The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 44 "The Old Bell"A Novel
29 total reviews
Comment from Treischel
I delighted in your description of the ride in a convertible, as I am an owner of one myself.
Your descriptions of the surroundings are astounding.
I smiled at the damsel comment and cheeky reference.
Clever comparison between the sad eyes between dog and the man.
A touching moment with the wife.
Overall a compelling chapter. Well written.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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I delighted in your description of the ride in a convertible, as I am an owner of one myself.
Your descriptions of the surroundings are astounding.
I smiled at the damsel comment and cheeky reference.
Clever comparison between the sad eyes between dog and the man.
A touching moment with the wife.
Overall a compelling chapter. Well written.
Comment Written 16-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Very many thanks, Tom. I was the proud owner of an MGB many years ago. It took me about six months to restore it to pristine condition, with considerable help from a couple of the groundcrew lads on the squadron. About six weeks later, I wrote it off, skidding on an icy corner. Such is life! Glad you are still enjoying this. I appreciate your support. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from WryWriter
This chapter is beyond worthy of a six star rating. I wish we had a choice of borrowing them when out. It paced just right to the sad news and afterwards. And, as usual, your expert ability of "painting" environment for the reader shone like a supernova. Great job!
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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This chapter is beyond worthy of a six star rating. I wish we had a choice of borrowing them when out. It paced just right to the sad news and afterwards. And, as usual, your expert ability of "painting" environment for the reader shone like a supernova. Great job!
Comment Written 16-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, WryWriter, and your very kind words. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Sandra Elizabeth Williams
I am reading your story writing for the first time and I must say I quite enjoyed these chapters. I am in such awe that there are so many talented writers here on FanStory.
As time allows I will read more of the chapters.
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I am reading your story writing for the first time and I must say I quite enjoyed these chapters. I am in such awe that there are so many talented writers here on FanStory.
As time allows I will read more of the chapters.
Comment Written 16-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your support, Sandra, and your very kind words. Best wishes, Tony
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You're very welcome
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Your last sentence sums up this chapter well, Tony. I enjoyed reading this one. You did a great job with the descriptive wording of the bar, the journey to his friend's house, and Bisto. This chapter must play an important role further down the line. Good job and thanks for sharing. Jan
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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Your last sentence sums up this chapter well, Tony. I enjoyed reading this one. You did a great job with the descriptive wording of the bar, the journey to his friend's house, and Bisto. This chapter must play an important role further down the line. Good job and thanks for sharing. Jan
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, Jan, and your comments. You are right, there's a reason for this chapter that will become apparent later. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from royowen
A very perceptive work Tony. I'm impressed with the intuitive and perceptive way you went about this work. Two old buddies together again, but as such, life isn't fair, and deals out random blows. Charles muses about his own perceptions, falling short of his friend's. David Brockenhurst is a fraud, Well done, blessings, Roy ,
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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A very perceptive work Tony. I'm impressed with the intuitive and perceptive way you went about this work. Two old buddies together again, but as such, life isn't fair, and deals out random blows. Charles muses about his own perceptions, falling short of his friend's. David Brockenhurst is a fraud, Well done, blessings, Roy ,
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, Roy, and your very kind words. Best wishes, Tony
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Welcome Tony
Comment from LIJ Red
One of those moments you would write out of life, if it were possible, getting such news from a friend or kin...lots of nostalgia here, and an excellent chapter...
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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One of those moments you would write out of life, if it were possible, getting such news from a friend or kin...lots of nostalgia here, and an excellent chapter...
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, Red, and your comments. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Ulla
Yeah, Tony, why did life always have to be so darned complicated?
So true. A fine statement to end a fine chapter in your book. I feel so sorry for his friend.
So Helen has really got under his skin. Now what? Great writing. All best. Ulla:))
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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Yeah, Tony, why did life always have to be so darned complicated?
So true. A fine statement to end a fine chapter in your book. I feel so sorry for his friend.
So Helen has really got under his skin. Now what? Great writing. All best. Ulla:))
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, Ulla, and your six-star award. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter. In times of crisis there are always someone there to help us through the rough times if we let them in to help us get through.
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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A very well-written chapter. In times of crisis there are always someone there to help us through the rough times if we let them in to help us get through.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, Sandra, and your comments. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Mastery
Hello, Tony. Good to see another chapter of the French Letter.
As usual, you display some fantastic imagery throughout. Like:
"There was a satisfying crunch of gravel as I drove along the avenue of linden trees. Their dappled shade splashed across the manicured lawns flanking the long driveway."
And here: This is exceptional, my friend: "As I drew up by the front door, the sweet, honeyed fragrance of phlox filled my nostrils. Several peacock butterflies flitted amongst the pink blossoms, their lovely eyespots a radiant blue against rust-coloured wings."
Suggestion: I feel sort of funny pointing this out and yet I would be remiss if I did not: In this paragraph, where you use the term, "poop poop" I felt that the expression lost it's effect by not simply saying "shit shit." Sometimes the swearing fairs much better than substitutes that do not have nearly the same punch.
Also: " . . . .myself from the car and stretching stiffly." (This is a case where the adverb definitely is not warranted.
"damned complicated would also have better effect, Tony.
Bless you, Bob
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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Hello, Tony. Good to see another chapter of the French Letter.
As usual, you display some fantastic imagery throughout. Like:
"There was a satisfying crunch of gravel as I drove along the avenue of linden trees. Their dappled shade splashed across the manicured lawns flanking the long driveway."
And here: This is exceptional, my friend: "As I drew up by the front door, the sweet, honeyed fragrance of phlox filled my nostrils. Several peacock butterflies flitted amongst the pink blossoms, their lovely eyespots a radiant blue against rust-coloured wings."
Suggestion: I feel sort of funny pointing this out and yet I would be remiss if I did not: In this paragraph, where you use the term, "poop poop" I felt that the expression lost it's effect by not simply saying "shit shit." Sometimes the swearing fairs much better than substitutes that do not have nearly the same punch.
Also: " . . . .myself from the car and stretching stiffly." (This is a case where the adverb definitely is not warranted.
"damned complicated would also have better effect, Tony.
Bless you, Bob
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, Bob, and your very kind words. The "poop, poop" in the previous chapter was an allusion to Mr Toad in Kenneth Grahame's classic, Wind in the Willows. Having made the comparison between The Willows and Toad Hall, I carried the allusion a bit further. In the original story, Toad was rapturously simulating the sound of a car horn. Best wishes, Tony
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Shows you how ignorant I am, Tony. Yikes! So sorry. Bob
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Shows you how ignorant I am, Tony. Yikes! So sorry. Bob
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It?s a very English story. Probably not particularly to the American taste.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Beautifully written, Tony. Your descriptions are perfect, your conversation with Bisto was the way I would expect it to be between two men. It's a difficult one. Well, we've learned that Brockenhurst is most definitely not who he says he is. So, who is he, and what is he after? That envelope has certainly taken Charles on an exciting journey. Another extremely well-written part, my friend. :)) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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Beautifully written, Tony. Your descriptions are perfect, your conversation with Bisto was the way I would expect it to be between two men. It's a difficult one. Well, we've learned that Brockenhurst is most definitely not who he says he is. So, who is he, and what is he after? That envelope has certainly taken Charles on an exciting journey. Another extremely well-written part, my friend. :)) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 16-Mar-2019
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I appreciate your continued support, Sandra, your very kind words, and the six stars. Best wishes, Tony