Houseboat on the Seine [Paperback]

William WHARTON (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Newmarket Press (1996)
• ASIN: B000VAPR2K
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Pleasant Expat American Memoir, June 28, 2000

By 

Matthew M. Liggett (Wilmington, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Houseboat on the Seine: A Memoir (Hardcover)

Wharton is very good at creating a nostalgic mood for any American who is infatuated with (and occasionally infuriated by) the French. Wharton describes the trials of buying, restoring and living aboard a houseboat. Though he finds hassles around nearly every corner, he manages to keep his head above water and provides a light-hearted narration.

Wharton lives for years in France, but clearly retains a very American spirit through it all, which helps make this story accessible.

A pleasant, quick read for any American who finds himself missing Europe's quirks. If you are prone to buying and fixing old boats, cars, airplanes or houses, then you will find even more here.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "This Old Boat", July 12, 2001

By 

Michael K. McKeon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Houseboat on the Seine: A Memoir (Hardcover)

If you find home restoration stories interesting you will find this an intriguing and satisfying read. However, despite the title and location the book contains exceedingly little in the way of descriptions of French atmosphere, scenery, or culture, virtually none, actually. While this doesn't necessarily detract from what is an interesting memoir, Wharton's story could have taken place on the Mississippi or Hudson for its descriptions of the host nation.

It is an amazing story of fortitude and luck. The story begins with Wharton's acquisition of a houseboat and what appears to be a lingering plague of bad luck. However, through sheer determination he surmounts it, and in so doing he attracts the advice and help of people interesting in making his houseboat reconstruction project a success. In the process he learns alot about himself, and the project galvanizes what is a family distinctive in patience, character, flexibility, and sense of adventure.

An interesting side note is the allusions to what is a seemingly cohesive American ex-patriot community which seems to live in France but not to assimilate. One gets the impression that they appreciate the location, but aren't inclined to acclimate to French society.

The book isn't great literature and about 4/5 of the way through, after describing grueling tests and continually avoiding devastating failures, he suddenly begins to describe his life approaching retirement 20 years later...with virtually no segue. Hmmm. Still, an interesting book. The intricate (excessive?) detail given to the reconstruction project will appeal to a distinctive audience; this might be generalized as a "men's interest book".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Houseboat on the Seine, September 2, 2002

By 

"momelly" (OLNEY, Md. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Houseboat on the Seine: A Memoir (Hardcover)

This was the first book I read by Wm. Wharton. I found it so interesting I couldn't put it down. It held my interest right away. I loved it. He is a very detailed writer and keeps my interested to the end. I continued to find other books by him.
Ever After is another to hold ones interest. As before he is an exellent writer. Would love to see his paintings also.
I would say anyone who reads his books won't be disappointed.
Eleanor C.Roby