The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 108 "Mind Your Own Onions"A Novel
26 total reviews
Comment from Pantygynt
Another exciting episode but not without its elements of humour. Life gets hard when the baddies no longer wear the black hats, one of the reasons why I was glad to be back in civvy street before the Irish troubles really got going.
I liked the colloquial French. Do they really say that, about the onions? A strange race the Frogs, brilliant cuisine and wine, but we always said we'd rather face them in battle than have them on our side.
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Another exciting episode but not without its elements of humour. Life gets hard when the baddies no longer wear the black hats, one of the reasons why I was glad to be back in civvy street before the Irish troubles really got going.
I liked the colloquial French. Do they really say that, about the onions? A strange race the Frogs, brilliant cuisine and wine, but we always said we'd rather face them in battle than have them on our side.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Having had some dealings with the French when I was working in the Second Allied Tactical Air Force HQ in Germany, I would agree with you about having them as an ally! We sometimes wondered which side they were on - NATO or the Warsaw Pact!
According to the great god, Google, minding your own onions is a well-worn French idiom. Appropriate, n'est pas?
Thanks for the sixth star. Always a great affirmation.
All the best, Tony
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I haven't seen a French onion seller in decades.
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The last time I saw one was during a practice deployment from Reindahlen to our war headquarters in the Maastricht caves. He wasn't actually a French onion seller but a Dutch one. Similar beret and bicycle and I'm pretty sure they were a string onions, not tulips.
Being the junior officer at the time and new to the HQ, it was my job to make sure all the offices were secure before I left. To my embarrassment, doubled as I was a navigator, I got lost and asked the lone cyclist if he'd seen any military vehicles passing that way. "Ah," he said, "perhaps you are looking for the secret war headquarters? It's just a few hundred metres down there on the right." (True story, if slightly embellished!)
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Merde!
Comment from Suzanna Ray
Dear Author, Thank you so much for attaching your extensive Authors Notes, because I am new to FanStory, and chapters and chapters behind in this particular epic tale.
I particularly wanted to tell you that You have managed to keep your characters just as 'snotty' as you must have first envisioned them. ( here I refer to the two in the motorcar as described in the first several paragraphs.)
sometimes it is our flaws, I think, rather than our virtues that make a good novel.
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Dear Author, Thank you so much for attaching your extensive Authors Notes, because I am new to FanStory, and chapters and chapters behind in this particular epic tale.
I particularly wanted to tell you that You have managed to keep your characters just as 'snotty' as you must have first envisioned them. ( here I refer to the two in the motorcar as described in the first several paragraphs.)
sometimes it is our flaws, I think, rather than our virtues that make a good novel.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Thank you so much for your complimentary review, Suzanna and for the sixth star. Great affirmation. I agree entirely with your closing comments. It is the fatal flaw that provides the interest.
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Glad to know that we think alike.
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Though short, this chapter has intrigue. Kayla's aunt seems to know more than she should. Maybe she's just observant. You did a good job with this chapter. Those caves would make a good hideout and also an easy target. Thanks for sharing. Respectfully, Jan
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reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Though short, this chapter has intrigue. Kayla's aunt seems to know more than she should. Maybe she's just observant. You did a good job with this chapter. Those caves would make a good hideout and also an easy target. Thanks for sharing. Respectfully, Jan
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Thanks for your review and comments, Jan. Appreciated, as always. Auntie Mozama has the advantage of local knowledge in a tightly knit community. Yours, with good wishes, Tony.
Comment from robyn corum
Tony,
My husband has the most amazing and extensive mental treasure of pithy sayings. I adore them. But this is a new one. It's original and fun! I may have to share it with him. hahahaha
This chapter was well done, as always and I only saw a couple of wee nits:
1.) Mind you(r) own onions, indeed!
and, maybe?
2.) "My sister's name, Minaxi - it means fish/eyes."
Thanks so much!
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Tony,
My husband has the most amazing and extensive mental treasure of pithy sayings. I adore them. But this is a new one. It's original and fun! I may have to share it with him. hahahaha
This chapter was well done, as always and I only saw a couple of wee nits:
1.) Mind you(r) own onions, indeed!
and, maybe?
2.) "My sister's name, Minaxi - it means fish/eyes."
Thanks so much!
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Robyn. Once again, I am indebted to you for your sharp eyes. Both errors now corrected.
Yes, it's a great saying, and one that is quite widespread in France - according to Google, that is! LOL
Comment from giovannimariatommaso
This chapter of people, movement, underlying relationships, intriguing & suspenseful deliberate, calculated action, kept me going to the end in a furry wanting more & more. Very well written & choreographed the style is most appealing! giovanni
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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This chapter of people, movement, underlying relationships, intriguing & suspenseful deliberate, calculated action, kept me going to the end in a furry wanting more & more. Very well written & choreographed the style is most appealing! giovanni
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Very many thanks for your complimentary review, Giovanni, and for the sixth star. I'm honoured! All good wishes, Tony
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You are welcome. giovanni
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Your thank you keeps coming up as a new review & I am ansering it again. You are welcome. giovanni
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was a stroke of luck! Now they have a lead, and hopefully, tomorrow they will find Helen. I could just picture Bisto losing his rag with Ash, he's such a snob, isn't he? This chapter was extremely well written, and very exciting. I can't wait to read the next part, because I can see Kayla going off on her own. I might be wrong. I'll have to wait and see. :)) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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That was a stroke of luck! Now they have a lead, and hopefully, tomorrow they will find Helen. I could just picture Bisto losing his rag with Ash, he's such a snob, isn't he? This chapter was extremely well written, and very exciting. I can't wait to read the next part, because I can see Kayla going off on her own. I might be wrong. I'll have to wait and see. :)) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 19-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 19-Jan-2020
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Thank you, Sandra. Thrilled, as always, that you thought this chapter worth a sixth star. Great minds think alike! I had the self-same thought about Kayla, but there is one roadblock to overcome. She doesn't have the briefcase!