The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 73 "A Diamond in the Rough"A Novel
22 total reviews
Comment from damommy
So close to reading the letter. What was it that made Kayla react now? Alain is certainly a disagreeable person, and it's wonderful that Charles wants to help him in spite of that. I eagerly await the next chapter.
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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So close to reading the letter. What was it that made Kayla react now? Alain is certainly a disagreeable person, and it's wonderful that Charles wants to help him in spite of that. I eagerly await the next chapter.
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Many thanks for your review and supportive comments, Yvonne. Much appreciated. You are right - Alain doesn't do anything to endear himself to people! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Are we never going to find out what's in this letter??? Oh my, you are such a tease. I do love this story. I think it's my favorite on FS. Great job of writing, with great characters.
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Are we never going to find out what's in this letter??? Oh my, you are such a tease. I do love this story. I think it's my favorite on FS. Great job of writing, with great characters.
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Many thanks for your review and lovely comments, Barbara. Much appreciated, as is the six-star award. I'm beginning to wonder what's in this letter, too! LOL Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
Well poop! I'm dying to know what the letter says and you snatch it from me at the last second LOL. Excellent place to close this chapter. I feel so bad for Alain. A good man at heart getting knocked around by life. Your use of Helen as the mediating factor is well executed. Well done and thank you very much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Well poop! I'm dying to know what the letter says and you snatch it from me at the last second LOL. Excellent place to close this chapter. I feel so bad for Alain. A good man at heart getting knocked around by life. Your use of Helen as the mediating factor is well executed. Well done and thank you very much for sharing it.
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Many thanks for your review and comments about the characterisation, Monica. Much appreciated. I'm beginning to wonder what's in this letter, too! LOL Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
And so the plot thickens. I enjoyed this chapter, Tony. I am glad to be back reading about the letter. You did a good job, though, with the other events surrounding it. It will be great to see what happens with the painting now. Thanks for sharing. Jan
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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And so the plot thickens. I enjoyed this chapter, Tony. I am glad to be back reading about the letter. You did a good job, though, with the other events surrounding it. It will be great to see what happens with the painting now. Thanks for sharing. Jan
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Many thanks for your review and supportive comments, Jan. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was not a nice place to stop, Tony!!! Now you will have to get the next part tomorrow! That was really interesting, and to tell the truth, that sort of thing did go on in churches, they do have a terrible reputation for being cruel. The Irish were furious about what the catholic church did to its orphan's and others, so much so, not many turned up the first time the Pope visited. They were that angry. To read that about Alain's mother, how cruel and unchristian is that? Now, poor Kayla is going through it, I can't wait to read the next part. Well done, my friend, this story continues to enthrall! :)) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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That was not a nice place to stop, Tony!!! Now you will have to get the next part tomorrow! That was really interesting, and to tell the truth, that sort of thing did go on in churches, they do have a terrible reputation for being cruel. The Irish were furious about what the catholic church did to its orphan's and others, so much so, not many turned up the first time the Pope visited. They were that angry. To read that about Alain's mother, how cruel and unchristian is that? Now, poor Kayla is going through it, I can't wait to read the next part. Well done, my friend, this story continues to enthrall! :)) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Many thanks for your review and interesting comments, Sandra. Much appreciated, as is the six-star award. The Catholic Church has a lot to answer for, in my view. I'm beginning to wonder what's in this letter, too! LOL Best wishes, Tony
Comment from JudyE
Nothing to suggest this time. I like the way you use snippets of French here and there but manage to give the English meanings in a very natural way. I can't help wondering what's wrong with Kayla. Don't keep us in suspense too long. :)
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Nothing to suggest this time. I like the way you use snippets of French here and there but manage to give the English meanings in a very natural way. I can't help wondering what's wrong with Kayla. Don't keep us in suspense too long. :)
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Thanks for the review, Judy. I don't think you'll need to wait much longer to find out what's the matter with Kayla and what's in the letter. I was going to take this chapter a stage further, but realised that it would probably have made it too long for most people. For a change, I have most of the next chapter already in my head. I just need time to put it down and a few more members' cents to promote it.
Comment from Pantygynt
The gibbering Kayla alerts us to another cliff from which we muist hang till next time. Alain is cleverly drawn -- is he an ignorant peasant or somewhat smarter than he at first appears? Quite possibly the latter as he has invented a new French word:
'Couchon!'
Now 'Nous couchons' means 'we lie' and 'cochon' (which is what I think you mean here) means pig. While The idea of Alain calling Charles 'a lying pig' might be in character, it is not really French. Thank heavens for my 'O' level French.
Is kyla on what I believe is known as 'a bad trip' or is there some other reason for her final contribution to this episode? We shal await the outcome with bated breath.
Is
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reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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The gibbering Kayla alerts us to another cliff from which we muist hang till next time. Alain is cleverly drawn -- is he an ignorant peasant or somewhat smarter than he at first appears? Quite possibly the latter as he has invented a new French word:
'Couchon!'
Now 'Nous couchons' means 'we lie' and 'cochon' (which is what I think you mean here) means pig. While The idea of Alain calling Charles 'a lying pig' might be in character, it is not really French. Thank heavens for my 'O' level French.
Is kyla on what I believe is known as 'a bad trip' or is there some other reason for her final contribution to this episode? We shal await the outcome with bated breath.
Is
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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That's the second time you've had to pull me up on 'couchon/cochon'. I'm either a slow learner or suffering from short-term memory loss. Probably both!
I'm always glad to see 'bated breath' on this website. So many members bait their breath, but I'm never sure what bait they use or what they are trying to catch.
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I had a feeling I had been there before, but I didn't like to mention it. I used to bait my breath but I never managed to catch anything that way. Lol.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Tony, this is a superb chapter and so well written. The interaction between Charles and Alain is outstanding. And now you leave us on yet another cliff hanger. As always I can't wait for what's next and what is in the letter. But first Kayla. She seems to be in a bad way.
Yeah, the Catholic Church has much to answer for. Here in Spain, the church took a newborn and told the parents it had died right after being born. They then sold the baby to rich childless couples. This practice took place up until the early nineties when a huge scandal broke. I actually know a couple, here in the valley where I live, who are still looking for their first born. A boy. It's tragic. All the best. Ulla:))
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Hi Tony, this is a superb chapter and so well written. The interaction between Charles and Alain is outstanding. And now you leave us on yet another cliff hanger. As always I can't wait for what's next and what is in the letter. But first Kayla. She seems to be in a bad way.
Yeah, the Catholic Church has much to answer for. Here in Spain, the church took a newborn and told the parents it had died right after being born. They then sold the baby to rich childless couples. This practice took place up until the early nineties when a huge scandal broke. I actually know a couple, here in the valley where I live, who are still looking for their first born. A boy. It's tragic. All the best. Ulla:))
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Thank you so much for this lovely review, Ulla, and for the sixth star, I must say, the more I learn about the history of the Catholic Church throughout the world, the more I agree with you. There's much to answer for. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from MissMerri
Tony, you write and edit so beautifully, I can never find anything to suggest or correct. This is definitely professional quality writing, and makes me wonder if you are soon to publish this book? I certainly hope so. I think it will be a best-seller. I have gotten behind in my reading (finding it increasingly difficult to spend time on FanStory lately) but hope to go back and read the chapters I've missed. Keep going. This is so delightful to read. Your vivid images create scenes that draw the reader right into the story. I enjoy reading books like this.
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Tony, you write and edit so beautifully, I can never find anything to suggest or correct. This is definitely professional quality writing, and makes me wonder if you are soon to publish this book? I certainly hope so. I think it will be a best-seller. I have gotten behind in my reading (finding it increasingly difficult to spend time on FanStory lately) but hope to go back and read the chapters I've missed. Keep going. This is so delightful to read. Your vivid images create scenes that draw the reader right into the story. I enjoy reading books like this.
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Thank you so much, Adonna, for this lovely review and your encouraging words. I never thought I'd get this far with the venture. I've learnt so much from various members of FanStory and the motivation that reviews like this brings. I'm delighted you thought this chapter worth a sixth star and that you think the story might stand a chance in the cruel world beyond FS.
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Tony, you really do write like an experienced professional and I have no doubt this could (and should) be published. You might start looking for an agent if you don't already have one. Your writing is superior to many who are already published. Go for it!
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I really do appreciate your encouragement, Adonna. I wouldn't know where to start looking for an agent, but will ask around.
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Do you take any writer's magazines? Or you can read Writer's Market in the library if you don't own your own copy. That's a place to start. I hope you will!
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Thanks. I?ll follow that suggestion up. I also know a couple of published authors here in Australia who may be able to help.
Comment from Tootsie55
So glad the SIXES are back. Good timing. I also liked the description of Alain's handbag. Very unique and possibly historic. Well done, once more keep up the good work. No spags, either!
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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So glad the SIXES are back. Good timing. I also liked the description of Alain's handbag. Very unique and possibly historic. Well done, once more keep up the good work. No spags, either!
Comment Written 07-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 07-Jul-2019
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Very many thanks, Louise. So very kind of you to keep encouraging me in this venture. I appreciate the sixth star, too - great validation. Best wishes, Tony.