Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 8 "At Versailles - The Search Continues"
A Novel

29 total reviews 
Comment from Shirley E Kennedy
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Toy,
The story is progressing well in a 'days of our lives' fashion.
The addition of cultural, geographical and modern day information 'pads'
the story out well.
The fluidity of the writing suggest a a deep knowledge and familiarity with tis area.
I still enjoy the banter between the two traveller historians
Blessings
Shirley

 Comment Written 18-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 18-Sep-2018
    Many thanks for your review, Shirley. I shall need to keep an eye on the balance between 'padding' and 'action' as the story progresses. All the best, Tony
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
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Having to quickly catch up, Tony. I've had a load of problems at home, cars catching fire, you know, the silly little things life throws at you! Any way, all sorted and I can concentrate again. I would love to have been rowed down that river like that, soooo romantic. I plan on visiting the Palace next year. I've been to the replica in Italy. Now, what will they find out here? Hopefully something interesting enough to help them. I'll check it out in the next part! :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 02-Sep-2018


reply by the author on 07-Sep-2018
    Cars catching fire? I hope you weren't in it at the time! Thanks for your interest and encouragement.
reply by Sandra Stoner-Mitchell on 07-Sep-2018
    My husband was, and he was so lucky that he managed to get out before it really ignited. Graham had only half an hour before that, been at filling station and filled the tank right up with petrol. I try not to think too much about what might have happened. :(
Comment from ciliverde
Excellent
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Not sure how I missed this chapter, but I'm trying to catch up. I love your comments about the chill in the air after your hero criticized the name Fifi. You'll be happy to know that I do not name my cars - I actually have a car and a truck :)

Carol

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 07-Sep-2018
    Ah! A truck! Now there's something worth naming! :)
    Thanks for your continued interest in the story.
    All the best, Tony
Comment from marion
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi there,
Just picking up on a random chapter. This is very well written and having watched the historical series Versailles, I was able to imagine your scenes well! I couldn't see any areas where you could improve! So this will make my review short, as I have not followed the book. But I certainly felt the intrigue and it would certainly make one wanting to continue with the story.
Marion

 Comment Written 27-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 27-Aug-2018
    Good to hear from you, Marion. Very many thanks for dropping by to read and review this chapter. I appreciate your affirming comments. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Halfree
Good
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This story starts and spends a lot of time and ink with descriptions that do little to move the story along, One line..across the central axis of the Grand Canal, o boy, that really moved the story along. Will that information make me want to read on and how is that important?
The line "Does life get life get any better..." answer, sure does,
I found the first two pages, well dull. Lots of descriptions setting the scene that do not lead to ... to something. I have read other posting of yours and as I recall you did some very good work, well a bit better than good. Think you need to work on this one a bit.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 26-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 27-Aug-2018
    Thanks, Halfree. I appreciate your comments and probably need to go through all of the chapters, asking myself questions like, Does this part move the story along? Does it help with character development? Does it help to establish the scene in the mind of a reader? Or, simply, is this part necessary? I agree with you about the redundancy you mention.
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I love the scene on the Grand Canal really relaxing, until the little boat crash. You tell this story well through dialogue and leave us with an interesting snippet to finish off a well constructed chapter.
Enjoying these characters Tony.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 26-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 26-Aug-2018
    Delighted that you are still enjoying it. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-A beautiful image for your
well penned chapter, Tony.
-I enjoyed this one, as there
were many things of interest,
as shown in the dialogue between
characters and the scene descriptions.
-In this chapter we see Helen
become saddened for a short time.
-It will be interesting to see what
develops as a result of that.
-I like the ending of the chapter,
as another layer of mystery is
added with the priest's information
about Mademoiselle Françoise Gaudin.

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 25-Aug-2018
    Thank you , Pam. Your comments and stars much appreciated as always. All the best, Tony
reply by Pam (respa) on 25-Aug-2018
    You are quite welcome, Tony.
Comment from rspoet
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Tony,
Ah, the way to information is filled with compliments.
Helen is a good person to have on your side as she strokes
Father Pierre Lacroix's pride.
But really, Fifi. I suppose she can be excused since it is a Fiat.
Fortunately, Fifi isn't on of those annoying pocketbook dog.
Another excellent chapter with crisp dialogue and humor.
Well done
Robert

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 25-Aug-2018
    Very many thanks both for your review and the six stars. Much appreciated as always. Perish the thought that I would introduce a pocketbook dog into my story! It was quite bad enough having a pink poodle in the last chapter.
Comment from Mastery
Excellent
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Good writing all the way through, Tony. Top notch! Your sense of plot continuity and dialogue make for a great chapter for your book. The imagery is superb also.

Like: "Helen sat, prettily poised under her parasol, with the westering sun glinting against the grand façade of the Palace, resplendent in the background behind her."

And here: "She trailed her fingers listlessly through the water with a faraway look in her eyes, and did not reply. I was about to make another of my facetious comments, when I noticed a deep sadness in her expression. She was no longer with me, but reaching back into the past, lost in reverie." (Great picture painting, my friend.

Brilliant. Very professional feel to this one, Tony. Bob

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 24-Aug-2018
    Thanks, Bob. I very much appreciate your comments and support. Have a great weekend. All the best, Tony
reply by Mastery on 24-Aug-2018
    :) U2 Bob
Comment from RGstar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Well, I think this is the first installment for me being away 3 months, but as ever with good writing and narrative, one sails through without fear of huge mistakes and analytical waste.

The language suits the mood of the piece as well the aura and genre; especially with thought of the time and period being explored or sought after.

I am giving this a sixth star.
My best wishes Tony.
RG

 Comment Written 24-Aug-2018


reply by the author on 24-Aug-2018
    So good to gear from you, Roy. I hope all goes well. I, too, have been away for a couple of months. We went to visit my daughter in New York, and spent a couple of weeks in England, looking up various relatives. Very many thanks for your kind comments about my book in progress, and for the six stars. Take care, my friend. All the best, Tony