The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 64 "The Markhor"A Novel
26 total reviews
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was an incredible place to end!!!!! Not nice! Oh, dear, poor Bisto keeps putting his foot in it, doesn't he? Now why was there an uneasy silence, and why did he look strangely at Charles? There is more going on here than just a man sharing some old memories in his grief. I can't wait for the next part. :) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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That was an incredible place to end!!!!! Not nice! Oh, dear, poor Bisto keeps putting his foot in it, doesn't he? Now why was there an uneasy silence, and why did he look strangely at Charles? There is more going on here than just a man sharing some old memories in his grief. I can't wait for the next part. :) Sandra xx
Comment Written 09-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Thanks for the review, Sandra. It sounds as if the old boy might have come to a sticky end. Perhaps there's a skeleton in the closet! I hope I don't have to enlist Veronica and Mildred's help to slip back in time and change the course of history! Thrilled that you thought this worth a sixth star. All the best, Tony
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I read it yesterday but waited until today to give you the 6. It really is worth it, Tony. The story is coming along beautifully. :)) x
Comment from Amenian Aypotheeno
Although I have come in part way through this story, the way it is worded and the tensions are created between characters from the dialogue, make this easy to jump into and empathise with. Excellent crafting of the banter and conversations, so much so you can imagine it being a real conversation. The wordsmithing and backplot makes me want to read more. Can't find any immediate wording or grammatical errors, so to it seems I am reading a master craftsman! Really enjoy this bit of story!
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Although I have come in part way through this story, the way it is worded and the tensions are created between characters from the dialogue, make this easy to jump into and empathise with. Excellent crafting of the banter and conversations, so much so you can imagine it being a real conversation. The wordsmithing and backplot makes me want to read more. Can't find any immediate wording or grammatical errors, so to it seems I am reading a master craftsman! Really enjoy this bit of story!
Comment Written 09-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Thanks very much, Amenian, for dropping by to review this chapter. I very much appreciate your comments and interest. All the best, Tony
Comment from Tootsie55
This was another different kind of chapter. A real insight into English conversation and expression. As we said elsewhere plenty of "Foot IN Mouth" disease as well. But the old bloke is grieving so I suppose he had to be allowed. Well done.
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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This was another different kind of chapter. A real insight into English conversation and expression. As we said elsewhere plenty of "Foot IN Mouth" disease as well. But the old bloke is grieving so I suppose he had to be allowed. Well done.
Comment Written 09-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Louise. He certainly doesn't seem to be the most tactful of people! I appreciate your review and the sixth star. Very kind of you. All the best, Tony
Comment from Sankey
Look what turned up. I was meant to wait even though I saw this new chapter yesterday. A bit of foot in mouth, today huh! Are you English background? I see a lot of typical Pommy expression throughout. I know you were in the RAF but thought as an Aussie? No spags.
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Look what turned up. I was meant to wait even though I saw this new chapter yesterday. A bit of foot in mouth, today huh! Are you English background? I see a lot of typical Pommy expression throughout. I know you were in the RAF but thought as an Aussie? No spags.
Comment Written 09-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Geoffrey. Good of you to keep following this. As always I appreciate your generosity in awarding a sixth star. I was regular RAF for sixteen years - a navigator on Hercules C130s - an extinct breed these days. When I finished my flying days, I emigrated and took up a career in primary school teaching. Nearly 40 years ago, now. The years slip by!
Comment from Debbie Pope
Well that is your best ending yet, Tony. I can't imagine what happened to Bistro's great grandfather. I will look forward to finding out. You do a great job of creating suspense with that uneasy silence.
Sometimes I like Helen and sometimes I don't. In that bar scene, she comes across as rude and self-centered. I suppose that is in keeping with her character. Like I said, sometimes I don't like her very much.
Anyway, your writing is superb as usual. I have no six stars to award. This chapter certainly deserves it.
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Well that is your best ending yet, Tony. I can't imagine what happened to Bistro's great grandfather. I will look forward to finding out. You do a great job of creating suspense with that uneasy silence.
Sometimes I like Helen and sometimes I don't. In that bar scene, she comes across as rude and self-centered. I suppose that is in keeping with her character. Like I said, sometimes I don't like her very much.
Anyway, your writing is superb as usual. I have no six stars to award. This chapter certainly deserves it.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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I'm looking forward to finding out what happened to the old boy, too! I agree - Helen wasn't exactly on her best behaviour, especially considering the circumstances. Perhaps she felt she needed to assert herself in the company of these two old buffers.
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Yes, Helen can be a stinker. That gives her depth.
Comment from LIJ Red
Another chapter that maintains continuity in the story, and reads with ease, although wine with an omelet(and mushrooms) indicates a fiercer person than I...excellent post...
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Another chapter that maintains continuity in the story, and reads with ease, although wine with an omelet(and mushrooms) indicates a fiercer person than I...excellent post...
Comment Written 08-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Red. I think Helen got it about right. A glass of light, sparkling wine might just work. Anyway, she managed to make her point.
Comment from royowen
Helen and Charles meet with a grieving Bisto, and after the pleasantries, they share a meal at the local, were Bisto awkwardly gets caught out with talking about an enemy of the Indian being sympathised by Helen. After the evening, Helen retires early, and the boys settle down for a chit chat. Well done. Tony, great episode, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Helen and Charles meet with a grieving Bisto, and after the pleasantries, they share a meal at the local, were Bisto awkwardly gets caught out with talking about an enemy of the Indian being sympathised by Helen. After the evening, Helen retires early, and the boys settle down for a chit chat. Well done. Tony, great episode, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 08-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Roy. Your summaries are so good that I should enlist you to write the synopsis on the back cover. LOL
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Well done
Comment from juliaSjames
I'm almost half done reading myself in, so I'm more at home with reviewing this chapter.
Well structured and well written. One tiny omission in the last paragraph. Should be "the" hoot of an owl.
Excellent depiction of Bisto. Good hearted but not really attuned to cultural differences. Makes him even more likeable.
Love the British idioms in this chapter and in the write as a whole. Establishes Charles' social class and personality.
I can't seem to warm to Helen. Perhaps I'll change my mind after I'm fully read in.
Looking forward to learning the fate of the great grandfather in the next chapter.
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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I'm almost half done reading myself in, so I'm more at home with reviewing this chapter.
Well structured and well written. One tiny omission in the last paragraph. Should be "the" hoot of an owl.
Excellent depiction of Bisto. Good hearted but not really attuned to cultural differences. Makes him even more likeable.
Love the British idioms in this chapter and in the write as a whole. Establishes Charles' social class and personality.
I can't seem to warm to Helen. Perhaps I'll change my mind after I'm fully read in.
Looking forward to learning the fate of the great grandfather in the next chapter.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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I'm flattered that you should find it worth going back through earlier chapters of the story. I appreciate the spag pick up, too.
Helen is a fairly volatile character. I find it impossible to keep her under control at times! Frankly, if I were Charles, I'd get a bit sick of her moods. Nonetheless, he seems to be infatuated, poor chap.
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I love it when characters develop a life of their own. Wasn't it Agatha Christie who killed off Poirot because she couldn't stand him?
Comment from JudyE
You've left your readers intrigued with Bisto's silence about his great grandfather. And Helen's remark about the Grenache reinforces the fact that she has a lot of spirit.
One small comment:
You gals are for ever watching your weight - should 'for ever' be one word?
Cheers. Judy
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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You've left your readers intrigued with Bisto's silence about his great grandfather. And Helen's remark about the Grenache reinforces the fact that she has a lot of spirit.
One small comment:
You gals are for ever watching your weight - should 'for ever' be one word?
Cheers. Judy
Comment Written 08-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Thanks for another encouraging review, Judy. I've fixed 'forever'. Not sure how that crept in! All the best, Tony
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter. To comfort someone who lost their partner is not an easy task, but after the condolences everything slips back to normal conversation.
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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A very well-written chapter. To comfort someone who lost their partner is not an easy task, but after the condolences everything slips back to normal conversation.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2019
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Very many thanks for your review and comments, Sandra. Always appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
