Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 58 "Oysters and Champagne"
A Novel

30 total reviews 
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Helen is an extremely confusing woman. I don't understand, but maybe I'm not supposed to understand yet, or maybe I'm still recovering from surgery. Anyway, I'll wait and see.

 Comment Written 07-May-2019


reply by the author on 07-May-2019
    Many thanks for your review and extra star, Barbara. Helen is a complex character. My experience of women is that they can often be confusing! LOL
    I hope your recovery is going well. My thoughts are with you.
    All the best, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-A good chapter, Tony, about
Charles re-uniting with Helen.
-The texting at the beginning is clever,
especially to someone who doesn't text!
-More of your great description of
Charles choosing the champagne
and Madame Bisset's hair.
-The mood is definitely
lightened in this chapter, too.
-After doubting Helen's motives
in the previous chapter, she surprises
Charles with a very romantic dinner.
-That scene was also vivid,
and described very well.
-It will be interesting to see what
Charles decides to tell Helen about
Kayla after this evening together.










 Comment Written 07-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks for your continued encouragement, Pam, and for the six stars. I must put my nose to the grindstone and start writing the next chapter. All the best, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Tony,
Well done, once more!
Excellent play on letters in I C U and immediate use of the word "trickier."
Wine is the perfect choice, for many reasons, and I like reference to the fencing master story.
The witty dialogue is also very well done. You're either very imaginative or have led an interesting life. This is part of what makes your novel sparkle.
A perfect ending for the chapter, not clear yet whether it will be a perfect ending for the evening.
Here's to Charles.
Robert

 Comment Written 07-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks for your continued support and for the six stars. Probably a bit of both - distorted fact and pure fiction! All the best, Tony
Comment from Sally Law
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You're a foul one, Mr.Grinch.... That famous song came to mind, except "she" was inserted. I think Helen lost her soul somewhere along the way. Bad company corrupts, even if it's your sister. Poor Charles....
Always so well written and laced with twists and turns.
Sal :+)

 Comment Written 07-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks for your continued encouragement, Sally. Yes, it does seem that Helen is trying to lead Charles astray - and he doesn't appear to be unwilling either! All the best, Tony
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Oh-oh! How did Helen find out that he was with Kayla. It's bad enough he was reported as having traipsed around half naked (he had a towel, I recall). Enjoyed the fun with the comic relief of Mme Bisset.

 Comment Written 07-May-2019


reply by the author on 07-May-2019
    It doesn't seem as though he can get away with anything these days!
Comment from estory
Excellent
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The intrigue snakes its way discreetly through the amorous mood of Charles as he makes his way to seduce Helen. Not much hint of a wary nature here. But then in the last sentence, that querry from Helen about her sister raises a bit of a sinister head. Is she hiding something? Does she know something Charles doesn't? The mystery lingers in the air around Paris....estory

 Comment Written 06-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks for your continued encouragement, estory. Charles does seem to have a habit of walking into situations with his eyes closed, doesn't he? All the best, Tony
Comment from F. Wehr3
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I haven't read your prose before, Tony, but I really enjoyed your flowing style with highly descriptive imagery. Although I'm way beyond understanding the plot or what precisely is going on, good writing is good writing. Cheers!

Take care,
Russell

 Comment Written 06-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks, Russell, for reading this and responding to it so positively. Much appreciated. Thanks, too, for the sixth star. All the best, Tony
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

An excellent episode Tony, a very welcoming Helen, asks some questions concerning Kayla, but fortunately nothing of note happened. Charles brings champagne and oysters, the choice of passion. Well done, blessings, Roy.

 Comment Written 06-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks for your continued encouragement, Roy. Actually, it was Helen who bought the oysters, so they must both be on the same wavelength! All the best, Tony
reply by royowen on 08-May-2019
    That's right
Comment from djsaxon
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Love it, Tony. The attention to minutiae is delicious and never gets in the way of the forward thrust of the narrative - merely enhances it. i know this refers to the previous chapter but I just picked up on it. "a good idea to ring her up and tell her?" Call her maybe? No one says 'ring up' anymore. Cheers - DJ

 Comment Written 06-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks for your continued encouragement, DJ. You're not the first to comment on ringing people up! I must be in a time warp! I've now changed it to 'call'. All the best, Tony
Comment from krys123
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hmmm, Huh, ha, huh?
Cheers, Tony;
> Yes, he was going to tell Helen that he saw Kayla, sure, just as the moon rises and sets every day. Have you ever seen a moonset?
> I have to tell you that I may use this analogy metaphor, but change the context. I would say, as fast as a rabbit with his tail on fire. But this
his classic. "He was so skilful (spelling) with his sword that, when it rained, he could intercept every drop and remain dry." - That is pretty fast.
>I would a cowboy shooting at the clouds to let the sunshine in.
> I got a feeling that given the right moment in time and the place that Charles and Kayla could possibly become quite friendly.
> - The reason why Charles didn't tell Helen, because Helen knows Kayla is a good looker. I think she mentioned it one of the earlier chapters.
>Good stuff Tony I like how you wrapped around the secretive attitude of Charles with his relationship with Kayla. That sends a message to Helen and also the reader thinking that Charles can be trusted, because his trust is also jeopardized by his Involvement with the MI-6, or whatever. I forgot.
> Thank you very much for sharing and caring about writing this as I truly enjoy it and I'm learning a lot about character interaction with your writing.
> Take care and have a good one, Tony, may you and your family have blessings of happiness and joy and throw in a little exceptional health blessings on the side.
Alx

 Comment Written 06-May-2019


reply by the author on 08-May-2019
    Very many thanks for the six stars and your continued encouragement, Alx, and for your interesting comments about this chapter. It does seem as though Charles is heading for double trouble with these two sisters. We shall see! All the best, Tony
reply by krys123 on 11-May-2019
    You're setting yourself up into a quagmire of decision-making and I hope you can get yourself out of it. Chuckle! Ha,ha!
    Alx
    PS:Especially with two sisters!
    Alx