More Grist to the Mill
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "Days of Derring Do"Book 2 of the Cleeborough Mill Trilogy
33 total reviews
Comment from djsaxon
A simply stunning write. Narrative, character depiction and dialogue are faultless. I will back track in the next day or so cheers - DJ and upgrade my rating to a six pack with great pleasure. Cheers - DJ
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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A simply stunning write. Narrative, character depiction and dialogue are faultless. I will back track in the next day or so cheers - DJ and upgrade my rating to a six pack with great pleasure. Cheers - DJ
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Many thanks for this encouraging review. Please feel welcome to dive into my portfolio as you wish.
Comment from Allezw2
A rather higher level discussion of wartime experiences with questions by one who had never seen the conflict as an imminently dangerous time to his person. So many veterans are reluctant to speak of these moments. I asked questions of my WWII veteran relatives and was usually rebuffed with a wait until you see it yourself comment. In later years as a veteran myself, they would often unbend and I accumulated a fund of their experiences that I put away as a resource for my own research. Imagine being wet, cold, hungry, and mud-spattered in a 1944 northern Italy spring storm, and finding shelter in a damaged warehouse. Curious, Willy went looking about while the others in his squad warned him of German booby-traps. He found a box of canned meat and built a fire to heat one. The othes were certain the Germans had poisoned it. AFter he finished the second can and had not collapsed, the others wanted a share too. He said he was so cold and hungry, he really did not care if it was poisoned or not. He really did not care if he lived or died at that point in the campaign.
Live long and write well,
Fantasist
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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A rather higher level discussion of wartime experiences with questions by one who had never seen the conflict as an imminently dangerous time to his person. So many veterans are reluctant to speak of these moments. I asked questions of my WWII veteran relatives and was usually rebuffed with a wait until you see it yourself comment. In later years as a veteran myself, they would often unbend and I accumulated a fund of their experiences that I put away as a resource for my own research. Imagine being wet, cold, hungry, and mud-spattered in a 1944 northern Italy spring storm, and finding shelter in a damaged warehouse. Curious, Willy went looking about while the others in his squad warned him of German booby-traps. He found a box of canned meat and built a fire to heat one. The othes were certain the Germans had poisoned it. AFter he finished the second can and had not collapsed, the others wanted a share too. He said he was so cold and hungry, he really did not care if it was poisoned or not. He really did not care if he lived or died at that point in the campaign.
Live long and write well,
Fantasist
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Thank you for these interesting comments. The deprivation of causes people to react in many different ways, often contrary to everything they have learned in earlier life.
Comment from roof35
You managed to prick my curiosity about where this is leading even more. I keep thinking it will have something to do with Heather. Great writing. I am really enjoying it.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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You managed to prick my curiosity about where this is leading even more. I keep thinking it will have something to do with Heather. Great writing. I am really enjoying it.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Many thanks for this six star review. You curiosity will shortly be rewarded, I assure you.
Comment from royowen
So we rejoin the remainder of Tom Warburton's life and eventual death, by falling on a grenade and saving four comrade's lives, and I guess knowing his previous life, he genuinely had a death wish, life without Heather would have ensured that, but a fascinating character, and would have made a great story, but then, there are lots of great characters. Well done Jim, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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So we rejoin the remainder of Tom Warburton's life and eventual death, by falling on a grenade and saving four comrade's lives, and I guess knowing his previous life, he genuinely had a death wish, life without Heather would have ensured that, but a fascinating character, and would have made a great story, but then, there are lots of great characters. Well done Jim, blessings Roy
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Many thanks for this supportive review, Roy. It is much appreciated.
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Most welcome
Comment from Jay Squires
Jim, tell me you've read W. Somerset Maugham. Your story here has such a distinct flavor of his work, particularly his short stories. Maugham's story-within-a-story style got me hooked at a young age. Your style here has also got me hooked.
You might want to check out a few of the points I made below.
'"Something like that, sir. There were a woman, and a farm once, back in South Shropshire, but - but that were another story [Jim, I read the beginning of this sentence again and again, owing to the fact that Allen said he "closed the door" on him, which I took to mean he shut up. I really think you need something to introduce Thomas' dialogue. Of course a quote within a quote, you might argue, is enough, and it probably is, but it still seems to contradict the previous statement that, 'Thomas, closed the bloody door on me.'
'Perhaps,' said Allen, his face, wreathed in thought, [I wonder if Allen's face, wreathed in thought, was similar to my consternation over what in the world the rector meant using the agricultural explanation of what "Crying the neck" referred to. Allen's "Perhaps," indicated that he at least understood the rector. That's more than I can say.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Jim, tell me you've read W. Somerset Maugham. Your story here has such a distinct flavor of his work, particularly his short stories. Maugham's story-within-a-story style got me hooked at a young age. Your style here has also got me hooked.
You might want to check out a few of the points I made below.
'"Something like that, sir. There were a woman, and a farm once, back in South Shropshire, but - but that were another story [Jim, I read the beginning of this sentence again and again, owing to the fact that Allen said he "closed the door" on him, which I took to mean he shut up. I really think you need something to introduce Thomas' dialogue. Of course a quote within a quote, you might argue, is enough, and it probably is, but it still seems to contradict the previous statement that, 'Thomas, closed the bloody door on me.'
'Perhaps,' said Allen, his face, wreathed in thought, [I wonder if Allen's face, wreathed in thought, was similar to my consternation over what in the world the rector meant using the agricultural explanation of what "Crying the neck" referred to. Allen's "Perhaps," indicated that he at least understood the rector. That's more than I can say.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Strangely, I have never got around reading Maugham. It sounds as though I should. Thank you for this detailed review. I have made a few changes that I hope make the conversation a little clearer. Crying the neck may need a little more explanation by the rector who understands what the ceremony is about but it refers to an incident shortly after the Joliffes with a very young Tom Warburton moved into Jericho /farm in Book 1. I have expanded on that a little too.
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Oh, do read Maugham, particularly his short stories. I feel so comfortable reading him with a hot mug of coffee on a rainy day. He slows me down and makes me appreciate the art of conversation.
Comment from Judy Lawless
I love learning about matters of the Wars from the British perspective. Your writing provides much information and explanation. I regret that I will not remember them for long, but that's just me.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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I love learning about matters of the Wars from the British perspective. Your writing provides much information and explanation. I regret that I will not remember them for long, but that's just me.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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You will enjor the latter part of this book then and the third book in the trilogy. Many thanks for your continued support.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
This chapter gives us plenty to wonder about and mull around in our minds. Tom certainly lost everything that last winter. Had he stayed put I'm sure the old man would have helped him out there. He knew Tom and Heather we sweet on each other. Tom decided to go away. He certainly had nothing to live for after that. Poor Lad. Looking forward to more information here. Well done, Jim. Nancy:)
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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This chapter gives us plenty to wonder about and mull around in our minds. Tom certainly lost everything that last winter. Had he stayed put I'm sure the old man would have helped him out there. He knew Tom and Heather we sweet on each other. Tom decided to go away. He certainly had nothing to live for after that. Poor Lad. Looking forward to more information here. Well done, Jim. Nancy:)
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Many thanks for this sympathetic review of this continuation of the story.
Comment from nomi338
This part of the story is difficult for me, I had so hoped that Thomas Warburton had a much better future ahead instead of a tragic death, even though it was heroic. I am all adrift now as I have to search about for a new hero or villain to either love or hate.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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This part of the story is difficult for me, I had so hoped that Thomas Warburton had a much better future ahead instead of a tragic death, even though it was heroic. I am all adrift now as I have to search about for a new hero or villain to either love or hate.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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I knew you would be disappointed that I had Tom Warburton killed off, I am sure you will find a new 'hero' in these new pages. Many thanks for your continued support.
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No worries. The great thing about life is that there is always a new hero on the horizon.
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What a great title that would be - 'Hero on the Horizon'!
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Thank you, I may try my hand at that.
Comment from Ulla
Hi Jim, a wonderful new chapter. We now know some more about Warburton. But I'm still puzzled about why the lawyer has come to ask qwuestions about him. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Hi Jim, a wonderful new chapter. We now know some more about Warburton. But I'm still puzzled about why the lawyer has come to ask qwuestions about him. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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All will be made clear shortly. Many thanks for your continued support with this second book.
Comment from damommy
What a wonderful chapter. I really like Warburton. He kept himself to himself and did whatever was asked of him. I'm enjoying the lawyer and rector, too. I like the term, "it gets boring else." I don't understand "crying the neck." Must be a regional saying.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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What a wonderful chapter. I really like Warburton. He kept himself to himself and did whatever was asked of him. I'm enjoying the lawyer and rector, too. I like the term, "it gets boring else." I don't understand "crying the neck." Must be a regional saying.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2020
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2020
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Thank you so much for this six star review. The 'neck' refers to an incident early in Book 1 after the Joliffes had moved to Jericho.