The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 36 "The Eurostar to England"A Novel
32 total reviews
Comment from Spitfire
The poet in you comes out here with the elegant description of the train ride in the first paragraph. The dream mirrors his feelings toward Helen's sexual orientation. Humorous play on words with 'boar' and 'bore'.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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The poet in you comes out here with the elegant description of the train ride in the first paragraph. The dream mirrors his feelings toward Helen's sexual orientation. Humorous play on words with 'boar' and 'bore'.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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Thanks for this review, Shari. I'm glad you enjoyed the slightly more poetic tone to the narrative of this chapter. All the best, Tony
Comment from kiwijenny
I enjoyed this immensely. I have never been on the Chunnel so I enjoyed the trip vicariously.
But my dad is from Kent and I have visited once. It is beautiful. You became more English as you described the gardens and food. I am from the antipodes with strong strong ties to England. I love it and how you write.
God bless
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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I enjoyed this immensely. I have never been on the Chunnel so I enjoyed the trip vicariously.
But my dad is from Kent and I have visited once. It is beautiful. You became more English as you described the gardens and food. I am from the antipodes with strong strong ties to England. I love it and how you write.
God bless
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Jenny. I have happy memories of hop picking in Kent years ago, not far from Sissinghurst. A lovely part of the world.
Comment from Mastery
Hello, my friend. This is an excellent addition to your book.
I liked this very much: "The copper pot on the stove is more honoured by boiling broth than by hanging from its hook over the range, an onlooker in life's kitchen."
And: This is writing at its best: "With a sinuous sway, the train raced past long straight roads, poplar lined, erect and pencil thin, grey-green against the swathes of ripening corn. They suggested columns of marching soldiers, and memories of the Somme. I watched the poppies nod and nudge against the scars of long forsaken trenches, black with bile against the rust encrusted red."
Great job, my friend. Bob
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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Hello, my friend. This is an excellent addition to your book.
I liked this very much: "The copper pot on the stove is more honoured by boiling broth than by hanging from its hook over the range, an onlooker in life's kitchen."
And: This is writing at its best: "With a sinuous sway, the train raced past long straight roads, poplar lined, erect and pencil thin, grey-green against the swathes of ripening corn. They suggested columns of marching soldiers, and memories of the Somme. I watched the poppies nod and nudge against the scars of long forsaken trenches, black with bile against the rust encrusted red."
Great job, my friend. Bob
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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Many thanks, Bob, both for your review and for the generous award of a sixth star. I'm glad you enjoyed the slightly more poetic tone to the narrative in this chapter. All the best, Tony
Comment from Treischel
A memorable starting sentence "There is no turning back on the path of iron."
And very colorful first paragraph.
You poetic desciptions continue throughout the ride. I smile at each.
Your descriptions of Kent no less ebullient.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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A memorable starting sentence "There is no turning back on the path of iron."
And very colorful first paragraph.
You poetic desciptions continue throughout the ride. I smile at each.
Your descriptions of Kent no less ebullient.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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Many thanks, Tom. I'm glad you enjoyed the slightly more poetic tone to the narrative in this chapter. All the best, Tony
Comment from Pantygynt
This episode opens with a magnificent double entendre of a metaphorical description of Charles' journey and the two new characters he meets serve to spotlight the generally accepted national differences between the French and the British.
The quality of the prose is on a totally different and elevated level from that experienced previously. I think when this is finished, should you wish to take it further, and I think you should, it is going to need extensive revision if only to unify the style of all the various chapters. I intend to give this episode a six star grading because it is frankly so beautiful, but I am not sure it fits tidilly into the gestalt of this mysterious jigsaw puzzle.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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This episode opens with a magnificent double entendre of a metaphorical description of Charles' journey and the two new characters he meets serve to spotlight the generally accepted national differences between the French and the British.
The quality of the prose is on a totally different and elevated level from that experienced previously. I think when this is finished, should you wish to take it further, and I think you should, it is going to need extensive revision if only to unify the style of all the various chapters. I intend to give this episode a six star grading because it is frankly so beautiful, but I am not sure it fits tidilly into the gestalt of this mysterious jigsaw puzzle.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Jim. You're right about extensive revision and editing being necessary before this book is ready for me to submit to a publisher. Whether I take that final, arduous step remains a matter of conjecture at this stage. I rather doubt it will be publishable, no matter what I do to it. As with most novels, I suspect that it will end up as being a curiosity for the amusement of friends and family.
I'm glad you enjoyed the slightly more poetic approach to the narrative of this chapter and I appreciate the sixth star.
Comment from estory
I thought it was a good chapter. The descriptions of the train ride were excellent, you really captured that mood of melancholy and the mechanics of the mind thinking during the journey, while the poplar trees flash by the windows. Charles is unsettled by the relationship with Helen and his misplaced feelings, and trying to reconcile them. The personality of the travel writer comes through in colorful descriptions of the seafood and wine in the Oyster bar, as he tries to put the unsettling relationship behind him, and instead is introduced to a new, mysterious character. The suspense is growing again....estory
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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I thought it was a good chapter. The descriptions of the train ride were excellent, you really captured that mood of melancholy and the mechanics of the mind thinking during the journey, while the poplar trees flash by the windows. Charles is unsettled by the relationship with Helen and his misplaced feelings, and trying to reconcile them. The personality of the travel writer comes through in colorful descriptions of the seafood and wine in the Oyster bar, as he tries to put the unsettling relationship behind him, and instead is introduced to a new, mysterious character. The suspense is growing again....estory
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2019
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Thanks very much, estory. As always, I appreciate your review and affirming comments. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter, on the way home many thoughts go around in the mind and even the circumstances cause nightmares when sleeping about what could happen if things go worse.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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A very well-written chapter, on the way home many thoughts go around in the mind and even the circumstances cause nightmares when sleeping about what could happen if things go worse.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Thank you, Sandra. I appreciate your review and comments. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from krys123
Cheers, Tony;
> Pardon me while I interject, Tony before I begin the obvious honor being entertained by writing...
> I never been to the tunnel from France to England and I've heard a lot about it and I've seen a lot of pictures but to hear from someone who is been there, and that's if you have, and the way you wrote this I got a good picture of what it was like, but to be honest I thought would been more spectacular. Of course, for me it would be the first time?
>~"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."
>What was it like when you initially come out of the tunnel or is it always lit when you're going through?
>Any who? I really enjoyed the descriptive imagery that was demonstratively expressed through how Brandon or Charles felt about being home, but I didn't get that spectacular, actual, exploding out of the tunnel feel, but very close to it.
>I'll have to be more on it.
> It said that Charles found out about Helen's bisexuality and I could, where it's just like being jilted. Like your tagalong puppy used for the other person's convenience. Yes, Charles has got a lot of thinking to do and later, maybe get some more intricate and imformative answers about Jeanne and Helen and how low has it been going on?
>Charles probably is confused, because he knows Helen is getting back into the frying pan ,if she hangs around with Jeanne.
> Thanks for a great read and fantastic entertainment, Tony,take care and have a good one mate.
Alx
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Cheers, Tony;
> Pardon me while I interject, Tony before I begin the obvious honor being entertained by writing...
> I never been to the tunnel from France to England and I've heard a lot about it and I've seen a lot of pictures but to hear from someone who is been there, and that's if you have, and the way you wrote this I got a good picture of what it was like, but to be honest I thought would been more spectacular. Of course, for me it would be the first time?
>~"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."
>What was it like when you initially come out of the tunnel or is it always lit when you're going through?
>Any who? I really enjoyed the descriptive imagery that was demonstratively expressed through how Brandon or Charles felt about being home, but I didn't get that spectacular, actual, exploding out of the tunnel feel, but very close to it.
>I'll have to be more on it.
> It said that Charles found out about Helen's bisexuality and I could, where it's just like being jilted. Like your tagalong puppy used for the other person's convenience. Yes, Charles has got a lot of thinking to do and later, maybe get some more intricate and imformative answers about Jeanne and Helen and how low has it been going on?
>Charles probably is confused, because he knows Helen is getting back into the frying pan ,if she hangs around with Jeanne.
> Thanks for a great read and fantastic entertainment, Tony,take care and have a good one mate.
Alx
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Very many thanks for your supportive review and six-star award, Alx. I?ve only been through the Channel Tunnel in the other direction, travelling from London to Paris, and that was in the late evening just before nightfall, so this chapter is drawn from my imagination and from my knowledge of the Kent countryside.
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Yes, Tony you describing the countryside was precious in setting the gentle imagery that the English countryside presented Charles. Thanks for your reply, Tony, and thank you for your wonderful entertainment.
Alx
Comment from Rob Caudle
A fine piece of literature here Tony. I found my self reading it and letting it simmer before I returned to comment. We have a bit of mystery with our new friend from Eaton loved this bit. The copper pot on the stove is more honoured by boiling broth than by hanging from its hook over the range, an onlooker in life's kitchen.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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A fine piece of literature here Tony. I found my self reading it and letting it simmer before I returned to comment. We have a bit of mystery with our new friend from Eaton loved this bit. The copper pot on the stove is more honoured by boiling broth than by hanging from its hook over the range, an onlooker in life's kitchen.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Glad you enjoyed it, Rob. Thanks very much for dropping by to read and review. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
I enjoyed reading this chapter, Tony. You did a good job with it and the storyline. Your words are filled with great descriptive phrases. I felt like I was on the train watching the passing scenery. I like how you wove the thoughts of Charles into the lines along with great imagery of the setting and his thoughts of what he left behind. Interesting character at the end. Should provide for some great reading of the next chapter. Thanks for sharing. Jan
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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I enjoyed reading this chapter, Tony. You did a good job with it and the storyline. Your words are filled with great descriptive phrases. I felt like I was on the train watching the passing scenery. I like how you wove the thoughts of Charles into the lines along with great imagery of the setting and his thoughts of what he left behind. Interesting character at the end. Should provide for some great reading of the next chapter. Thanks for sharing. Jan
Comment Written 20-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Many thanks for your supportive comments, Jan. I appreciate your continued engagement with my story. All the best, Tony.