Houseboat on the Seine

Rating:
Summary: InSeine
Review: I have only read two of William Wharton's other books, Birdy and Last lovers, both of which I thought were brilliant although not at all similar.

Houseboat on the Seine is a different type of book completely. It is certainly no literary masterpiece, but it has it's own fascination. When I bought it I was not expecting to be brilliant, having read other peoples reviews. Certainly as other reviewers have pointed out it contains a lot of detail such as how to nail together some wood to make a floor, wall paneling, a ceiling, a gangplank etc., or how not to moor your houseboat to a river bank.

What is fascinating though is watching how Wharton makes a small investment to realize a minor dream, and then gets dragged into a series of ever increasing expensive and time consuming investments to keep the dream alive. There are many points where he seems to be out of his depth with what is going on around him, but he pumps the money in regardless, despite the fact he had precious little of it at the time. As he goes on this minor dream becomes major and in fact takes over his life.

It is interesting to speculate whether put in the same situation you would persevere as he did, or at which point you would have walked away from the whole calamity.

The last twenty pages or so fall apart somewhat, and it sometimes feels like he had a target number of pages to write, but that he had finished the main story long before writing them.

I recommend it as a character study and as a tool for doing some self-evaluation, not as what most people would consider to be a gripping piece of entertainment though. Having said that I read cover to cover over two evenings.

Rating:
Summary: "This Old Boat"
Review: 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".

Rating:
Summary: Houseboat on the Seine
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: A Very Pleasant Expat American Memoir
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Yo Ho Ho
Review: William Wharton, American expatriate in France, author and artist, determines to live in a houseboat on the Seine. It promptly sinks. The book recounts the refloating, repositioning and refurbishing of this old tub. Somehow, he does it with the help of friends and a very bright, very practical teenaged friend. As I can barely find my way around a hardware store--and care less--I didn't appreciate the cleverness of the rehab, but I did enjoy the people and the stories abounding in the countryside. Wharton, of course, succeeds. He may be a moderately annoying expat, but he writes an interesting book.