The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 36 "The Eurostar to England"A Novel
32 total reviews
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello Tony!
An exceptionally well-written chapter. I found your description especially engaging such as the following: Soon the hollyhocks and climbing roses of Kent cottage gardens gave way to the grey, amorphous sprawl of London. The train tunnelled like a tapeworm into the entrails of the East End and the Thames dockland, before emerging triumphantly and coming to rest in the majestic upper concourse of St Pancras Station.
Having been to England twice, I felt as if I was standing there right along beside you.
Other subtle descriptions throughout also added to the fact that your writing is very engaging. I look forward to the next chapter!
Thank you!
diane
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Hello Tony!
An exceptionally well-written chapter. I found your description especially engaging such as the following: Soon the hollyhocks and climbing roses of Kent cottage gardens gave way to the grey, amorphous sprawl of London. The train tunnelled like a tapeworm into the entrails of the East End and the Thames dockland, before emerging triumphantly and coming to rest in the majestic upper concourse of St Pancras Station.
Having been to England twice, I felt as if I was standing there right along beside you.
Other subtle descriptions throughout also added to the fact that your writing is very engaging. I look forward to the next chapter!
Thank you!
diane
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Diane, for your review and six-star award. Most affirming! I'm delighted that the descriptions came across in a way that you could relate to. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from royowen
Some great circumstance induced thought processes in the mind and daydreams of key character Charles Brandon, as he wends his way to England via the Chunnel, an excellent lmage driven episode, culminatingin the reluctant meeting of the said, Sir David Brockenhurdt, an Etonian, well done Tony, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Some great circumstance induced thought processes in the mind and daydreams of key character Charles Brandon, as he wends his way to England via the Chunnel, an excellent lmage driven episode, culminatingin the reluctant meeting of the said, Sir David Brockenhurdt, an Etonian, well done Tony, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Many thanks for your review, Roy, and for your continued support. Very much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
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Most welcome
Comment from TheStoryMan
This is a well written chapter. It makes me wonder just what Brochenhurst has to say and whether it has anything to do with the French letter. There were no spelling or grammar errors and no typos.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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This is a well written chapter. It makes me wonder just what Brochenhurst has to say and whether it has anything to do with the French letter. There were no spelling or grammar errors and no typos.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Many thanks for your review, Storyman. Much appreciated. Tony
Comment from Tootsie55
Definitely needed a SIX which I still happened to have available. Are you familiar with an old 78RPM Record called "Trains?" Carson Robeson, I think he was, dictates descriptions of different trains in different countries and so on. I have a recording interested. Can't remember if I have an e-mail for you write me at sankey48@yahoo.com.au I got up late one night as I heard this recording come on the radio I missed the first part so I vocalised the beginning myself.
I love the descriptive storytelling the copper pot hanging over the stove versus boiling broth etc
What is this word? "Chunnel?" AN FS furphy...sparkling Ros�©
after having made [make] his interest known to me.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Definitely needed a SIX which I still happened to have available. Are you familiar with an old 78RPM Record called "Trains?" Carson Robeson, I think he was, dictates descriptions of different trains in different countries and so on. I have a recording interested. Can't remember if I have an e-mail for you write me at sankey48@yahoo.com.au I got up late one night as I heard this recording come on the radio I missed the first part so I vocalised the beginning myself.
I love the descriptive storytelling the copper pot hanging over the stove versus boiling broth etc
What is this word? "Chunnel?" AN FS furphy...sparkling Ros�©
after having made [make] his interest known to me.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Many thanks for your review, Tootsie, and for the six-star award. Much appreciated.
'Chunnel' is a common way in England of talking about the Ch(annel T)unnel. It's not just the Aussies that abbreviate their words!
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I did figure Chunnel was some sort of combination abbreviation between tunnel and channel. Not surprised.
Comment from giraffmang
Hi Tony,
That's a fantastic opening paragraph to this instalment. Gives the piece a real feel of motion, mirrored in the mind of Charles as well as the event itself, which transcends into the rest of the instalment. Very nice.
down among poppies bleeding sap - you may need an apostrophe for poppies here.
I recued my overnight case from the luggage rack - rescued?
asked for a large glass of sparkling Ros�© - needs edited for code.
woodwork again after having made make his interest known to me. - delete make from here.
All the best
G
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Hi Tony,
That's a fantastic opening paragraph to this instalment. Gives the piece a real feel of motion, mirrored in the mind of Charles as well as the event itself, which transcends into the rest of the instalment. Very nice.
down among poppies bleeding sap - you may need an apostrophe for poppies here.
I recued my overnight case from the luggage rack - rescued?
asked for a large glass of sparkling Ros�© - needs edited for code.
woodwork again after having made make his interest known to me. - delete make from here.
All the best
G
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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I posted this one sometime after midnight. I should have waited till morning and cast my eyes over it once more before releasing it. Thanks for the catches. All fixed now. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from damommy
Wow, Tony. The first part of this story was written in poetic prose. Lovely and vivid. Now, I'm wondering where Brockenhurst fits in. Was he waiting for Charles? Is he part of the Jeanne's scheme? I'll stay tuned to find out. 8-)
-I re[s]cued my overnight case (this is the first error I've ever seen you make!)
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Wow, Tony. The first part of this story was written in poetic prose. Lovely and vivid. Now, I'm wondering where Brockenhurst fits in. Was he waiting for Charles? Is he part of the Jeanne's scheme? I'll stay tuned to find out. 8-)
-I re[s]cued my overnight case (this is the first error I've ever seen you make!)
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Yvonne. I wasn't sure if I'd perhaps gone over the top with all the alliteration, assonance and other poetic devices! Thanks for your positive comments, and for the catch, which I've now fixed. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from barbara.wilkey
This new character seems interesting. I wonder what he wants. I'm sure he wouldn't introduce himself unless he was important. I still am in hopes Helen turns up again.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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This new character seems interesting. I wonder what he wants. I'm sure he wouldn't introduce himself unless he was important. I still am in hopes Helen turns up again.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Very many thanks for your review and six-star award, Barbara. Much appreciated. I suspect that Helen may not be relegated to the background for long! All the best, Tony
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
There is some lovely imagery of the Kent countryside, Tony, I used to live in the Medways' - Gillingham, and used to go with my mum hop picking with other children and their mums in the school holidays. Fun times.
You made an otherwise boring train ride really interesting with the dreams and the man opposite. I have an idea that Charles will soon be going back for Helen, and I'm wondering if this man might have something to do with it. Well done, my friend, another well written part. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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There is some lovely imagery of the Kent countryside, Tony, I used to live in the Medways' - Gillingham, and used to go with my mum hop picking with other children and their mums in the school holidays. Fun times.
You made an otherwise boring train ride really interesting with the dreams and the man opposite. I have an idea that Charles will soon be going back for Helen, and I'm wondering if this man might have something to do with it. Well done, my friend, another well written part. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Lovely review, as always, Sandra. Now that Helen has been relegated to the background for a while, I may start getting your name right again! LOL
My mother lived in East Sussex for many years and I know that part of Southern England quite well. I, too, have fond memories of hop-picking in Kent when I was a lad. It was on a farm not far from Sissinghurst Castle. I tried apple picking, too, but the professional pickers left me for dead.
Comment from apky
A very descriptive chapter, with poignant insights of Charles' emotional state of mind. Even the dreams were so vividly I could sympathise with the good fellow. Now I'm curious to find out exactly how Sir David Brockenhurst comes to be a fan of Charles'.
Excellent writing, as I've come to expect from you, Tony.
One rushes through the landscape in madcap motion(delete-.; add-,) borne by grappled and grinding wheels, locked on parallel lines, inevitably impelled.
Hoping, in fact, that he'd sink back into the woodwork again after having made (delete-make) his interest known to me.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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A very descriptive chapter, with poignant insights of Charles' emotional state of mind. Even the dreams were so vividly I could sympathise with the good fellow. Now I'm curious to find out exactly how Sir David Brockenhurst comes to be a fan of Charles'.
Excellent writing, as I've come to expect from you, Tony.
One rushes through the landscape in madcap motion(delete-.; add-,) borne by grappled and grinding wheels, locked on parallel lines, inevitably impelled.
Hoping, in fact, that he'd sink back into the woodwork again after having made (delete-make) his interest known to me.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Aki. I appreciate the review and the edits. I posted this late at night and should perhaps have waited till morning and cast my eye over it again before releasing it.
Comment from WryWriter
Ah, and life is a gamble but this chapter isn't. It's a winner all around. I am in awe at your ability to weave descriptive words and keep the "flow" of the story moving. I so enjoy reading your work. One suggestion for your consideration:
I am somewhat of a fan of yours, in a roundabout kind of way."
I am a fan of yours, in a roundabout kind of way."
(Doesn't the end of this sentence basically say the same thing as "somewhat of a fan"?
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Ah, and life is a gamble but this chapter isn't. It's a winner all around. I am in awe at your ability to weave descriptive words and keep the "flow" of the story moving. I so enjoy reading your work. One suggestion for your consideration:
I am somewhat of a fan of yours, in a roundabout kind of way."
I am a fan of yours, in a roundabout kind of way."
(Doesn't the end of this sentence basically say the same thing as "somewhat of a fan"?
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2019
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Many thanks for your kind review and six-star award. Most affirming. I agree with you about Sir David's circumlocution. He's a bit of a pompous ass and probably overfond of the sound of his own voice, but I've trimmed out the 'kind of' to improve the flow a bit.