Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 105 "The Road to Bumburet"
A Novel

25 total reviews 
Comment from w.j.debi
Excellent
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I like your use of metaphors to conjure up images such as the cloud wraiths and the city gent in a street brawl.
Excellent descriptions. You had me holding my breath on the perilous hair pin turns on the crumbling verge of a road.
Slowly, we are getting close to Helen.

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks for your comments about this chapter, Debi. Most affirming. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from juliaSjames
Excellent
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"into a deceptive bank of must" - why "deceptive"

"to a humble one-storey dwelling" - don't think " humble" is necessary in the context

Graphic descriptions help this chapter come alive. The question remains how can they rescue Helen? And what of the Lion?

Well written Tony.

Blessings Julia

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks for your suggestions, Julia. Both 'deceptive' and 'humble' are redundant, being obvious from the context. I've removed them.
    As always, I value your critical eye.
    Best wishes, Tony
reply by juliaSjames on 04-Jan-2020
    You're welcome Tony. Your descriptions are so vivid I'm wondering if you've lived in that part of the world.

    Julia
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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They carry on in their dangerous quest to rescue Helen, and they meet Helen and Kayla's Aunt, and two nieces. Aunt Mozama tells of Helen's capture and the difficult situation, not knowing if Helen is safe or not. They know that air strikes wouldn't help Helen, much. Well done Tony, an excellent episode, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks for your continued interest in this story, Roy. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony.
reply by royowen on 04-Jan-2020
    Welcome Tony
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
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Hi Tony. your story keeps me captivated. It's so well written and the ride through the mountains was described with such great skill. The hallmark of very good writing. But what has become of Helen? And where is it to go from here? All best. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks for your encouragement and support, Ulla. Appreciated, as always. A very happy New Year to you. Tony
reply by Ulla on 03-Jan-2020
    Happy New Year to you as well! Ihope you don't have too many fires where you are1
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
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I do believe Helen is in big trouble. I know she has a way of getting out of it. I sure hope you have helped her figure out a way, otherwise we're in for a rocky read. I do enjoy this novel.

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks for your encouragement and support, Barbara. Appreciated, as always. A very happy New Year to you. Tony
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Excellent
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That was a hairy trip over the mountain. I would have got out and walked! Your writing always puts us in the centre of the scene, Tony, with your fabulous descriptions. I don't envy Helen, what a position she's put herself in. I know it was to save the rest of the people there, but being taken away by men who have no regard for women, is something I don't think I could handle. Let's hope Charles and co; can find her soon. This was another excellent chapter, my friend, worthy of a six. Please accept a vitual six and I owe you one! :)) Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks, Sandra. Helen certainly seems to have got herself into a bit of strife. Still, she has a couple of knights in shining armour on the way!
Comment from damommy
Excellent
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Wow! The imagery of that perilous ride is amazing! It was so real. As for that wine they were served, it made my jaws pucker, too. So, even though they may be closer to finding Helen, they're still off on another adventure. I think I would like the aunt's house. 8-)

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks for your encouragement and support, Yvonne. Appreciated, as always. A very happy New Year to you. Tony
Comment from Iza Deleanu
Excellent
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I don't know how you do it, but your writing is so clean, and you manage to balance the description with the dialogue so well. You keep the readers on their toes: is Hellen safe? Will they bring her back unharmed? Thank you for sharing and good luck with the next chapter.

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks for your encouragement and support, Iza. Appreciated, as always. A very happy New Year to you. Tony
Comment from rspoet
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Tony,
I like the various elements of this excellent chapter.
The transition from the ominous mountain roads to the Shang-ra-la
appearance of the valley world.
Unfortunately that valley lies in the shadow of the Lion.
Wonderful description of the area and its people.
Good tension as we draw nearer to the appearance of Abdul Jaleel Zemar.
Well done
Hope you and family are safely distant the fires we read about.
Robert


 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    My first six of 2020. Thank you!
    We're OK at the moment. Fires have already burnt about a quarter of Kangaroo Island, one of Australia's premier tourist destinations and are still burning out of control there. Depending on wind direction, we are getting quite a bit of smoke pollution which isn't doing Wendy's asthma much good. 110F yesterday with 50 m.p.h. winds, so we've been hibernating.
Comment from Pantygynt
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Charles's profession as a travel writer shines through the mystery element of this chapter. I don't believe that is any bad thing, although the nearest I have been to Pakistan is the other end of the sub-continent in Sri Lanka I feel I can visualise the place pretty well from the descriptive writing, while the mystery continues. A good chapter to start the new year. Pity I am out of sixes.

 Comment Written 03-Jan-2020


reply by the author on 03-Jan-2020
    Thanks, Jim. I've never been there, either, but spent a bit of time in Nepal in the 1970s, ferrying Ghurkas to and fro. Most of these descriptions are from internet searches, Google Maps and YouTube videos. I'm mainly an armchair traveller these days.
reply by Pantygynt on 04-Jan-2020
    Research is certainly simpler these days.