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More Grist to the Mill

Viewing comments for Chapter 39 "A Letter from Home - 1943"
Book 2 of the Cleeborough Mill Trilogy

34 total reviews 
Comment from Pam (respa)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

-This is certainly a big
turn of events.
-The letter was most interesting,
especially when it brought back
the name of Tom Jolliffe.
-He certainly got around back in the day.
-What a sensation that would have
created, too.
-Brucker's mother had enough in her
background to warrant another book!
-I wonder what Brucker thought when
he read this letter?

 Comment Written 18-May-2021


reply by the author on 19-May-2021
    I doubt if I will live long enough to write Anneliese's memoirs. Many thanks for this great review. I think the results of the interview will eventually clarify Brücker's intentions.
reply by Pam (respa) on 19-May-2021
    You are very welcome for the review, and I appreciate your reply. Maybe Brucker wants to become a resident of the town!
reply by the author on 19-May-2021
    Now you are getting ahead of me!
reply by Pam (respa) on 19-May-2021
    Sorry about that; just call it like I see it!!
reply by Pam (respa) on 19-May-2021
    P.S. You can always start on the memoirs, ha, ha.
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Pon my word, Jim!!!!! What a twist that was, and I agree, I bet he can be 'turned around'. How amazing that we have almost come full circle. Now, will he get to meet his English family? What a shock it must have been for Feldwebel, I wonder if he would have had that name, or Tom. Names were always passed down back then. I loved this part, my friend, this is a wonderful story, well done!! :)) Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 18-May-2021


reply by the author on 18-May-2021
    Thank you so much for this six star review. I am pleased it impressed you. Feldwebel is his rank, the equivalent to sergeant. His first given name is Gerhardt and his middle name is Thomas.

    I dont think there is as much passing on of family names as there used to be.

    Have you finished your removals yet?
Comment from Jay Squires
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Wow, this is a bombshell, Jim. So many twists and turns!

A couple of notes as I read along.

When you've read this bumf you'll see why. [I have no idea whether bumf is a misspell or a bit of military jargon.]

Of course, it could be an elaborate hoax, but how were the Jerries to know he would get shot down? I think it's genuine.' [... and shot down on the farmland owned by the sister of Tom Jolliffe, his blood-aunt. It's a small world.

Looking forward to the next installment.



 Comment Written 17-May-2021


reply by the author on 17-May-2021
    Many thanks for this. Bumf is Bri slang fo a load of paperwork. Ii am not sure where it originated but I feel it has been around me all my life.
Comment from RGstar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Ginty , you have done well here. Not only did you fill out the narrative extraordinarily well, with care, I know, not to bring attention to it, you even incorporated, rays of sunlight, and the descriptive elements of rooms and place very well. And to top that off, the brilliant letter, not forced, as may be with such a thing, in such a situation. It was very well written, and if a tad long, it was entertaining enough to bring added strength to the chapter. For me that was the strong point of this informative chapter.

The imagery started to manifest itself gradually, and that is what's needed, despite various chapters missed.


A good write. Warming to this one. I will look in again.
Best wishes.
RG

 Comment Written 17-May-2021


reply by the author on 17-May-2021
    Many thanks for these six stars and a most considerate review. I am so pleased you enjoyed and I hope you continue to look in from time to time.
Comment from lyenochka
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh my goodness! The German gunner is Tom Joliffe's son! What a clever plotline. Enjoyed the letter even more knowing the connection to the story of the family history from the previous chapters.

Had to look up "ack-ack." Lol.

Some comments - all up to you:

"It was a statement with the the intonation of a question, further confusing the German."
I don't think using an interrogative intonation with a statement would particularly confuse a German.

'Please don't call me Hauptman. I am a captain. Sir (If Hauptman means 'captain,' I'm not sure why Venables tells him not to call him that since he instructs him to call him a 'captain.')

 Comment Written 16-May-2021


reply by the author on 17-May-2021
    Thank you for this excellent six-star review. Thanks also for the comments. During the war the anti German feeling feeling in this country was a powerful lobby. Venables would not wish to be addressed with a German title even if it is the correct rank equivalent. People stopped listening to Beethoven and Wagner at this time.

    As to Brucker's confusion, I think the man would have been very frightened by the fact of his interrogation, believing he was in for a Gestapo style grilling. The friendliness would have confused him as would any subtlety in the interrogation style at this stage. It was not a comment on the linguistics.
reply by lyenochka on 17-May-2021
    I do think the "friendliness" tactic was perfect to address a German during that time period!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You have covered much ground in this novel. The time line in the notes was most helpful and interesting like a little synopsis. Although I haven't read all of the chapters, I found this one to be most intriguing and informative. The letter was great--filled with many pertinent details--I liked the discussion of the age difference and the way the mother wasn't actually married at the time and how she felt about it all. My time is limited on FS, but I will try to read more.
Respectfully, Jan

 Comment Written 16-May-2021


reply by the author on 17-May-2021
    Thank you so much for reviewing this chapter. It is good to hear from you once again. Thank you also for removing the mute between us. I look forward to being able to read your work once again.
Comment from Judy Lawless
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Well that was an interesting turn of events! I was wondering how the Joliffe's might be connected to all of this, but this wasn't what I expected at all. Very well done! You've given us something to think about while we await the next chapter.

 Comment Written 16-May-2021


reply by the author on 16-May-2021
    A lot of people were thinking I had strayed off course and did not see this coming, so you were not alone. Many thanks for the lovely six stars.
reply by Judy Lawless on 16-May-2021
    You're welcome.
Comment from nomi338
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

My mind is completely blown by this shocking development. I never in a million years saw this coming. I thought that she was hiding Jewish ancestry, and might I say that you did nothing to change my conjecturing. How clever of you. I was completely fooled. What a development this has turned out to be. I now wonder if there will be any controversy over succession regarding ownership of the Joliffe properties. Can they share, will they share?

 Comment Written 16-May-2021


reply by the author on 16-May-2021
    Since he was illegitimate he gas no legal claim to the Jericho estate but we shall see what transpires. Thank you for the six stars but you pleasure at not seeing this coming is my real reward.
reply by nomi338 on 17-May-2021
    I was pursuing a totally different track and was caught completely off guard.
Comment from TheTurtleDude
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi

The rating says it all. This is one of the best continuations to a story. a very interesting plot twist too. Keep up the great work and keep doing what you do.
Best Wishes,
TheTurtleDude

 Comment Written 16-May-2021


reply by the author on 16-May-2021
    Thank you so much for this complimentary, six-star review. I am so pleased you found it so enjoyable.
Comment from damommy
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Well! This will be a surprise to Thomas and Heather. As it turns out, Gerhardt is in for a surprise because there is no great estate to inherit. This promises to be a doozy of a meeting between the parties concerned.

 Comment Written 16-May-2021


reply by the author on 16-May-2021
    If and when they do get to meet. I doubt if there is much chaance while the war continues. Many thanks for reading and reviewing this chapter.