The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 38 "A Matter of Moolah"A Novel
32 total reviews
Comment from damommy
There's more to this deal with Sir David than meets the eye. I'm afraid Charles is going to get into serious trouble. I love the metaphors, especially 'depravity concealed, like a rotting corpse.' What an accurate description.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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There's more to this deal with Sir David than meets the eye. I'm afraid Charles is going to get into serious trouble. I love the metaphors, especially 'depravity concealed, like a rotting corpse.' What an accurate description.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Yvonne. Glad my metaphors are hitting the mark. You may be right about Charles. He seems to be courting trouble here.
Comment from Mrs. KT
Hello Tony,
I so enjoyed reading this chapter. And I have to say that I laughed aloud at this passage:
When it came, I wasn't altogether surprised to see that Sir David's Vichy water had been added to my account - and charged twice. Therved me right for mimicking her lithp. I decided not to query it and, to assuage my guilt, left her a rather larger tip than was absolutely necessary.
Between the Vichy water add to the account and the lisp, I was duly entertained.
I also enjoyed the "Michael Faberesque" quality that your writing contains. Just like Faber's "Crimson Petal and the White" I feel as if I am right with Charles...just a few steps behind and enjoying the conversations and scenery!
Thank you again!
diane
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Hello Tony,
I so enjoyed reading this chapter. And I have to say that I laughed aloud at this passage:
When it came, I wasn't altogether surprised to see that Sir David's Vichy water had been added to my account - and charged twice. Therved me right for mimicking her lithp. I decided not to query it and, to assuage my guilt, left her a rather larger tip than was absolutely necessary.
Between the Vichy water add to the account and the lisp, I was duly entertained.
I also enjoyed the "Michael Faberesque" quality that your writing contains. Just like Faber's "Crimson Petal and the White" I feel as if I am right with Charles...just a few steps behind and enjoying the conversations and scenery!
Thank you again!
diane
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Very many thanks for your review and kind comments, Diane. I'm not familiar with Michael Faber's writing. I shall have to take a look. All the best, Tony
Comment from Debbie Pope
Got my six stars back. At least I can adequately award this chapter.
Your prose is so well crafted. Take the Alice in Wonderland references that are mid chapter. That is so good. And your dialogue, as usual, is so engaging. Plus, your plot is complicated; nothing is straightforward. I still can't imagine how it will unravel.
Your last couple of paragraphs seem a little superfluous. Perhaps you have a reason for describing the subway lines that I am unaware of. Personally, I enjoyed the reference. I was in London last spring and spent much time on the Bakerloo Line. Your references brought back good memories.
I look forward to the next chapter.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Got my six stars back. At least I can adequately award this chapter.
Your prose is so well crafted. Take the Alice in Wonderland references that are mid chapter. That is so good. And your dialogue, as usual, is so engaging. Plus, your plot is complicated; nothing is straightforward. I still can't imagine how it will unravel.
Your last couple of paragraphs seem a little superfluous. Perhaps you have a reason for describing the subway lines that I am unaware of. Personally, I enjoyed the reference. I was in London last spring and spent much time on the Bakerloo Line. Your references brought back good memories.
I look forward to the next chapter.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Very many thanks, Debbie, for your review and the extra star. Much appreciated! You're right about the last few paragraphs adding little to the story and I may delete them in a subsequent edit. I only put them in to add a little local colour to this brief transit through London. All the best, Tony
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As I said, I like the color. It all depends on the length of the novel and what you want. But you know that.
Comment from giraffmang
Solitude may be what is needed, but will it be obtained? So before long Brandon will be scooting back to the continent for a spot more sleuthing. Another enjoyable chapter.
for the whirligig - that's a great choice of word.
Instead, I said,"Yes, please, thweetie.- space needed before the opening speech marks.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Solitude may be what is needed, but will it be obtained? So before long Brandon will be scooting back to the continent for a spot more sleuthing. Another enjoyable chapter.
for the whirligig - that's a great choice of word.
Instead, I said,"Yes, please, thweetie.- space needed before the opening speech marks.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Thanks, G. I appreciate your sharp eye. All the best, Tony.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Never one did I expect Charles to be a carrier for paintings, but are they really just paintings?? I am sure David is following him but why and how much danger is Charles in. I'm sure he's in danger. Enjoyed reading.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Never one did I expect Charles to be a carrier for paintings, but are they really just paintings?? I am sure David is following him but why and how much danger is Charles in. I'm sure he's in danger. Enjoyed reading.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Very many thanks for your kind words and continued support, Barbara - not to mention the six shining stars. I think you may be right about Charles walking into danger.
I'm a bit behind with things at the moment, but will try to get around to reviewing your latest work soon.
All the best, Tony
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Ahh, a cottage in Cornwall, my favourite place in the whole wide world I regularly go there! Well, we think we have the reason for Charles to take the paintings back, but, I feel there is a lot more to it than him not being able to do it, and to Gaston's!! This is all very strange, Tony, and I really do not trust this 'Sir' David. Well done, well written and a wonderful read. :) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Ahh, a cottage in Cornwall, my favourite place in the whole wide world I regularly go there! Well, we think we have the reason for Charles to take the paintings back, but, I feel there is a lot more to it than him not being able to do it, and to Gaston's!! This is all very strange, Tony, and I really do not trust this 'Sir' David. Well done, well written and a wonderful read. :) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Very many thanks for your kind words and support, Sandra - not to mention the six shining stars. I think you may be right about Charles walking into danger.
I have happy memories of childhood holidays in Cornwall. We used to rent a house on a clifftop at Pollurian Bay each year. Mushroom picking, shell gathering, strawberries and clotted cream, fresh mackerel for breakfast, straight off the fishing boats at Mullion Cove. Happy memories! Perhaps I should be taking Charles there! However, he's on his way to a little Cotswold stone cottage in Wiltshire, on the edge of the Chiltern Hills. All the best, Tony
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Those are memories that bring a smile to the face. Wiltshire is the next county to us, Hampshire, we live in the New Forest. But it doesn't take us long to go to all those places. xxxx
Comment from Pantygynt
you would be worried these days if you missed your train to the West Country. Nowadays your ticket is for a specific train run by a specific company on a particular day. What is worse is that if you miss it because of being let down by another train company they couldn't care less. There was something to be said for the old British Rail after all and they used to do great breakfasts in the dining cars too.
In this episode we have an overcomplicated metaphorical paragraph that leans too heavily on Lewis Carroll balanced by one of the finest and most original similes I have ever come across:
'Sir David's eyes lit up like a one-armed bandit about to deliver a jackpot.'
I really do wish I had written that.
This mysterious travelogue (is that the right pigeonhole?) is still intriguing and enjoyable and I know I have to stay with it to the end.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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you would be worried these days if you missed your train to the West Country. Nowadays your ticket is for a specific train run by a specific company on a particular day. What is worse is that if you miss it because of being let down by another train company they couldn't care less. There was something to be said for the old British Rail after all and they used to do great breakfasts in the dining cars too.
In this episode we have an overcomplicated metaphorical paragraph that leans too heavily on Lewis Carroll balanced by one of the finest and most original similes I have ever come across:
'Sir David's eyes lit up like a one-armed bandit about to deliver a jackpot.'
I really do wish I had written that.
This mysterious travelogue (is that the right pigeonhole?) is still intriguing and enjoyable and I know I have to stay with it to the end.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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I think you may be right about the heavy handed Lewis Carroll. I've made a slight amendment, deleting the words 'Cheshire Cat', and letting readers work that allusion out for themselves. Yes, how good it would be to have that much maligned monster, British Rail, back again! Especially if we could return to pre-Beecham days.
Comment from Tootsie55
This was another intriguing read. Well done again. Gets creepier and creepier. About the Lithp..have you noticed how often radio announcers and tv comperes with lisps seem to get the prominent positions Thanks again for a good read I think O might have written something about the Lithping perthonalities in my Geoffothary. Hehe!
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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This was another intriguing read. Well done again. Gets creepier and creepier. About the Lithp..have you noticed how often radio announcers and tv comperes with lisps seem to get the prominent positions Thanks again for a good read I think O might have written something about the Lithping perthonalities in my Geoffothary. Hehe!
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Thanks, Tootsie. I appreciate yur review. Very kind of you to award a sixth star. I must have a look at this Geoffothary sometime.
Comment from QC Poet
Intriguing perspective of the realities of modeling and craving for fame. Descriptive, phrasing and paragraphs flowing through the chapter. As wellas the surrounding Set scenes make a great movie I'll bet.
Thanks for Sharing your Gifts and insights.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Intriguing perspective of the realities of modeling and craving for fame. Descriptive, phrasing and paragraphs flowing through the chapter. As wellas the surrounding Set scenes make a great movie I'll bet.
Thanks for Sharing your Gifts and insights.
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Many thanks for your comments, GM. Appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from WryWriter
Another well-done chapter that holds reader attention. Your "White Rabbit" character is more like a pile of rabbit pills. What a creep! I learned something reading your great chapter. I wasn't aware that "shirtfront" and "straightforward" were one-word words. Suggestions below:
"You see, I was also at the stage door the other night (omit ,) and saw you
waltzing off with that tart from the chorus line."
I fumbled in my wallet for a card and (then) passed it over to him.
The crowds had begun to thin by this time,
By this time, the crowds had begun to thin
(Or)
The crowds had begun to thin, and I had no diff....
As always, enjoyed this read!
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Another well-done chapter that holds reader attention. Your "White Rabbit" character is more like a pile of rabbit pills. What a creep! I learned something reading your great chapter. I wasn't aware that "shirtfront" and "straightforward" were one-word words. Suggestions below:
"You see, I was also at the stage door the other night (omit ,) and saw you
waltzing off with that tart from the chorus line."
I fumbled in my wallet for a card and (then) passed it over to him.
The crowds had begun to thin by this time,
By this time, the crowds had begun to thin
(Or)
The crowds had begun to thin, and I had no diff....
As always, enjoyed this read!
Comment Written 27-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2019
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Many thanks for another most perceptive review. I very much value your constructive and helpful criticism. All the best, Tony