The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 36 "The Eurostar to England"A Novel
32 total reviews
Comment from Shirley E Kennedy
Another chapter begins another glimpse into the hidden life of Charles.
The pace seems to slow and mirror the respite he seeks to rest, process and recuperate.
The introduction of a fan suggests this may well not happen.
What next?
Blessings
Shirley
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
  |
Another chapter begins another glimpse into the hidden life of Charles.
The pace seems to slow and mirror the respite he seeks to rest, process and recuperate.
The introduction of a fan suggests this may well not happen.
What next?
Blessings
Shirley
Comment Written 27-Apr-2019
reply by the author on 28-Apr-2019
-
Thanks for your review of this, Shirley. You are right - I'm trying to vary the pace a bit from time to time. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from trimple
Dear Tony
Unfortunately, I haven't been on the site for quite some time now, and have missed your compelling story. The last time I reviewed these chapters, we were taken to Paris. Helen had her bag stolen...
just in time for the London rush hour. Ha ha ha.
She might well have been using me to sublimate a sin she had been schooled to view as unnatural. -- LOvely use of language, demonstrating your wonderful ability to show and not tell, in this line here.
which he had pressed a small white onion that bore an uncanny resemblance to the eye of a dead man--Fabulous description!
Oh how I loved this --
At length, we were disgorged, breaking out into the Garden of Eden, cobnut lanes of Kent with cockeyed oasts and fields of hops, orchards groaning with the promise of the cider press and golden pints in firelit English pubs. --
I was born in Kent, near Dartford, and funnily enough, now live next to the Edgeware-road, near Paddington :)
"I say, old chap. Sorry to intrude and all that, but it's Brandon, isn't it? Charles Brandon, the famous travel writer? Mind if I join you?"-- Oh how terribly English! :)
I noticed his signet ring had a boar's head on it, and sighed inwardly, hoping that he wouldn't turn out to be too much of a bore himself.-- wonderful!
Your poetic skills are so evident here in this chapter.
thank-you Tony
such a pleasure to read.
much love
tracey
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2019
 |
Dear Tony
Unfortunately, I haven't been on the site for quite some time now, and have missed your compelling story. The last time I reviewed these chapters, we were taken to Paris. Helen had her bag stolen...
just in time for the London rush hour. Ha ha ha.
She might well have been using me to sublimate a sin she had been schooled to view as unnatural. -- LOvely use of language, demonstrating your wonderful ability to show and not tell, in this line here.
which he had pressed a small white onion that bore an uncanny resemblance to the eye of a dead man--Fabulous description!
Oh how I loved this --
At length, we were disgorged, breaking out into the Garden of Eden, cobnut lanes of Kent with cockeyed oasts and fields of hops, orchards groaning with the promise of the cider press and golden pints in firelit English pubs. --
I was born in Kent, near Dartford, and funnily enough, now live next to the Edgeware-road, near Paddington :)
"I say, old chap. Sorry to intrude and all that, but it's Brandon, isn't it? Charles Brandon, the famous travel writer? Mind if I join you?"-- Oh how terribly English! :)
I noticed his signet ring had a boar's head on it, and sighed inwardly, hoping that he wouldn't turn out to be too much of a bore himself.-- wonderful!
Your poetic skills are so evident here in this chapter.
thank-you Tony
such a pleasure to read.
much love
tracey
Comment Written 24-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2019
-
Wonderful to hear from you, Tracey. Thank you so much for this glowing review and for the six stars. You have made my day. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Are you sure you're not just a poet in the guise of a mystery writer?
This is an excellent stream of dreamishness free-verse prose; it has a hypnotic effect.
One note:
You've repeated imagery in these two closely placed paragraphs:
rust encrusted blood, bile, black as night,
long forsaken trenches, black with bile against the rust encrusted red.
While great descriptions, you may want some variation.
This was a nice diversion from the problems facing Charles,
perhaps his subconscious mind will fit some pieces together.
Well done
Robert
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
Hello Tony,
Are you sure you're not just a poet in the guise of a mystery writer?
This is an excellent stream of dreamishness free-verse prose; it has a hypnotic effect.
One note:
You've repeated imagery in these two closely placed paragraphs:
rust encrusted blood, bile, black as night,
long forsaken trenches, black with bile against the rust encrusted red.
While great descriptions, you may want some variation.
This was a nice diversion from the problems facing Charles,
perhaps his subconscious mind will fit some pieces together.
Well done
Robert
Comment Written 23-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
I enjoyed writing this section, though - as Pantygynt pointed out - the style is a bit out of kilter with the rest of the narrative. On re-reading, I think you are probably right about the repeated imagery. I was trying to make an overt connection between the battlefields and the four 'humors' of the Greek's - in relation to the unbalanced humors in Charles's mind at the time, but I'm not sure it worked too well. I'll have another think about it.
Thanks very much for your encouraging words and six shining stars.
Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
-A very good chapter, Tony, that flows
smoothly, like the wheels on the train.
-It captures the inner thoughts of Charles
very well, and has vivid imagery.
-He certainly has a lot to come to terms with.
-His train companion doesn't sound like someone
you would want to be sitting next to, especially
with the description of his sandwich, alone!
-It sounds like Charles selected a good place
to have some lunch and clear his mind, but
then he is interrupted by Sir David.
-Now we wonder who he is and what
his connection with Charles will be.
-I don't think Charles is too
thrilled about the prospect.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
-A very good chapter, Tony, that flows
smoothly, like the wheels on the train.
-It captures the inner thoughts of Charles
very well, and has vivid imagery.
-He certainly has a lot to come to terms with.
-His train companion doesn't sound like someone
you would want to be sitting next to, especially
with the description of his sandwich, alone!
-It sounds like Charles selected a good place
to have some lunch and clear his mind, but
then he is interrupted by Sir David.
-Now we wonder who he is and what
his connection with Charles will be.
-I don't think Charles is too
thrilled about the prospect.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
Thanks, Pam. I appreciate the extra star! Not sure how you managed to conjure it up at this time of the week! LOL
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. It was one that I particularly enjoyed putting together, though perhaps it is stylistically a bit out kilter with the earlier chapters.
-
You are very welcome and deserving, Tony. I keep some stars in my back pocket! I liked the chapter, too, and I don't think it was out of sync stylistically.
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Very descriptive first paragraph that sets the tone for a great chapter Tony. In particular the baguette he was offered, made me smile, don't blame Charles for declining. Really enjoyed this one Tony, great write.
cheers.
valda
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
Very descriptive first paragraph that sets the tone for a great chapter Tony. In particular the baguette he was offered, made me smile, don't blame Charles for declining. Really enjoyed this one Tony, great write.
cheers.
valda
Comment Written 23-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
Thanks very much, Valda. As always, I appreciate your review and the extra star.
Comment from diamondbogle
I think this was really good. It had a lot of dynamic to it. Im a little late in the game on chapters but honestly I didn't feel left out of the story. I think it flowed nicely to.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
I think this was really good. It had a lot of dynamic to it. Im a little late in the game on chapters but honestly I didn't feel left out of the story. I think it flowed nicely to.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
Thanks very much, Diamondbogle. I appreciate your review and affirming comments. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from BCmiv781
Very well written. The flow of your writing seems effortless. The way you incorporated a taste of poetry was wonderful. I hope your book does well. Good luck
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
Very well written. The flow of your writing seems effortless. The way you incorporated a taste of poetry was wonderful. I hope your book does well. Good luck
Comment Written 22-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
Thanks very much, BCmiv781. I appreciate your review and affirming comments. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from lyenochka
Fabulous job with this, Tony! I especially enjoyed how you poetically interwove the emotional turmoil with the movements of the train. And we are about to embark on a new adventure it seems
It seems you have traveled the chunnel (I haven't) and I hope that Brexit never happens so that the traveling between the two countries won't be hampered!
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
Fabulous job with this, Tony! I especially enjoyed how you poetically interwove the emotional turmoil with the movements of the train. And we are about to embark on a new adventure it seems
It seems you have traveled the chunnel (I haven't) and I hope that Brexit never happens so that the traveling between the two countries won't be hampered!
Comment Written 22-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
Many thanks, Helen. I'm glad you enjoyed the slightly more poetic tone to the narrative of this chapter. I travelled through the Chunnel for the first time last July, but in the opposite direction and at dusk. It certainly makes the journey between London and Paris much easier than it used to be.
Comment from LIJ Red
You'll never Brexit as long as the Chunnel is open...the next Hitler can plan ahead and be sneaky and not be thwarted by a few miles of cold water and a handful of Spitfires...you'll have to fight him in the fields and in the hills---ah, got carried away. Excellent chapter.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
You'll never Brexit as long as the Chunnel is open...the next Hitler can plan ahead and be sneaky and not be thwarted by a few miles of cold water and a handful of Spitfires...you'll have to fight him in the fields and in the hills---ah, got carried away. Excellent chapter.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
You're right - Brexit and the Chunnel are at cross-purposes with one another. I doubt if invasion will be much of an issue, for it seems that modern Hitler's are home grown these days - the enemy is within.
Comment from BigPoppaJrock
Intriguing chapter, able to keep my attention from start to finish. Very smooth flow between interactions. Very nicely written and some amazing descriptions. Great job
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
|
Intriguing chapter, able to keep my attention from start to finish. Very smooth flow between interactions. Very nicely written and some amazing descriptions. Great job
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
-
Thanks very much, Big Poppa. I appreciate your review and affirming comments. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Tony.