What readers think of The Seine, plus links to write your own review.

Although mostly about Paris, this is really about the entire River Seine, from its source in Burgundy to its entry to the sea in Le Havre. But it is mostly about Paris, and how the city depends on the river for commerce, tourism, and romance. Written by a journalist who has lived in France for years, it has a journalistic style, but some portions actually read more like a novel than a travelogue. There are chapters on the bridges, the houseboats, the book sellers, the movies, pollution, floods, and more. Lots of stories about people who live on or make their living on the river. Entertaining and informative.

Reading takes you somewhere else when you have to stay where you are. I've just completed a pleasant journey to The Seine. Along the way I learned myth and history, islands and shorelines, stories, art, and song. Most interesting were the people that tell the stories of the river and its environs. A good book prompts more questions and explorations and I can easily imagine a book group discussion on many topics here. Any one planning to travel to Paris would do well to explore this book prior to boarding your flight.

This is a wonderful and enthralling history of the Seine from its source to the Atlantic. Sciolino writes in a breezy and very engaging style and includes loads of interesting and little known details about the river, it's history, and life on it. This book made me want to start researching river cruises along the navigable length of the Seine. Such a pleasure to read.

I really believe that if The Seine had been written as a coffee table or travel book with pictures on every page or so it would have been more enjoyable. As it was, I was crawling through the French Language, references to luminaries whose names I did not know and text that had almost a stage musical feel to it.

I am not saying at all that Ms. Sciolino's enthusiasm and obvious love of Paris and the river were a problem ... the setting needs to change. I think the right book format and loads of pictures in color will really capture her heart, the City and the River and the joy she is trying to convey.

Then, I'd be willing to give it another try.