The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 13 "The Dog Who Smokes"A Novel
29 total reviews
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Enjoyed the way you moved the story along through the dialogue with Dr Laurent and then Madame Lefauvre. A flirty ending to an enjoyable chapter Tony.
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2018
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Enjoyed the way you moved the story along through the dialogue with Dr Laurent and then Madame Lefauvre. A flirty ending to an enjoyable chapter Tony.
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 06-Oct-2018
reply by the author on 07-Oct-2018
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Thanks, Valda. Glad you are enjoying the slightly risque bits! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Shirley E Kennedy
Hi Tony,
Such fluent French and so descriptive and alive with past and present.
The banter between the travellers id tasteful and fun whilst adding interest and depth.
Blessings
Shirley
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2018
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Hi Tony,
Such fluent French and so descriptive and alive with past and present.
The banter between the travellers id tasteful and fun whilst adding interest and depth.
Blessings
Shirley
Comment Written 05-Oct-2018
reply by the author on 05-Oct-2018
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Very many thanks for dropping by to read and review this chapter, Shirley. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from apky
Another chapter I thoroughly enjoyed, perhaps even more than the previous chapter a couple of days ago (which I thought brilliant and deserving of a six, but I can't change it now). Below are my suggestions.
>>"I doubt it. Privacy laws are fairly strict these days."
"Perhaps not, but it's worth a try.<<
~ the above bit of the dialogue made me stop. The "hm?" was his response to her little speech about privacy. >Perhaps not< negates the meaning, is out of tune with what she just said, if you see what I'm about.
"Merci, Madam! Au revoir!" ~ I feel that since this is in French, you should keep to the French spelling "Madame". I noticed another "Madam" above, but at least the rest of the sentence was in English. But you could change that, too, if you want.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Another chapter I thoroughly enjoyed, perhaps even more than the previous chapter a couple of days ago (which I thought brilliant and deserving of a six, but I can't change it now). Below are my suggestions.
>>"I doubt it. Privacy laws are fairly strict these days."
"Perhaps not, but it's worth a try.<<
~ the above bit of the dialogue made me stop. The "hm?" was his response to her little speech about privacy. >Perhaps not< negates the meaning, is out of tune with what she just said, if you see what I'm about.
"Merci, Madam! Au revoir!" ~ I feel that since this is in French, you should keep to the French spelling "Madame". I noticed another "Madam" above, but at least the rest of the sentence was in English. But you could change that, too, if you want.
Comment Written 25-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for this review, apky, and your suggestions. Yes, I see exactly what you mean and have now made an amendment. I think so far as Madam/Madame is concerned, that I shall probably go thought the whole book to date and change them all to Madame for consistency. I very much appreciate the six stars! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from heart of Lou
Pink poodle! A crazy gardener trying to look under people's skirts! Hard telling where this wild goose chase will take them. At least they get to sample some good eating places and spend nights together in hotels.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Pink poodle! A crazy gardener trying to look under people's skirts! Hard telling where this wild goose chase will take them. At least they get to sample some good eating places and spend nights together in hotels.
Comment Written 23-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for dropping by to review this chapter, Lou. Much appreciated! You are right - there are some bizarre twists in this, but they seem to be enjoying the journey.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Tony, a wonderful continuation to the story. It's nicely paced, and the story moves along through the great dialogue. So they are not really getting anywhere, now that Fifi has packed in for a little while. However, their relationship seems be in fine form and getting a helping hand all the time. Looking forward to what's coming next. I like how you interlace the writing with French. All the best. Ulla:))
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Hi Tony, a wonderful continuation to the story. It's nicely paced, and the story moves along through the great dialogue. So they are not really getting anywhere, now that Fifi has packed in for a little while. However, their relationship seems be in fine form and getting a helping hand all the time. Looking forward to what's coming next. I like how you interlace the writing with French. All the best. Ulla:))
Comment Written 23-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for this lovely review, Ulla, and for the six stars. Much appreciated! I'm hoping to get another chapter out in a few days. Some family matters have been slowing me down a bit recently. All the best, Tony
Comment from Sis Cat
Tony, I am parachuting in the middle of your novel, so I will give you my immediate impressions. After a several month hiatus from FanStory, I resumed reviewing and I found that with your writing there is a certain level of richness of language and polish of prose that matches your verse. Avoiding using dialogue tags and descriptions, your dialogue pulls me into your story. Another thrill is that you excel at both English and French language and history, adding depth to your writing, as in this passage:
She reminded me of Madam Defarge, knitting away beside the guillotine like one of the Greek Fates, stitching in the names of her intended victims, as each unfortunate aristocrat mounted the steps to the jeers of the mob.
This is accomplished, imaginative writing, and one of the high points of my day.
Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Tony, I am parachuting in the middle of your novel, so I will give you my immediate impressions. After a several month hiatus from FanStory, I resumed reviewing and I found that with your writing there is a certain level of richness of language and polish of prose that matches your verse. Avoiding using dialogue tags and descriptions, your dialogue pulls me into your story. Another thrill is that you excel at both English and French language and history, adding depth to your writing, as in this passage:
She reminded me of Madam Defarge, knitting away beside the guillotine like one of the Greek Fates, stitching in the names of her intended victims, as each unfortunate aristocrat mounted the steps to the jeers of the mob.
This is accomplished, imaginative writing, and one of the high points of my day.
Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 22-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for this lovely review, Andre, and for the six stars. Much appreciated! I'm hoping to get another chapter out in a few days. Some family matters have been slowing me down a bit recently. All the best, Tony
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I doubt Charles will have a problem spending another night with Helen. It seems faith is pushing them together. They might as well enjoy the ride, so to speak. I do like this story.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I doubt Charles will have a problem spending another night with Helen. It seems faith is pushing them together. They might as well enjoy the ride, so to speak. I do like this story.
Comment Written 22-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for your review, Barbara. Much appreciated! I'm hoping to get another chapter out in a few days. Some family matters have been slowing me down a bit recently. All the best, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter as the story moves along
despite the infirmities of Fifi and her fuel pump.
Helen is a good questioner getting far more information
than Charles ever would.
The dialogue is very well done.
""I think we're on [to] the Monet!" (unless he Monet is a street, not sure if there should be 'to' added here)
The Water Lilies gardens and paintings would be a nice touch.
Charles seems to have all the luck (depending on ones point of view)
Fifi is almost like another character,
much better than Maupassant's miserable Madame.
Well done
Sadly, no sixes left
Robert
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter as the story moves along
despite the infirmities of Fifi and her fuel pump.
Helen is a good questioner getting far more information
than Charles ever would.
The dialogue is very well done.
""I think we're on [to] the Monet!" (unless he Monet is a street, not sure if there should be 'to' added here)
The Water Lilies gardens and paintings would be a nice touch.
Charles seems to have all the luck (depending on ones point of view)
Fifi is almost like another character,
much better than Maupassant's miserable Madame.
Well done
Sadly, no sixes left
Robert
Comment Written 22-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for your review, Robert. Much appreciated! I may have to take out that dreadful pun "we're on the Monet (money)" - it seems to have flown over the heads of all! I'm hoping to get another chapter out in a few days. Some family matters have been slowing me down a bit recently. I have some catching up to do. All the best, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
-A good image, Tony, is that The Smoking Dog?!
-The chapter flows well as you fill us in
on what Helen and Charles are up to.
-They seem to be more involved with
one another, and Charles hasn't voiced
concerns about her motives.
-You inject humor well in
various scenes of the chapter.
-As they try to piece together
the mystery of Françoise Gaudin,
they once again meet up with
Madam Lefauvre, who provides only
a little bit of information in her
pleasant, courteous way!
-I love the reference to Madame DeFarge from
one of my favorite books.
-Helen and Charles go on their way,
only to have car trouble, and have
to stay at another hotel.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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-A good image, Tony, is that The Smoking Dog?!
-The chapter flows well as you fill us in
on what Helen and Charles are up to.
-They seem to be more involved with
one another, and Charles hasn't voiced
concerns about her motives.
-You inject humor well in
various scenes of the chapter.
-As they try to piece together
the mystery of Françoise Gaudin,
they once again meet up with
Madam Lefauvre, who provides only
a little bit of information in her
pleasant, courteous way!
-I love the reference to Madame DeFarge from
one of my favorite books.
-Helen and Charles go on their way,
only to have car trouble, and have
to stay at another hotel.
Comment Written 22-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for your review, Pam. Much appreciated! I may have to take out that dreadful pun "we're on the Monet (money)" - it seems to have flown over the heads of all! Yes, the picture is of The Smoking Dog restaurant - it really does exist! Thanks very much for your more detailed comments by email. I'm having a few issues with my laptop at the moment and particularly with Word. which keeps freezing. However, will incorporate them when I get things sorted out. I'm hoping to get another chapter out in a few days. My wife's mother is terminally ill, and daily visits to the nursing home have been slowing me down a bit. I have some catching up to do. All the best, Tony
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You are very welcome, Tony. Now I understand since you explained "on the Monet." I think I agree with your assessment!! Thanks for sharing about the Smoking Dog. Did you go there to eat, by any chance? Hope you get the computer straightened out; it can often cause aggravation. Sorry to hear of your wife's mother. That is not easy to deal with.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
LOL! I loved the ending! Saucy... This was sun fun to read. The name of the pub, The Dog that Smokes, lol, I'll even bet there is a pub/restaurant with that name. What a shame they couldn't get to Giverny in the end ... or was it!! lol. Well done, Tony, another lovely part of your book. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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LOL! I loved the ending! Saucy... This was sun fun to read. The name of the pub, The Dog that Smokes, lol, I'll even bet there is a pub/restaurant with that name. What a shame they couldn't get to Giverny in the end ... or was it!! lol. Well done, Tony, another lovely part of your book. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 22-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Very many thanks for your review, Sandra. Much appreciated! You are right - there is a restaurant in Versailles called The Dog that Smokes. I've no idea how it got its name though. I'm anticipating that this overnight stop will only delay their arrival at Giverny.
I'm hoping to get another chapter out in a few days. Some family matters have been slowing me down a bit recently. I have some catching up to do. All the best, Tony
