The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 79 "A Bumpy Ride"A Novel
28 total reviews
Comment from giraffmang
Another really good and engrossing chapter. there's a nice progression here from Bamforth's bluster to Charles' imagery in thoughts and dreams to the realisation of the trip and the dangers. Goo stuff
"You won't. He'll contact you. The procedure is simple. He will call out 'Infidels!', spit in your direction, and hurl a pear at you, at the same time shouting, 'Allahu Akbar!'- missing closing speech marks here.
Least of all, Parsons. Strictly need-to-know- you don't need the comma before Parsons here as it isn't a direct addressment.
Moments later, we were thrown forward in our seatbelts as the captain yanked all four engines into reverse.- just like arriving at the old airport in Belfast. had the shortest runway in UK. Land & throw on the handbrake! lol
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2019
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Another really good and engrossing chapter. there's a nice progression here from Bamforth's bluster to Charles' imagery in thoughts and dreams to the realisation of the trip and the dangers. Goo stuff
"You won't. He'll contact you. The procedure is simple. He will call out 'Infidels!', spit in your direction, and hurl a pear at you, at the same time shouting, 'Allahu Akbar!'- missing closing speech marks here.
Least of all, Parsons. Strictly need-to-know- you don't need the comma before Parsons here as it isn't a direct addressment.
Moments later, we were thrown forward in our seatbelts as the captain yanked all four engines into reverse.- just like arriving at the old airport in Belfast. had the shortest runway in UK. Land & throw on the handbrake! lol
Comment Written 19-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2019
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Thanks, Gareth. I've fixed the spags now. Thanks for picking them up. Appreciated. I think I may have landed once or twice on that runway, back in the 1970s. The Hercules could pull up fairly short when it needed to.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-This is a very good chapter, Tony.
-The bit about throwing a pear
is humorous until we learn why.
-It sounds like Parsons is
way out of the loop!
-I guess he didn't know
about the pear, either!
-The imagery is very good in
several paragraphs, the one as
Charles falls asleep, and the one
as Charles remembers Bisto's grandfather.
-It is a very effective way of taking the reader
back to previous developments and
reminding us of Bisto, too.
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2019
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-This is a very good chapter, Tony.
-The bit about throwing a pear
is humorous until we learn why.
-It sounds like Parsons is
way out of the loop!
-I guess he didn't know
about the pear, either!
-The imagery is very good in
several paragraphs, the one as
Charles falls asleep, and the one
as Charles remembers Bisto's grandfather.
-It is a very effective way of taking the reader
back to previous developments and
reminding us of Bisto, too.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2019
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Very many thanks, Pam. These flashbacks certainly help people to keep track when the story is unfolding at one or two pages a week.
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You are very welcome, Tony, and I agree about the flashbacks.
Comment from Juliette Chamberlain
First I have read of this story but the storyline (if not the finer nuances) is easy to pick up. This is just the type of adventure story I like and the writer has managed to convey a sense of anxious anticipation hidden among the everyday banter and the plane journey and typical landing.
I saw no spags. The flow is good, really engaging the emotions of the reader.
Warmly,
Juliette
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2019
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First I have read of this story but the storyline (if not the finer nuances) is easy to pick up. This is just the type of adventure story I like and the writer has managed to convey a sense of anxious anticipation hidden among the everyday banter and the plane journey and typical landing.
I saw no spags. The flow is good, really engaging the emotions of the reader.
Warmly,
Juliette
Comment Written 17-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2019
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Thanks, Juliette. Never easy to come in at this late stage in a story. Delighted to hear that you have found it engaging. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello Tfawcus,
An unpleasant journey having a Happy Arrival!
Smooth and captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end having impressive and perfectly matching the theme phraseology.
Interesting Description of scenes and situations.
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2019
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Hello Tfawcus,
An unpleasant journey having a Happy Arrival!
Smooth and captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end having impressive and perfectly matching the theme phraseology.
Interesting Description of scenes and situations.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2019
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Thanks, RP. I appreciate your positive comments and the extra star.
I hope all is well with you. Best wishes, Tony.
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Tony, Most Welcome!
&
THANKS for Best wishes,
~ RP
Comment from Mackenzie Cooper
One of my favorite elements about this chapter is the visual imagery. Being a visual person and movie fan, I was able to visualize what the characters were doing and even feel what the characters were feeling. This could definitely be made into a novel or film series!! Well written!
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2019
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One of my favorite elements about this chapter is the visual imagery. Being a visual person and movie fan, I was able to visualize what the characters were doing and even feel what the characters were feeling. This could definitely be made into a novel or film series!! Well written!
Comment Written 16-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2019
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Very many thanks, Mackenzie. I appreciate your support and encouragement. Glad you're enjoying it. Having been an aviator for sixteen years, I've experienced one or two flights a bit like this! Very generous of you to award a sixth star. Thank you! All the best, Tony
Comment from Tpa
It was an amazing chapter that was full of suspense. Your descriptions were wonderful, the manner of which they produced a vivid image like the groaning winds. An enjoyable read.
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2019
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It was an amazing chapter that was full of suspense. Your descriptions were wonderful, the manner of which they produced a vivid image like the groaning winds. An enjoyable read.
Comment Written 16-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 17-Aug-2019
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Very many thanks, Tpa. I appreciate your support and encouragement. Glad you're enjoying it. All the best, Tony
Comment from Rosemary Everson1
Where do I find the other chapters of your book? I would like to read from the very beginning so I know the plots throughout your book. I like reading this chapter...in the list of characters you mentioned the character....traveling writer...interested in this type of writer and what they do other than write and travel. Great writing.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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Where do I find the other chapters of your book? I would like to read from the very beginning so I know the plots throughout your book. I like reading this chapter...in the list of characters you mentioned the character....traveling writer...interested in this type of writer and what they do other than write and travel. Great writing.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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Very many thanks for dropping by to review this chapter and for your interest. Much appreciated. If you want to read previous chapters, just click on my name. That will take you to my portfolio. Click on The French Letter and then on chapters in the top right hand corner. That should reveal all of the chapters of the book. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from barkingdog
I'm glad I wasn't on that flight with all of it's turbulence and then a terribly rough landing. I was glad they landed!!
Your characters presented clearly with fine dialogue.
The settings were well described.
All in all this was a very enjoyable chapter.
:) e
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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I'm glad I wasn't on that flight with all of it's turbulence and then a terribly rough landing. I was glad they landed!!
Your characters presented clearly with fine dialogue.
The settings were well described.
All in all this was a very enjoyable chapter.
:) e
Comment Written 15-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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Very many thanks, Ellen. I appreciate your encouraging words. I don't think I'd have enjoyed that flight much, either! All good wishes, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
"We had arrived." And so has the reader!
away from [flapping] ears. Must be a British expression, but makes one in the US think of Dumbo. Perhaps prying, snooping.
You have an excellent way of making the reader dislike certain people, like Bamforth.
Seems someone is always spilling liquids on Charles in awkward places :)
I like the reminder of the ominous markhor incident.
At long last, Pakistan and all that implies.
Well Done
Robert
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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Hello Tony,
"We had arrived." And so has the reader!
away from [flapping] ears. Must be a British expression, but makes one in the US think of Dumbo. Perhaps prying, snooping.
You have an excellent way of making the reader dislike certain people, like Bamforth.
Seems someone is always spilling liquids on Charles in awkward places :)
I like the reminder of the ominous markhor incident.
At long last, Pakistan and all that implies.
Well Done
Robert
Comment Written 15-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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Now that we?ve got there, I suspect that the action might move up a gear. Not quite sure what will happen to these two next, but I doubt it?ll be plain sailing. I shall have to think about those flapping ears - quite a common British idiom. Many thanks for the extra star. Great affirmation.
Comment from Pantygynt
I suppose air seasickness can afflict ex RAF flyers in much the same ay as some sailors are forever sufferers of the mal de mar.
why do I cat ch myself from time to time wondering about the genuineness of la belle Helene. I really wouldn't be surprised to find out eventually that she is on the side of the demons rather than the angels. i keep wondering if it is your intentention I should feel that way.
This continues to intrigue. Like Charles I do find Bamforth a bbuffon and had I not met buffoons in high places in the service myself i might be tempted to say his unbelievable. But I have, so I won't.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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I suppose air seasickness can afflict ex RAF flyers in much the same ay as some sailors are forever sufferers of the mal de mar.
why do I cat ch myself from time to time wondering about the genuineness of la belle Helene. I really wouldn't be surprised to find out eventually that she is on the side of the demons rather than the angels. i keep wondering if it is your intentention I should feel that way.
This continues to intrigue. Like Charles I do find Bamforth a bbuffon and had I not met buffoons in high places in the service myself i might be tempted to say his unbelievable. But I have, so I won't.
Comment Written 15-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2019
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La belle Helene - what a pair - I mean pear. Wickedly decadent.
I was miserably airsickness all through flying training, but when I moved to larger aircraft it seemed to disappear, except on bumpy low level sorties.
I must confess that the character of Bamforth is drawn partly from life. I?ve certainly come across a few pongos like that.
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Oh I bet the Bamforths still abound in the services. They are like iron fillings attracted to the magnet of service life.