Former Paris bureau chief of The New York Times, Elaine Sciolino, dives deep into the history, the mystery and the intimacy of this 483 mile estuary river—the source of pride amongst the French and the endless fascination of people worldwide. Truth be told, it's one of the most romantic rivers anywhere, and the lovely way Sciolino describes the Seine can only be described as true affection. It is a delightful read that can be consumed bit by bit or in one bite. It is armchair travel writing at its finest but it's clearly a look into Sciolino's heart.
An American Library in Paris "Coups de Coeur" Selection A Los Angeles Times Bestseller
"Elaine Sciolino is a graceful, companionable writer.… [She] has laid one more beautiful and amusing wreath on the altar of the City of Light.” —Edmund White, New York Times
Blending memoir, travelogue, and history, The Seine is a love letter to Paris and the river that determined its destiny. Master storyteller and longtime New York Times foreign correspondent Elaine Sciolino explores the Seine through its lively characters—a bargewoman, a riverbank bookseller, a houseboat dweller, a famous cinematographer—and follows it from the remote plateaus of Burgundy through Paris and to the sea. The Seine is a vivid, enchanting portrait of the world’s most irresistible river.
Elaine Sciolino is a contributing writer and former Paris bureau chief for the New York Times. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Only Street in Paris. She has lived in Paris since 2002.
