tells the story of the fascinating history of this river, beginning in ancient times through the fire at the Norte Dame Cathedral.
We learn of the of the goddess who gave the river its name.
“The Seine has served as a mirror for the city’s architectural treasures since the twelfth century.”
It has been a back drop for many films including the 1951 classic “An American in Paris.”
Many painters were entranced with the idea of painting outdoors amid the chalk cliffs and woodlands of Normandy.
Theses are just the highlights of this fabulous book. It is a tour of France and all the beautiful landscapes. It made my heart yearn to visit Paris. I hope to go there one day.
It is the perfect book to read during these times of isolation and no traveling.
I highly recommend it.
We learn of the of the goddess who gave the river its name.
“The Seine has served as a mirror for the city’s architectural treasures since the twelfth century.”
It has been a back drop for many films including the 1951 classic “An American in Paris.”
Many painters were entranced with the idea of painting outdoors amid the chalk cliffs and woodlands of Normandy.
Theses are just the highlights of this fabulous book. It is a tour of France and all the beautiful landscapes. It made my heart yearn to visit Paris. I hope to go there one day.
It is the perfect book to read during these times of isolation and no traveling.
I highly recommend it.
September 20, 2019
The Seine a long flowing river through the heart of France.
Many things happen along this famous river.
Some people still live on houseboats; which is getting more difficult each year.
There is fishing along the river as well as people love to gather there.
When a picture of a bride along the Seine appeared in print, many other brides and couples wanted their wedding pictures there too.
The painter Monet lived on a houseboat on the river and was inspired by the changing light during the day.
Movies used the backdrop of the Seine for many movie scenes.
The author invites readers to explore the magic of the Seine.
I won this free book from Goodreads First reads.
Many things happen along this famous river.
Some people still live on houseboats; which is getting more difficult each year.
There is fishing along the river as well as people love to gather there.
When a picture of a bride along the Seine appeared in print, many other brides and couples wanted their wedding pictures there too.
The painter Monet lived on a houseboat on the river and was inspired by the changing light during the day.
Movies used the backdrop of the Seine for many movie scenes.
The author invites readers to explore the magic of the Seine.
I won this free book from Goodreads First reads.
February 5, 2020
This is the perfect book to get me excited about sailing down the Seine in June. I lucked out that it has just been published. I was trying to read a much older book by Mort Rosenblum, an American that lived on the Seine and wrote about his “adventures”, but I was just about to DNF it when I found this. Just like the Seine itself, this book starts at the source of the river and meanders its way to the river’s connection to the sea (actually, the English Channel). Along the way, readers learn about champagne, river industry, entertainment, art and history. It’s such a new history book that the Notre Dame fire of 2019 is included. Well-written and organized. Recommended particularly to river cruisers.
December 5, 2019
from prehistory through 2019 author lightly, but fairly thoroughly, highlights the river. from source to the sea. has pictures, bibliography and some end notes.
November 25, 2019
I struggled with this book. It took me nearly a month to read it and I normally read a book this size in 2 or 3 days. The first half of the book was quite good but then something happened and the following chapters just dragged on endlessly. I ended up skipping through a lot of the book. And I loved the author's The Only Street in Paris so I was quite disappointed.
December 18, 2020
Those who know me know I love Paris. I've studied there, and I've returned to visit. I've walked the city extensively, and I've explored it by rail. I've been reading about Paris for more than 20 years now, and I'm in love with this book.
Sicolino gave me an intellectual and emotional tour of the river and presented the city of Paris in a way I had not experienced before. Each chapter explores a different aspect of the river be it history, geography, environmental, cultural, culinary, the future... I now want to return to Paris with this book in hand to walk along the river quays to see it in these new ways.
The book goes beyond Paris and explores the origins of the river and its journey to the sea. It explains how the river is the artery of Paris - both literally (transportation) and emotionally (the water is the blood to the country's beating heart - Paris).
Pros: The writing is beautiful. The author is an artist with words. The content is well researched and organized thoughtfully. The book includes photos corresponding with the text. Chapters are short enough so that I didn't get bored with any one topic, but long enough to gain new insights about the river. Would I have enjoyed the book as much without my personal relationship to the city? I believe the answer is a strong yes. (I hope this author writes more books on Paris!)
Critical comments: I wish the French words presented in the text had a pronunciation guide/phonetical spellings. The book introduces many words and I think it was shortsighted not to include it. Also, there is a great map of the Paris bridges on page 91... I'll never understand why that map was buried into the text. It should 'live' inside one of the covers for easy reference. I just placed a 2nd bookmark on that page for easy reference.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know I'll be reading it again.
Sicolino gave me an intellectual and emotional tour of the river and presented the city of Paris in a way I had not experienced before. Each chapter explores a different aspect of the river be it history, geography, environmental, cultural, culinary, the future... I now want to return to Paris with this book in hand to walk along the river quays to see it in these new ways.
The book goes beyond Paris and explores the origins of the river and its journey to the sea. It explains how the river is the artery of Paris - both literally (transportation) and emotionally (the water is the blood to the country's beating heart - Paris).
Pros: The writing is beautiful. The author is an artist with words. The content is well researched and organized thoughtfully. The book includes photos corresponding with the text. Chapters are short enough so that I didn't get bored with any one topic, but long enough to gain new insights about the river. Would I have enjoyed the book as much without my personal relationship to the city? I believe the answer is a strong yes. (I hope this author writes more books on Paris!)
Critical comments: I wish the French words presented in the text had a pronunciation guide/phonetical spellings. The book introduces many words and I think it was shortsighted not to include it. Also, there is a great map of the Paris bridges on page 91... I'll never understand why that map was buried into the text. It should 'live' inside one of the covers for easy reference. I just placed a 2nd bookmark on that page for easy reference.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know I'll be reading it again.
January 9, 2022
This was a beautifully written work about the Seine. I appreciated how Sciolino interwove her own experiences visiting the famous river with historical and amusing anecdotes.
It could sound odd to write a book about a river, especially one intended for wider audiences than a scholarly piece. But there is so much to enjoy here, whether you’ve seen the Seine a million times or only in films.
I appreciated how Sciolino divided her chapters, keeping them engaging without spilling into dramatics. Researchers love their subjects, and Sciolino’s adoration of the Seine is evident. Nonetheless, it made for a tight book and easy read because she avoided delving into winding tales or unending stories I find some researchers can’t manage to avoid, especially when allowed a longer form.
As someone quite familiar with the river, I treasured the details presented here. It makes me want to visit the Seine with a newfound appreciation someday.
It could sound odd to write a book about a river, especially one intended for wider audiences than a scholarly piece. But there is so much to enjoy here, whether you’ve seen the Seine a million times or only in films.
I appreciated how Sciolino divided her chapters, keeping them engaging without spilling into dramatics. Researchers love their subjects, and Sciolino’s adoration of the Seine is evident. Nonetheless, it made for a tight book and easy read because she avoided delving into winding tales or unending stories I find some researchers can’t manage to avoid, especially when allowed a longer form.
As someone quite familiar with the river, I treasured the details presented here. It makes me want to visit the Seine with a newfound appreciation someday.
October 26, 2022
I started reading this because I've signed up for a cruise on the Seine. But for some reason I bogged down halfway through & wished I had re-read Mort Rosenblum instead. I remember now, it seemed to me that she tried to include almost too much detail about everything along the route. But there it sat on my Goodreads list, abandoned... so I picked it up again, not expecting too much.
Wow. Beginning with the section on Le Havre, I was totally engaged. I had no idea that Le Havre, like Royan, was bombed out by the Allies at the end of World War II, for similar strategic reasons - it's located where the Seine estuary meets the ocean (like Royan with the Gironde and the Atlantic) and these ports were extremely important to German occupiers. It was also rebuilt in 50s style with lots of concrete, including the St. Joseph church - so it's not picturesque like a lot of France. Most people go to Honfleur on the other side of the Seine. Monet was born there, however - and who knew that the Musee d'Art Moderne Andre Malraux has the second best collection of impressionist paintings in France?
I enjoyed also reading about her experience on her river cruise, with a company called Uniworld Boutique (!!!) - she ignored the Trumpies on the cruise in favor of the company of an Australian woman who enjoyed the experience of being on the river at all hours of day and night as much as she did. Her reasons for signing up for this cruise were much like mine - "To travel along a river as the light changes the perspective is to savor slowness, to absorb and reflect as you move toward your destination."
The afterword made me cry. It's the story of how the Seine saved Notre Dame in April 2019. If you haven't read this, you really must. It's worth the price of the book. The Sapeurs-Pompiers used the waters of the Seine to put out the fire - and if they had not been able to access the water, we would have nothing left of Notre Dame. It's a hell of a story.
There's lots of documentation at the end, summarizing her sources from books to films to songs. Very useful for those of us who are obsessed... and I may go back and re-read the rest.
Wow. Beginning with the section on Le Havre, I was totally engaged. I had no idea that Le Havre, like Royan, was bombed out by the Allies at the end of World War II, for similar strategic reasons - it's located where the Seine estuary meets the ocean (like Royan with the Gironde and the Atlantic) and these ports were extremely important to German occupiers. It was also rebuilt in 50s style with lots of concrete, including the St. Joseph church - so it's not picturesque like a lot of France. Most people go to Honfleur on the other side of the Seine. Monet was born there, however - and who knew that the Musee d'Art Moderne Andre Malraux has the second best collection of impressionist paintings in France?
I enjoyed also reading about her experience on her river cruise, with a company called Uniworld Boutique (!!!) - she ignored the Trumpies on the cruise in favor of the company of an Australian woman who enjoyed the experience of being on the river at all hours of day and night as much as she did. Her reasons for signing up for this cruise were much like mine - "To travel along a river as the light changes the perspective is to savor slowness, to absorb and reflect as you move toward your destination."
The afterword made me cry. It's the story of how the Seine saved Notre Dame in April 2019. If you haven't read this, you really must. It's worth the price of the book. The Sapeurs-Pompiers used the waters of the Seine to put out the fire - and if they had not been able to access the water, we would have nothing left of Notre Dame. It's a hell of a story.
There's lots of documentation at the end, summarizing her sources from books to films to songs. Very useful for those of us who are obsessed... and I may go back and re-read the rest.
August 18, 2021
Really nice, informative read. I was even able to teach my French in-laws some facts that didn’t know about the Seine. #knowitall 🤓
April 19, 2020
I want my travel writers to have a gift for discovering the strange and offbeat, and to tell stories with humor and wit. In other words, I want them to be Bill Bryson, and Sciolino isn’t. This book is fine, but somewhat bland. Every page was just barely interesting enough to keep me reading.
July 7, 2021
*** for a video book review of this, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jISFv... ***
As a resident of Paris and France for some years now, I especially appreciated this short but from-all-angles look at the river that made France what it is today. The book is also a tribute to social capital, as Elaine calls in a lot of favors, no doubt helped along by the fact that she holds the rank of chevalier of the Legion of Honor, to put together the stories we read.
The chapters are short and connected from the beginning of the sources of the Seine north of Dijon all the way to the help the Seine gave in putting out the fires at Notre Dame just a few years ago. Well worth a read whether you are a long-time resident of France or just hoping to visit. You'll have plenty of spots you'll be interested in exploring more after finishing this text.
"The Seine allows Paris to present itself as a stage set, with the river cast as the piece de resistance." (p. 15)
As a resident of Paris and France for some years now, I especially appreciated this short but from-all-angles look at the river that made France what it is today. The book is also a tribute to social capital, as Elaine calls in a lot of favors, no doubt helped along by the fact that she holds the rank of chevalier of the Legion of Honor, to put together the stories we read.
The chapters are short and connected from the beginning of the sources of the Seine north of Dijon all the way to the help the Seine gave in putting out the fires at Notre Dame just a few years ago. Well worth a read whether you are a long-time resident of France or just hoping to visit. You'll have plenty of spots you'll be interested in exploring more after finishing this text.
"The Seine allows Paris to present itself as a stage set, with the river cast as the piece de resistance." (p. 15)
October 28, 2019
**I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Sciolino writes a love letter to the river Seine. Part travelogue, part history, and with a dash of memoir, Sciolino brings to life the Seine in all of its facets. From its beginning to its end, she travels and visits with historians and locals who explain the importance of the Seine to French society and to French history. Most of her book focuses on the Seine’s impact with Paris and the multitude of experiences one can have on the Seine in Paris. Sciolino writes in a journalistic style – she is a trained journalist – so passages have a journalistic flare.
I was captivated by this book. I’ve yet to visit France, let alone the Seine, but just reading Sciolino’s words made me feel a part of the journey. She captures the spirit of the river, with its good points and its bad points. She conveys a sense of urgency in conservation of the river and its resources, as well as the importance of knowing its history. So much was lost during World War II; yet, in areas that received bombing and devastation, there is hope and a remembrance of the past. She makes everything sound so picturesque – truly a love letter, full of enchantment and longing.
This is a perfect book for anyone who enjoys French culture, French history, or even someone who likes to read about nature. Highly recommended.
Sciolino writes a love letter to the river Seine. Part travelogue, part history, and with a dash of memoir, Sciolino brings to life the Seine in all of its facets. From its beginning to its end, she travels and visits with historians and locals who explain the importance of the Seine to French society and to French history. Most of her book focuses on the Seine’s impact with Paris and the multitude of experiences one can have on the Seine in Paris. Sciolino writes in a journalistic style – she is a trained journalist – so passages have a journalistic flare.
I was captivated by this book. I’ve yet to visit France, let alone the Seine, but just reading Sciolino’s words made me feel a part of the journey. She captures the spirit of the river, with its good points and its bad points. She conveys a sense of urgency in conservation of the river and its resources, as well as the importance of knowing its history. So much was lost during World War II; yet, in areas that received bombing and devastation, there is hope and a remembrance of the past. She makes everything sound so picturesque – truly a love letter, full of enchantment and longing.
This is a perfect book for anyone who enjoys French culture, French history, or even someone who likes to read about nature. Highly recommended.
February 14, 2020
From the Sea to the City of Lights and Beyond
A journey that flows from ancient Roman times to the Vikings, to the Hundred Years War, to Napoleon and Hitler; Elaine Sciolino's well-researched book delves into the history and culture of the people of Paris and their Seine River. But, instead of following a chronological order, the author organizes her ideas in a frame that creates a corpus, or body of sorts, of the river itself. She fleshes out the life of the city as expressed around the waterway which was so vital to its growth to the world city of today.
The book is not really a travelogue, though you do follow Sciolino's path through the city. It is not a historical work, though the history does fit in with the well-researched details she provides. But, the book is a cultural collage that displays all that has ever been said, written, and felt, or sang, or drawn, or painted, or photographed about the Seine. I say all so easily here when that would be impossible, but the reader really will feel immersed in the life of the river.
On a more individual level, I was surprised to find the history of 'CPR Annie.' One of the many corpses pulled from the Seine in the 19th Century was that of a beautiful young woman (teen) known simply since as The Unknown Woman. Because of the serene look on her face, a death mask was made and became a well known and widespread artwork around Paris. Eventually, the likeness of the young woman was used for the 'Resusci Anne' dummy used to teach CPR in France, and later even in the USA.
Myths and Museums, Statues and Cathedrals: and bridge to bridge this book leads you through the heart of Paris on the river.
I enjoyed the Audible version read by the author herself. Though it is not professionally read, much is gained by hearing it in the author's own voice. And, I often forget whose voice I was hearing over the strains of Bing Crosby and Doris Day flowing through my memory...
A journey that flows from ancient Roman times to the Vikings, to the Hundred Years War, to Napoleon and Hitler; Elaine Sciolino's well-researched book delves into the history and culture of the people of Paris and their Seine River. But, instead of following a chronological order, the author organizes her ideas in a frame that creates a corpus, or body of sorts, of the river itself. She fleshes out the life of the city as expressed around the waterway which was so vital to its growth to the world city of today.
The book is not really a travelogue, though you do follow Sciolino's path through the city. It is not a historical work, though the history does fit in with the well-researched details she provides. But, the book is a cultural collage that displays all that has ever been said, written, and felt, or sang, or drawn, or painted, or photographed about the Seine. I say all so easily here when that would be impossible, but the reader really will feel immersed in the life of the river.
On a more individual level, I was surprised to find the history of 'CPR Annie.' One of the many corpses pulled from the Seine in the 19th Century was that of a beautiful young woman (teen) known simply since as The Unknown Woman. Because of the serene look on her face, a death mask was made and became a well known and widespread artwork around Paris. Eventually, the likeness of the young woman was used for the 'Resusci Anne' dummy used to teach CPR in France, and later even in the USA.
'Annie, Annie, Are you ok?!'- remembered from my own past CPR classes
Myths and Museums, Statues and Cathedrals: and bridge to bridge this book leads you through the heart of Paris on the river.
"Perhaps, the fairy tale architecture lining the quays works to counterbalance the sinister darkness of the water and the slime that can form on its surface."
I enjoyed the Audible version read by the author herself. Though it is not professionally read, much is gained by hearing it in the author's own voice. And, I often forget whose voice I was hearing over the strains of Bing Crosby and Doris Day flowing through my memory...
The Seine when she starts on her travels
Lazily flows from her source
Slowly her length she unravels
Twisting and turning her course
Deep in the country she tarries
Not knowing which way to go
Till the enchantment of Paris
Beckons her swiftly to flow
She goes flowing, flowing, flowing
As she leaves the countryside
For she's going, going, going
To meet Paris like a bride
And she's cooing, cooing, cooing, cooing
Like the murmuring doves
For the Seine has gone a-wooing
And it's Paris that she loves
She goes singing, singing, singing
She's as happy as a bride
And she's clinging, clinging, clinging
To the banks on either side
She goes winding, winding, winding, winding
Dizzy now in her bed
For the River Seine is finding
That her love goes to her head
She goes gladly, gladly, gladly
While her love is in her arms
And then sadly, sadly, sadly
As she leaves the city's charms
And she carries, carries, carries, carries
Sweet regret in her mind
For the Seine's in love with Paris
And she's left her love behind
For the Seine's in love with Paris
And she's left her love behind
The River Seine by Guy LaFarge
October 4, 2019
I received this book, an ARC, from BookBrowse to review. Although it took me quite awhile, for me, to read it the snail's pace was not due to disinterest. Quite the contrary, I loved the book from the first chapter. Sciolino's interest in the River and its surroundings, its history, its people, its place in movies, music, art is so thorough that it is most rewarding to take it in by small mouthfuls, so as to prolong the enjoyment and also to digest the information. She starts at the very source of the river, a wide area of marshland fed my many underground springs until at last the water consolidates into one defined stream that begins its journey toward Paris. It is here that she spends most of her time--there is so much that connects the Seine ( sen NOT sane--it always drives me crazy to hear it mispronounced ) to Paris in reality and in people's minds. Yet, in time, like the river she moves on to Rouen, through the Normandy countryside and to Honfleur ( my favorite of all the towns I visited ) and even to Le Havre, literally the harbor. Here, though the Seine touches its western boundary, the focus of its inhabitants is not on the river but the sea.
I've not been back to the Seine in 30 years and from this book I can see that much has changed but even so, much is the same. I'm glad those locks were not on the bridges when I was there and happy that they are disappearing. If ever I return I hope that I can explore the part of the River before it reaches Paris from its source. And, naturally, to continue toward the sea through Rouen and Honfleur once more. Until then, I have Sciolino's book to keep me dreaming.
If you've been the return through her eyes is not perfect, being only vicarious, but enjoyable If you haven't been, she'll entice you to try to make the trip at least once.
I've not been back to the Seine in 30 years and from this book I can see that much has changed but even so, much is the same. I'm glad those locks were not on the bridges when I was there and happy that they are disappearing. If ever I return I hope that I can explore the part of the River before it reaches Paris from its source. And, naturally, to continue toward the sea through Rouen and Honfleur once more. Until then, I have Sciolino's book to keep me dreaming.
If you've been the return through her eyes is not perfect, being only vicarious, but enjoyable If you haven't been, she'll entice you to try to make the trip at least once.
August 16, 2019
I've loved many of Ms. Sciolino's books and had such high hopes about this one. It was wonderful most of the time but the organization didn't work for me.
We start with why the Seine is so important to both Paris and the author, why it's called a riviere and not a fleuve (both equal river in English, but there is a difference!). Then she takes us to the source of the Seine, exploring the countryside and a long neglected monument and goddess. Slowly we move upstream towards Paris, seeing the countryside and the cleanliness of the water. Then we're in Paris. And then we're downstream. Then back to Paris. Then downstream... upstream... Paris, repeat. The Paris portion (the largest section) explores themes but could easily been better done as a move from the source to the sea.
Beyond that, there's a lot to learn about the river and its importance not just to Paris but to the French.
eARC provided by publisher.
We start with why the Seine is so important to both Paris and the author, why it's called a riviere and not a fleuve (both equal river in English, but there is a difference!). Then she takes us to the source of the Seine, exploring the countryside and a long neglected monument and goddess. Slowly we move upstream towards Paris, seeing the countryside and the cleanliness of the water. Then we're in Paris. And then we're downstream. Then back to Paris. Then downstream... upstream... Paris, repeat. The Paris portion (the largest section) explores themes but could easily been better done as a move from the source to the sea.
Beyond that, there's a lot to learn about the river and its importance not just to Paris but to the French.
eARC provided by publisher.
November 23, 2019
Initially well-written and informative. The Paris chapters and onwards, though, read as disconnected, cursorily written paragraphs about anything remotely connected to the Seine.
Sciolino also wrote an article recently published in the NY Times about Paris's bridges, which was essentially a compilation of passages lifted directly from the book.
Read the book for the source of the Seine, the NY Times article for the Paris section, and a different source altogether for anything north of Paris.
Sciolino also wrote an article recently published in the NY Times about Paris's bridges, which was essentially a compilation of passages lifted directly from the book.
Read the book for the source of the Seine, the NY Times article for the Paris section, and a different source altogether for anything north of Paris.
January 26, 2020
What a wonderful and informative book. Because of all the information given it takes awhile to read. I read other books in between. I loved Sciolini's "The Only Street in Paris" and this one measures up to it. What fun the author must have had researching this and going to the places along the river she writes about. A simple map is included, which I referred to often and also photos. All the names we associate with Paris; Renoir, Seurat, Monet, Flaubert, Zola, and many others are mentioned in their relationship to the Seine. Let's not forget high school french and Hugo's "Les Miserables" and the forlorn Jean Valjean! Such history and Sciolini makes it all fascinating. Yes, some chapters may appeal more or less to various readers. One of my personal favorites was on the "bouquinistes" booksellers along the Seine. A thorough travelogue and history of the Seine ending with the recent Notre- Dame fire. One of the happiest moments ever in my life was standing by myself near the cathedral watching all the activity near the Seine and waiting for my friend to return with picnic goodies. A simple but memorable and full moment of experiencing Paris and her river.
December 26, 2019
I learned of this book’s existence from an article in The New York Times. Because I love Paris and the Seine, I had to read this book. I didn’t know anything about Sequana; so, I learned quite a bit about that from this book. I particularly enjoyed the parts about the booksellers in Paris, the impressionists outside of Paris in Normandy, and WWII.
I went to Rouen in October, but avoided the river. I regret that now. I also learned of some things that I now want to visit in Rouen next time.
Also, because of @ElaineSciolino and her beautiful book, on my next trip to France without students, I would love to explore more of the Seine than I already have. Dreams of travel, France, and the Seine have me smiling.
I went to Rouen in October, but avoided the river. I regret that now. I also learned of some things that I now want to visit in Rouen next time.
Also, because of @ElaineSciolino and her beautiful book, on my next trip to France without students, I would love to explore more of the Seine than I already have. Dreams of travel, France, and the Seine have me smiling.
July 20, 2020
This was such an incredible book! When I was living in Paris 6 years ago, the Seine was such an incredible route to walk, with a view onto various amazing parts of Paris; when I went to visit it again, for the first time after having lived there, 2.5 years ago, it was a soothing place to be while in a kind of sucky time of my life. This book brings that all to life through the variety of stories it tells. Not every single one of them is as interesting as the next, which just comes down to personal taste, but they all brought something valuable to the overall history and myth of one of the most famous and visited rivers in the world. The writing style was also so beautiful, and everything was so minutely researched! I’d highly recommend.
April 28, 2022
Languorous like the river itself, this tale of the Seine wends its way from topic to topic: from Monet to Julia Child to Camille Claudel (Rodin’s lover and an impressive sculptor in her own right) to L’Inconnue de la Seine, who committed suicide and was fished out of the Seine. Her face was so lovely that masks were made of it and were used to craft the first-aid mannequin used to teach CPR. There are in-depth looks at the cities and towns along the way, as well as the source of the Seine and its estuary into the ocean. The detours and meanders inspired me to look up many of the things she mentions (such as the song about Le Havre).
This beautifully written book is a love letter to the Seine and to France. It makes me want to explore every part of the river and to read it again, before visiting Paris.
This beautifully written book is a love letter to the Seine and to France. It makes me want to explore every part of the river and to read it again, before visiting Paris.
April 12, 2020
I listened to this audio book as I walked along a park path that follows the banks of my own local river, thousands of miles and an ocean away from France, and it was the perfect escape. Sciolino's calming narration and evocative prose took me straight back to Paris in my mind. Not only did this book allow me to reminisce about some of my own favorite memories of the Seine, but I also learned quite a lot about the river that I didn't know before--like the fact that the source of the Seine is owned by the city of Paris and that parts of the Seine (not in Paris, but they're trying to change that) are clean enough to swim in. The Seine is the heartbeat of Paris, and Paris is the heartbeat of France. It's difficult to imagine a better tribute to both than this book.
2020 Reading Challenge Category: A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics (Paris.)
2020 Reading Challenge Category: A book set in a city that has hosted the Olympics (Paris.)
March 6, 2021
Beginning at the headwaters of the Seine in Burgundy, and continuing to its estuary at Le Havre, Sciolino takes us on an illuminating trip down France’s most renowned river. The stories along the way, and especially the ones during the lengthy stop in Paris, are enchanting. A wonderful trip.
July 31, 2024
This is a good book to read while reading other books because the chapters don't necessarily connect. That's one of the things I didn't love about it, it read like a history book or travelogue. That being said, I love Paris, and so enjoyed the history and travelogue.
October 9, 2019
Very much enjoyed this book. If you love anything French especially Paris I highly recommend it. Thank you to Bookbrowse and W.W.Norton Company for this ARC.
January 5, 2020
I loved this book which is a fascinating way to learn about history and culture. My only wish is that some of the photos lined up the their chapters a little more intentionally.
September 13, 2020
I cannot wait to go back to France. She writes with such love for the country.
November 8, 2020
Narrated by Catherine Byers and acquired from the National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled's BARD app.
Mixing travel, history, and culture this book reminded me that I have been blessed to have walked along the Seine in years gone by.
Mixing travel, history, and culture this book reminded me that I have been blessed to have walked along the Seine in years gone by.
April 3, 2021
Maybe five stars. The prose here has almost an oversimplified quality, maybe because of the author’s experience as a journalist. I guess I expected much more florid language given the book’s subject, but what I ended up realizing is that the prose as a result almost disappears under the history and stories. I’m astounded by how much this book taught me about the Seine. The collection of chapters is delightful; it pulls you along just like a little boat on the river.
April 22, 2021
Enjoyable read that gives me many more travel possibilities once traveling returns. Very historical and well read with actually more information than one could ever want.
October 21, 2020
This book made me long for Paris in the worst way. I would like to go back now and maybe take a journey along the Seine. Also the way the author describes her connection with the Seine, I feel that for the Thames. I totally get it.
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