The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 63 "The Three Horseshoes"A Novel
25 total reviews
Comment from LIJ Red
I stole a copper-toned spaniel. I took him home a number of times and he usually beat me back. My two spayed bitches had elected him alpha dog and nothing would keep him away. Excellent chapter.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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I stole a copper-toned spaniel. I took him home a number of times and he usually beat me back. My two spayed bitches had elected him alpha dog and nothing would keep him away. Excellent chapter.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Thanks for the review, Red. Appreciated.
Comment from Sankey
Great chapter and so glad we still have a SIX left for you. All of our wheelchair taxi drivers are ex Pakistan by the way. All Muslims as far as I know but several of them are quite Moderate I think. I kept forgetting Helen's origins. No spags, something else I meant to add might think of it in the other place.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Great chapter and so glad we still have a SIX left for you. All of our wheelchair taxi drivers are ex Pakistan by the way. All Muslims as far as I know but several of them are quite Moderate I think. I kept forgetting Helen's origins. No spags, something else I meant to add might think of it in the other place.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Thanks for your review, Geoffrey, and the affirmation of the sixth star. Appreciated. Tony.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter. We can travel to any place in the world but we will always feel happy when we are returning home. To meet with an old friend along the way is a good experience as well.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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A very well-written chapter. We can travel to any place in the world but we will always feel happy when we are returning home. To meet with an old friend along the way is a good experience as well.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Very many thanks for your review, Sandra. As you say, there?s no place like home. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Ulla
Oh my God, what can I say, Tony? Well I don't know what to say! It's uncanny. But before I do, I want to comment on this interesting chapter. I like it a lot, and now it's Helen's turn to be on foreign turf. As usual I wonder where it will go from here.
Well. I lived in Henley-on-Thames for almost ten years, and I know The Three Horseshoes so very well. Had many a good pub meal and spent some merry time there with good friends, before I moved up to Scotland and then to Spain. All best. Ulla:))
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Oh my God, what can I say, Tony? Well I don't know what to say! It's uncanny. But before I do, I want to comment on this interesting chapter. I like it a lot, and now it's Helen's turn to be on foreign turf. As usual I wonder where it will go from here.
Well. I lived in Henley-on-Thames for almost ten years, and I know The Three Horseshoes so very well. Had many a good pub meal and spent some merry time there with good friends, before I moved up to Scotland and then to Spain. All best. Ulla:))
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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What a coincidence! I?ve never been there but chose it for the story because it is advertised as ?dog friendly ? and it?s within easy walking distance of the station. I hope I caught the right kind of ambience! Thanks very much for the sixth star. Appreciated! Best wishes, Tony.
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You've caught the atmosphere very well. Yeah, it is strange that you should choose a pub I knew so well.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I am sure going to Hindu-Kush isn't a good idea for Helen. You already know I enjoy reading this story. It's great.
There was a pause before he continued. "Did you say 'we'? You and who else?" (comma needed after continued.)
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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I am sure going to Hindu-Kush isn't a good idea for Helen. You already know I enjoy reading this story. It's great.
There was a pause before he continued. "Did you say 'we'? You and who else?" (comma needed after continued.)
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Thanks , Barbara. It does seem to be a course of action fraught with danger. I hope it works out for them. Glad you?re still enjoying this. Many thanks for the sixth star. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from giraffmang
Hi Tony,
Very nice balance in this instalment, from the harsh reality of Hindu-Kush to the romanticised notions to the reality and normalcy with Bisto.
Lovely little language touches in there too.
excellent stuff
G
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Hi Tony,
Very nice balance in this instalment, from the harsh reality of Hindu-Kush to the romanticised notions to the reality and normalcy with Bisto.
Lovely little language touches in there too.
excellent stuff
G
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Thanks, G. Appreciated. Have just finished reading the new instalment of your story. Will review when I get home this evening. Loved the Transylvanian take-off!
Comment from juliaSjames
My favourite genre. I'm going to have fun reading myself in.
Meanwhile, this chapter is well written. Good character depiction. I already like Bisto, the friendly recluse. Biggles is a perfect name for his spaniel, transports me back to childhood reading!
Tiny details such as the sonorous crystal wine glass lend dimension to the write.
Slow intimate chapter, with hints of the action ahead.
Blessings, Julia
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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My favourite genre. I'm going to have fun reading myself in.
Meanwhile, this chapter is well written. Good character depiction. I already like Bisto, the friendly recluse. Biggles is a perfect name for his spaniel, transports me back to childhood reading!
Tiny details such as the sonorous crystal wine glass lend dimension to the write.
Slow intimate chapter, with hints of the action ahead.
Blessings, Julia
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Lovely review, Julia. So glad you enjoyed this chapter. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. All the best, Tony
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You're welcome, Tony. Have a great day.
Comment from Pantygynt
Those old friendships that date back to our days in the armed services are always interesting. They can lie dormant for years and then be picked up again as if there had been no intervening time at all. I shall shortly be attending an RM reunion -- sixty years since we joined and ten years since the last one but I know we will pick it up as if it were yesterday.
The nickname too, Bisto 'like gravy. Rich and thick. Upside-down British humour.' I remember a man we all called 'Taps'. He revelled in it knowing full well it stood for Thick As Pig Shit.
I could definitely identify with this episode.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Those old friendships that date back to our days in the armed services are always interesting. They can lie dormant for years and then be picked up again as if there had been no intervening time at all. I shall shortly be attending an RM reunion -- sixty years since we joined and ten years since the last one but I know we will pick it up as if it were yesterday.
The nickname too, Bisto 'like gravy. Rich and thick. Upside-down British humour.' I remember a man we all called 'Taps'. He revelled in it knowing full well it stood for Thick As Pig Shit.
I could definitely identify with this episode.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Jim. Glad you enjoyed it. 'Taps' is a new one on me. Very good. I've known one or two people who could wear that moniker!
Comment from royowen
At last it seems that Helen and Charles are getting close, and Helen is pleased Charles is coming with her to Pakistan . The go the England to Charles good friend Bisto, and Biggles the dog, loves Helen. Hope is a marvellous thing, great episode, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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At last it seems that Helen and Charles are getting close, and Helen is pleased Charles is coming with her to Pakistan . The go the England to Charles good friend Bisto, and Biggles the dog, loves Helen. Hope is a marvellous thing, great episode, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Roy. I appreciate your summary and comments. All the best, Tony
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A pleasure Tony,
Comment from Alex Rosel
This excerpt is up to your usual standard. The narrative moves the plot along in a timely fashion. :)
Here are a few points you might like to consider@
"Perhaps. But we are a tricky folk, master, and don't take kindly to being rubbed the wrong way." -- a nice snippet of dialogue. It adds a little to the characterization :)
I leaned forward and rubbed my finger around the rim of her wine glass. It emitted a musical hum. -- I think your narrative might benefit from a bit of variation. If this was mine, I might look to revise this to something like, I leaned forward and rubbed my finger around the rim of her wine glass. A musical hum filtered up into the space between us, a common focus point. Just a thought.
and been heartily pleased when everyone left[,] and he could return to his beloved garden -- spag? Personally, I'd nix the comma.
Without her leavening influence, I imagined that he would simply shut himself off from the world, becoming more and more of a recluse. -- A pernickety point, here. I imagined is indicative of the past. Whereas, he would is indicative of the future. It's a disjoint for me. So I'd revise this to make the tenses consistent. Something like, Without her leavening influence, I imagined he'd simply shut himself off from the world, become more and more of a recluse.
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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This excerpt is up to your usual standard. The narrative moves the plot along in a timely fashion. :)
Here are a few points you might like to consider@
"Perhaps. But we are a tricky folk, master, and don't take kindly to being rubbed the wrong way." -- a nice snippet of dialogue. It adds a little to the characterization :)
I leaned forward and rubbed my finger around the rim of her wine glass. It emitted a musical hum. -- I think your narrative might benefit from a bit of variation. If this was mine, I might look to revise this to something like, I leaned forward and rubbed my finger around the rim of her wine glass. A musical hum filtered up into the space between us, a common focus point. Just a thought.
and been heartily pleased when everyone left[,] and he could return to his beloved garden -- spag? Personally, I'd nix the comma.
Without her leavening influence, I imagined that he would simply shut himself off from the world, becoming more and more of a recluse. -- A pernickety point, here. I imagined is indicative of the past. Whereas, he would is indicative of the future. It's a disjoint for me. So I'd revise this to make the tenses consistent. Something like, Without her leavening influence, I imagined he'd simply shut himself off from the world, become more and more of a recluse.
Comment Written 04-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Alex. As always, some good comments here. I have made a couple of adjustments and am considering others. I appreciate your input. Best wishes, Tony
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Thanks, Alex. As always, some good comments here. I have made a couple of adjustments and am considering others. I appreciate your input. Best wishes, Tony