Reviews from

The French Letter

Viewing comments for Chapter 44 "The Old Bell"
A Novel

29 total reviews 
Comment from JudyE
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I'm enjoying these episodes/chapters and didn't pick up anything that needed consideration so I have no suggestions to make. Have you written the whole book already or are you putting it up here as you write?

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Many thanks for reading and reviewing my story, Judy. I appreciate your kind comments. I'm posting each chapter as I write it, so this is essentially a first draft of the book. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Great descriptions as Charles pull into The Willows and also an emotional scene as Bisto tells of his Jenny's cancer. Loved the scene with Biggles giving comfort. well written Tony. Charles mixed up thoughts to end the chapter made a good finish off.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    I appreciate your six star award for this chapter, Valda. Most generous. I'm delighted that you found the emotion authentic. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from lyenochka
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Yes, why does life have to be so complicated? But it is and your conveyed that well with Charles' considerate feeling that something was wrong with his friend and it's a sorrow that only his dog could more adequately offer comfort. Well done as always. Loved all the wonderful nature descriptions including the butterflies.

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Very many thanks, Helen. Another award of six stars! You are most generous. Delighted that you are still finding my story interesting. That's most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from krys123
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Cheers, Tony;
> Again, I was truly entertained by the lavishly worded Post that you have written here.
>This posting is exceptional in the way it holds your attention of building And surrounding the characters with tidbits of vital information that creates and forms the character's Identity.
>I enjoyed The Humanistic introduction of Biggles the dog was a nice touch.
> In this line I would be used "puttered about" >["...for pottering about on the river,"]
>Thank you for sharing, Johnny and thanks for the entertainment.
Alx

 Comment Written 17-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Very many thanks, Alx. Another award of six stars! You are too generous. Delighted that you are still finding my story entertaining. That's most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
reply by krys123 on 19-Mar-2019
    Oh, you are welcome, Tony.
    Alx
Comment from shaffer40
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Stellar writing; not an error to be found. Another interesting chapter in what promises to be an engrossing novel. Real sounding dialogue, and the interaction with the dog is charming.

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Very many thanks, shaffer40. Another award of six stars! You are very generous. Delighted that you are still finding my story entertaining. That's most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from RGstar
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

My first read of this Tony, so have to come up to speed. Nicely in already with the aura of characters...always a good sign. Hope to come into it a little more in the future. Sad to hear the news about Brooke, even a mention for M Cahil.

Hope all is well.
My best wishes
RG

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Very many thanks, Roy. I appreciate your comments about the characterisation. As you say, sad news indeed about both Brooke and Michael. Brooke, in particular, was most helpful and kind to me when I first joined FanStory. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Gloria ....
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I have fallen so far behind in your novel, but this chapter is fantastic. I very much enjoyed the opening with the colours and scents and overall tone.

Lots of ground covered in just the right pace. I'm not so sure women are better at that kind of thing, but perhaps I'm wrong.

Impressive work here.

Gloria


 Comment Written 16-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Very many thanks, Gloria. Another award of six stars! You are more than generous. Delighted that, even after a break of a few chapters, you are still finding my story entertaining. That's most affirming! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from estory
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

The complications of life distract Charles from his digging into Brockhurst and his duty to Kayla and Helen and the trouble they are in. An old friend's wife is dying of cancer, and his friend needs someone to help him through his grief. I think all that grief comes through nicely when he snaps back at Charles as he offers condolences. It is all pretty realistic. the tension could be cut with a knife here. Sharp dialogue serves as the mechanism for all this, and it is well crafted and very realistic. The mystery of Brockhurst seems to deepen, and hangs in the air in the background. estory

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Thanks, estary, for your concise summary and comments. Much appreciated, as always. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from rspoet
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Tony,
This is another excellent chapter that rivets the story into reality.
Life can come crashing down sometimes.
Excellent descriptions and nice connection back to Helen.
Bistro and Biggles, those are two names one doesn't often hear.
It seems Brockenhurst's guise is falling away piece by piece.
It should be interesting to find out who he is and what his game is.
Well done, enjoying the story.
Robert

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Thanks, Robert, for your kind comments and the sixth star. Appreciated, as always. All will be revealed in the next chapter. Well, perhaps not quite all! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

-Another excellent chapter, Tony,
and very good artwork, too.
-You show tenderness and
emotion in this one, which
I would think is not easy to write.
-It's like Charles said, "What do you
say at a time like this?"
-I was really moved when Bisto
told Charles about his wife
who doesn't have long to live
after the diagnosis of cancer.
-He is so full of grief, which is
natural. You caused me to suspend
belief about a character and
feel the pain this situation caused.
-You even show the love and
concern of Biggles-you should
have made him a miniature Schnauzer!
-Your description is excellent; you keep
Brockenhurst in the picture as we assume
he is a fraud, and of course, there is
Charles and his thoughts of Helen and Kayla!
-Well done.

 Comment Written 16-Mar-2019


reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
    Thanks, Pam. I'm so glad that the pathos came through realistically. A few re-writes involved there! As always, I appreciate the sixth star. Miniature Schnauzer? Hmmm? I wouldn't want to give the impression that any of this is autobiographical. LOL
reply by Pam (respa) on 17-Mar-2019
    You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Tony. I am sure those emotional scenes weren't easy, but you did them well.

    At first, I didn't think you identified what Biggles was, but I went back and looked. You missed your chance to plug such a cute little dog, but spaniels are nice, too.🙂