Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 61 "Well, I'll be bugged!"
A Novel

25 total reviews 
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Excellent
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You did a good job, Tony, with this chapter. It is interesting about the 'bugs' and the driving a wedge' comment. I enjoyed reading it. I never card for Jeanne. Thanks for sharing. Jan

 Comment Written 21-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Very many thanks, Jan. Jeanne's not turning out to be a very appealing character, is she? Maybe she has some redeeming features but, if so, they are well hidden at present! All the best, Tony
Comment from WryWriter
Excellent
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I had to laugh at the title of this chapter. Aren't we all "bugged" these days? LOL! Now, will Helen marry Charles? That is the question.

One edit: What was this woman thinking.((?))

Enjoyed reading your work!!

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Many thanks for your review and edit, WryWriter. As always, much appreciated. A marriage of convenience might be a disaster, but who knows what they'll decide. I'm sure I don't! All the best, Tony
Comment from LIJ Red
Excellent
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In the US a jaundiced leaf would be one whose liver failed and turned it to a pumpkin hue...the hill folk called one form of hepatitis "Yaller Janders."
Just rambling to make 150 characters. Excellent chapter.

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Thanks for your review and asides, Red. I've just finished reading your reminiscence inspired by Lee's flatulent horse. Very funny - in hindsight. All the best, Tony
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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So the continued concurrent attempt to further involve Charles and Helen in the clutches of MI6 are for Charles to turn her dependence on Charles by Jeanne being discredited, and diffusing the situation between Charles and Helen by marrying to give some defence in Pakistan. Bamforth rings Charles with an urgent "come" well done, Tony, an excellent episode, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Thanks for the review, Roy. As always, appreciated. Tony.
reply by royowen on 02-Jun-2019
    Well done
Comment from Sankey
Excellent
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Another good read. I have already gone into details of how I feel about the bitch hehe. You tell a good story and keep us in suspense along the way. No spags.

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Thanks, Geoffrey. As you know, I'm a bit behind with my review responses. Be assured, however, that I value your input and support. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Mastery
Excellent
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Another excellent chapter, Tony. I loved this subtle "aside" "Perverted bastards. Oh, well - at least it wasn't video. I hope they were more amused by my grunting and snorting than Helen was." (LOL)

Great imagery: "I walked to the window. Across the street, the sun-faded, cerulean canopy of Café Gabrielle sparkled with dancing shadows. A few customers lounged on rattan chairs in the dappled shade, sipping cognac and coffee. It was altogether too inviting a scene to resist."

And here: " I swigged half at one gulp and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. The old men paused to regard me with the Gallic suspicion that is reserved for strangers. I raised my glass in a mock-toast before draining it and attacking the toasted sandwich."

Suggestions: I would start a new paragraph with these words: "I knew enough about Pakistan to realise how true that was. (Reason is as you have it now, it is crowding into the other one before it. They are two different speakers)

Excellent job on tis one, my friend. Bob

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Very many thanks for your review and suggestion, Bob. Appreciated, as always. I'm a bit behind with responding - having been away travelling for two or three weeks - but should be all caught up soon. Best wishes, Tony
reply by Mastery on 02-Jun-2019
    Understandable, my friend. :) Bob
Comment from estory
Excellent
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I like the mysterious sense of the bugged apartment and the sinister demeanor of Jeanne in this chapter. She comes across as steely and cold and not likeable, and that makes Charles rise in contrast. I still think you have him too nonchalant. Anyone who found bugs in his apartment would go bonkers. He seems too interested in gourmet dinners at times when the tension in ratcheting up. And I don't why he would be so interested in Helen after finding out she loves women and is involved with all these drug dealers and terrorists. You've gone down lots of alleys in this one and the story seems to be all over the map. I think it needs better focus, a clearer direction. estory

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Thanks, estory. I appreciate your comments. I think Charles's reaction would have been a good deal stronger if it had been his apartment, rather than Helen's. You are right, though, the story will need some drastic editing before it's ready to go anywhere beyond FS.
    All the best, Tony
Comment from Bleeshor
Excellent
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I'll admit, it is hard to review something already in progress. I more or less understood what was happening. The writer has a nice blend of dialogue and scene setting in this chapter. I also appreciate the straight forward descriptions , for the most part, so that I could appreciate the flowery descriptions later...the sun-faded cerulean...

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Thanks very much for dropping by to review this chapter. I know how hard it can be to pick up the threads of a story that is so far advanced. Welcome to FanStory. I see that you have only recently joined. I've read a couple of your recent poems. You have a strong personal voice that shines through.
Comment from Tootsie55
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

This was a really intriguing chapter. Jeanne seems a real bitch of course. Bitch or butch hehe. Glad you aree back on track again. Getting some more of sankey's biography chapters up for a final round.

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Thanks very much for your kind review, Louise, and for the sixth star. I shall make time to drop in on Geoffrey's biography soon. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
Excellent
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A very well-written chapter. Just when a person thinks everything falls into place there are new developments that scrambles everything up again, and some events have to wait to take place.

 Comment Written 20-May-2019


reply by the author on 02-Jun-2019
    Thanks, Sandra. I appreciate your comments about this chapter. Best wishes, Tony