The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 13 "The Dog Who Smokes"A Novel
29 total reviews
Comment from Gloria ....
I think the Dog Who Smokes is a terrific name, not sure why but it strikes my fancy.
Fun joke with the oysters and even funnier that it was coyly overlooked.
The subtexts are great fun.
This flows so well Tony and the build up is like a fine meal.
Excellente monsieur!
Gloria
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I think the Dog Who Smokes is a terrific name, not sure why but it strikes my fancy.
Fun joke with the oysters and even funnier that it was coyly overlooked.
The subtexts are great fun.
This flows so well Tony and the build up is like a fine meal.
Excellente monsieur!
Gloria
Comment Written 22-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I'm really appreciating your reviews, Gloria. So glad to hear that you are still enjoying the tale! All the best, Tony
Comment from lyenochka
Another interesting and entertaining chapter, Tony! I'm enjoying the depiction of modern French people so willing to speak English now. In the first half, I was a little lost as to who was speaking so could use a few more dialogue tags.
reply by the author on 22-Sep-2018
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Another interesting and entertaining chapter, Tony! I'm enjoying the depiction of modern French people so willing to speak English now. In the first half, I was a little lost as to who was speaking so could use a few more dialogue tags.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 22-Sep-2018
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Thanks, Helen. I obviously need to have another look to get the balance right. Someone else advised me that i had too many dialogue tags and to take some out. I must have overdone it! LOL
The English/French issue is a difficult one for me! I know from experience that French people are reluctant to speak in English, even if they can! However, writing for an English readership makes it awkward, again, to strike a balance.
Comment from Adri7enne
The story develops at a nice, leisurely pace. No rush, but fast enough to hold interest. Lots of humor and 'double entendres' throughout. Your characters are feeling comfortable with each other. It makes for pleasant reading. I like the sprinkling of French dialogue, too. One small typo in the French: "J'ai un travail POU toi." POUR
Good chapter, Tony. I'm enjoying this novel.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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The story develops at a nice, leisurely pace. No rush, but fast enough to hold interest. Lots of humor and 'double entendres' throughout. Your characters are feeling comfortable with each other. It makes for pleasant reading. I like the sprinkling of French dialogue, too. One small typo in the French: "J'ai un travail POU toi." POUR
Good chapter, Tony. I'm enjoying this novel.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I'm really appreciating your reviews, Adrienne. Thanks for picking up the edit - which I've now fixed. So glad to hear that you are still enjoying the tale! All the best, Tony
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi, Tony,
I really need to go back and read the earlier chapters - though even without any references, I was highly amused by the storyline.
Thank you for sharing. In order to follow this, I'm going to become a fan.
~MP~
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Hi, Tony,
I really need to go back and read the earlier chapters - though even without any references, I was highly amused by the storyline.
Thank you for sharing. In order to follow this, I'm going to become a fan.
~MP~
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I really appreciate your review, Patty. So glad to hear that you are enjoying the tale and that you have become a fan! All the best, Tony
Comment from Pantygynt
This is the name dropping episode. We start with a tricoteuse from Dicken's Tale of Two Cities and then go down market to Catherine Cooksons Mallen Trilogy to borrow a villain with a white streak in his hair. Monet gets in on the act and you give yourself a chance to air your French. Then you fall on your face because it is Giverny apparently not Giverney where those gardens are.
Did I miss anything?
Another gripping episode in which you get rid of the sex before breakfast and proceed straight to lunch and even the restaurant exists. You can find photos of it on Google Image.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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This is the name dropping episode. We start with a tricoteuse from Dicken's Tale of Two Cities and then go down market to Catherine Cooksons Mallen Trilogy to borrow a villain with a white streak in his hair. Monet gets in on the act and you give yourself a chance to air your French. Then you fall on your face because it is Giverny apparently not Giverney where those gardens are.
Did I miss anything?
Another gripping episode in which you get rid of the sex before breakfast and proceed straight to lunch and even the restaurant exists. You can find photos of it on Google Image.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I should have been able to get Giverny right - I was there a couple of months ago! Obviously not paying attention!
Yes, a bit of heavy lifting from Tale of Two Cities, but the white streak comes from a different direction. I needed to establish a hereditary connection going back through the generations and heterochromia does the trick. I haven't read Catherine Cookson's books. Any good?
My French is just about on a par with Churchill's - I'm chancing my arm with the Google translator now and then, which is a really good way of falling flat on my face!
Clearly, I am developing a tragic hero. Anyone who puts sex before breakfast has a fatal flaw.
Comment from Earl Corp
Since I've started in the middle I rate the chapter on it's own merits.
1. Characters develop within the chapter- check
2. Plot is easy to follow- check
3. Supplemental information such as cast of characters available- check
4. Anticipation of another installment-check
The title you chose was an attention getter, it's what drew me in. I'm interested to see if the solve the mystery behind the name. Good job.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Since I've started in the middle I rate the chapter on it's own merits.
1. Characters develop within the chapter- check
2. Plot is easy to follow- check
3. Supplemental information such as cast of characters available- check
4. Anticipation of another installment-check
The title you chose was an attention getter, it's what drew me in. I'm interested to see if the solve the mystery behind the name. Good job.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Thanks, Earl. I appreciate your comments. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from BeasPeas
This chapter of your story is at a good pace (as were the others). In this one we see the couple on their trek to the countryside, their car breaks down and they will be spending another night together which seems agreeable to both. Marilyn
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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This chapter of your story is at a good pace (as were the others). In this one we see the couple on their trek to the countryside, their car breaks down and they will be spending another night together which seems agreeable to both. Marilyn
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I'm really appreciating your reviews, Marilyn. So glad to hear that you are still enjoying the tale! All the best, Tony
Comment from LIJ Red
Excellent flow of action, and good character development. I almost bought a Fiat 500 in Brindisi in 1966, but being a junior enlisted man went for a used Rambler at half the price....now they swarm around here, in Georgia, USA, not looking vastly different than then at eight times the price....
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Excellent flow of action, and good character development. I almost bought a Fiat 500 in Brindisi in 1966, but being a junior enlisted man went for a used Rambler at half the price....now they swarm around here, in Georgia, USA, not looking vastly different than then at eight times the price....
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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I appreciate your review, Red. I'd go for a Rambler over a Fiat 500 any day! All the best, Tony
Comment from giraffmang
hi there,
Nice instalment once again.
"I could eat a horse! We missed breakfast this morning," I said. - famous last words here... I was served horse in France, not nice...
After all, these are the dog days of July, aren't they?. - you don't need the full stop / period following the question mark.
"That's not a problem," he said. "I have a tow truck. I'll get Claude to bring her in"
"Claude! Claude! Where the devil are you? I've got a job for you."- this doesn't really need to be in separate speech marks. Also, would he have not more likely spoken to Claude in French?
A suggestive choice of words indeed... lol
good stuff
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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hi there,
Nice instalment once again.
"I could eat a horse! We missed breakfast this morning," I said. - famous last words here... I was served horse in France, not nice...
After all, these are the dog days of July, aren't they?. - you don't need the full stop / period following the question mark.
"That's not a problem," he said. "I have a tow truck. I'll get Claude to bring her in"
"Claude! Claude! Where the devil are you? I've got a job for you."- this doesn't really need to be in separate speech marks. Also, would he have not more likely spoken to Claude in French?
A suggestive choice of words indeed... lol
good stuff
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2018
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Thanks for the review and suggestions, Gareth. On the money, as usual. Or, as Helen puts it, "On the Monet".
I've put the conversation with Claude into French, as you suggested, but am on dicey ground here as my schoolboy French is severely limited and the Google translator is notoriously dangerous. No doubt I'll be put right by some of the Canadians on site.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter. New useful information from the lady with the pink poodle and lunch at the dog who smokes restaurant. On the way to follow up on the information, bad luck strikes Fifi.
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2018
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A very well-written chapter. New useful information from the lady with the pink poodle and lunch at the dog who smokes restaurant. On the way to follow up on the information, bad luck strikes Fifi.
Comment Written 21-Sep-2018
reply by the author on 21-Sep-2018
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Thanks, Sandra. An accurate summary. Best wishes, Tony