The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 75 "Caliban"A Novel
24 total reviews
Comment from BeasPeas
Hi Tony. This is a well described chapter of your book, full of timely intrigue. It's been a while since I tapped into the story. I have a general gist, but have missed quite a bit. I wish you luck in the contest. Marilyn
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2019
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Hi Tony. This is a well described chapter of your book, full of timely intrigue. It's been a while since I tapped into the story. I have a general gist, but have missed quite a bit. I wish you luck in the contest. Marilyn
Comment Written 02-Aug-2019
reply by the author on 03-Aug-2019
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Many thanks, Marilyn, for reviewing this chapter that's been short-listed. Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the good luck wishes. Good luck with yours, too!
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Hi Tony. Thank you and you're welcome. Marilyn
Comment from Mastery
Hi Tony. Good to read another chapter in the French Letter. You will either have a very long novel here or two volumes of good storytelling when you finish.
Well done.
I liked the images, like this one for instance:
"As always, the view from the balustrade in front of Sacré-CÅ?ur was stunning, with the late afternoon sun bathing the city in a soft glow. It reflected off the glass domes of the Grand Palais and bronzed the metallic framework of the Eiffel Tower."
And:
" The Seine flowed through the landscape like a silver thread."
I enjoyed this chapter. : ) Bob
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Hi Tony. Good to read another chapter in the French Letter. You will either have a very long novel here or two volumes of good storytelling when you finish.
Well done.
I liked the images, like this one for instance:
"As always, the view from the balustrade in front of Sacré-CÅ?ur was stunning, with the late afternoon sun bathing the city in a soft glow. It reflected off the glass domes of the Grand Palais and bronzed the metallic framework of the Eiffel Tower."
And:
" The Seine flowed through the landscape like a silver thread."
I enjoyed this chapter. : ) Bob
Comment Written 24-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your encouragement and the sixth star, Bob. Glad you are still enjoying this, despite the length! I expect it will be trimmed down during final edit.
All the best, Tony
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If yo are planning on seeking publishing, length and word count will matter a great deal I have had three novels published so far and I can assure you of that. They usually want no more than 240,000 words. You might want to clip your chapters together and get a word count before you waste a lot of time, Tony. : ) Bob
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I?m keeping a close eye on word count. The seventy five posts combine to around 90,000 words at this stage. I don?t anticipate exceeding 100,000 on completion of first draft. Many of the posts will be combined to form book chapters.
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Good. : ) Bob
Comment from Pam (respa)
-A very good chapter, Tony, that flows very well.
-I like the reference to Caliban!
-Charles is very annoyed by Helen's
"appreciation" of Alain helping her sister.
-It also continues to show how unpredictable
Helen can be, always keeping Charles,
and the reader guessing!
-Alain's contempt for Charles
continues to show, and what prompts
it adds to the drama of the chapter.
-I wonder why he is so possessive
of the sisters. and what prompts
his negativity to Charles?
-I like how Charles uses his
tone of voice to show disapproval.
-Mou-Mou adds a little levity
to the chapter, especially the name!
-But the levity doesn't last long
because Charles spots the MI6 agent.
-After this happens, you brighten
the story again with the description
of the view, and how peaceful it is.
-I doubt Charles is feeling that way,
and maybe not Helen, either, since
we don't know is going on with her.
-Then, you bring up Bamforth and Madame
Durand to quell any notion of tranquility!
-Well done.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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-A very good chapter, Tony, that flows very well.
-I like the reference to Caliban!
-Charles is very annoyed by Helen's
"appreciation" of Alain helping her sister.
-It also continues to show how unpredictable
Helen can be, always keeping Charles,
and the reader guessing!
-Alain's contempt for Charles
continues to show, and what prompts
it adds to the drama of the chapter.
-I wonder why he is so possessive
of the sisters. and what prompts
his negativity to Charles?
-I like how Charles uses his
tone of voice to show disapproval.
-Mou-Mou adds a little levity
to the chapter, especially the name!
-But the levity doesn't last long
because Charles spots the MI6 agent.
-After this happens, you brighten
the story again with the description
of the view, and how peaceful it is.
-I doubt Charles is feeling that way,
and maybe not Helen, either, since
we don't know is going on with her.
-Then, you bring up Bamforth and Madame
Durand to quell any notion of tranquility!
-Well done.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your encouragement and the sixth star, Pam, and your comments about the plot and the interaction between the characters.
My writing time is being severely curtailed at the moment by a granddaughter who is still functioning on New York time - so the early morning hours are no longer my own!
All the best, Tony
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You are very welcome and deserving, Tony. I am glad you appreciated the comments. Maybe all of the early morning activity will inspire your story, and who knows what could happen!! My best to you all. I am sure you are thrilled to see them!
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
I hadn't thought of Alain as Caliban, but even King Kong had a soft and protective spot for a pretty girl.
Helen is very talented, in her own special way.
Ah, Mou Mou, perfect name for a Peke, not manly like Rufus. :)
The reappearance of Durand and Bamforth? An interesting twist
to leave the reader dangling.
The web thickens.
Well done
Robert
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Hello Tony,
I hadn't thought of Alain as Caliban, but even King Kong had a soft and protective spot for a pretty girl.
Helen is very talented, in her own special way.
Ah, Mou Mou, perfect name for a Peke, not manly like Rufus. :)
The reappearance of Durand and Bamforth? An interesting twist
to leave the reader dangling.
The web thickens.
Well done
Robert
Comment Written 24-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your encouragement and the sixth star, Robert. As I mentioned to Pam, my time for writing is brief and spasmodic at present. All the best, Tony
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Charles doesn't seem to have much trust in Helen and rightly so it would seem. This chapter leaves a lot of questions for us in future chapters. Good chapter Tony,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2019
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Charles doesn't seem to have much trust in Helen and rightly so it would seem. This chapter leaves a lot of questions for us in future chapters. Good chapter Tony,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 24-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2019
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I?m not sure if Charles fully understands the complexity of Helen?s character. She?s given several reasons for caution in the past. He may be right to tread carefully.
Comment from Brenda Henderson
This has a great Mission Impossible Feel. It has even pace and good flow. For some reason I seem to be anticipating some major plot change or twist. You are doing an excellent job of engaging your readers with this particular narrative. Good stopping point to keep your audience wanting more. Good job!
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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This has a great Mission Impossible Feel. It has even pace and good flow. For some reason I seem to be anticipating some major plot change or twist. You are doing an excellent job of engaging your readers with this particular narrative. Good stopping point to keep your audience wanting more. Good job!
Comment Written 23-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your encouragement, Brenda. Glad you enjoyed this chapter. Best wishes, Tony
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You're welcome!
Comment from giraffmang
Hi Tony,
Great continuation once more. there's lots more mystery and intrigue in this chapter. it's all mounting up, great pacing and hooks abound.
G
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Hi Tony,
Great continuation once more. there's lots more mystery and intrigue in this chapter. it's all mounting up, great pacing and hooks abound.
G
Comment Written 23-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your encouragement and the sixth star, G. My FS time is pleasantly curtailed at the moment by a daughter and granddaughter recently returned to Australia after some years in New York. Have read and enjoyed your latest, but not yet reviewed.
Comment from royowen
It's an interesting thing, this yo yo relationship with Helen that Charles appears to be having, not quite sure where he stands with her at times, and other times certain. So interesting now, as he receives and urgent message from Bamforth to urgently join him at the embassy. Well done Tony, good writing, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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It's an interesting thing, this yo yo relationship with Helen that Charles appears to be having, not quite sure where he stands with her at times, and other times certain. So interesting now, as he receives and urgent message from Bamforth to urgently join him at the embassy. Well done Tony, good writing, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 23-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your encouragement, Roy. Glad you are still enjoying this. All the best, Tony
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
Oh man! I'm am going to be really disappointed in her if Helen turns out to be a double crossing Jezebel. This is really well written. I especially like how you built his growing apprehension about why Helen had not followed him when he left. The plot thickens LOL. Well done and thank you very much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Oh man! I'm am going to be really disappointed in her if Helen turns out to be a double crossing Jezebel. This is really well written. I especially like how you built his growing apprehension about why Helen had not followed him when he left. The plot thickens LOL. Well done and thank you very much for sharing it.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your continued encouragement, Monica. Glad you are still enjoying this. Helen certainly keeps the poor fellow on his toes!
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Sometimes I don't know whether to HUG her or SPANK her LOL..
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written chapter. Again secrecy between the characters separate their paths in a peculiar way. The embassy calls Brandon to report immediately.
TYPO
The Seine flowed through he(the) landscape like a silver thread.
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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A very well-written chapter. Again secrecy between the characters separate their paths in a peculiar way. The embassy calls Brandon to report immediately.
TYPO
The Seine flowed through he(the) landscape like a silver thread.
Comment Written 22-Jul-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jul-2019
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Thanks for your continued encouragement, Sandra, and for picking up the typo. Much appreciated! Tony