The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 69 "Rising From the Ashes"A Novel
31 total reviews
Comment from Ulla
Awe, what a lovely ending to this harrowing chapter. Charles loses everything, yet he feels that the past have set him free. A find chapter.
I spent most of the rest of the night gazing at the ceiling,: I think this reads a bit forced. What about: I spent the remainder of the night.
Just a thought. All best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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Awe, what a lovely ending to this harrowing chapter. Charles loses everything, yet he feels that the past have set him free. A find chapter.
I spent most of the rest of the night gazing at the ceiling,: I think this reads a bit forced. What about: I spent the remainder of the night.
Just a thought. All best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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You're right about that sentence. It is a bit clunky. I've changed it now. Many thanks for the suggestion. Thanks, too, for your generous words and the sixth star. Both much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Spitfire
What! No mention of food in this? Let' face it. Sex has top priority. LOL . I see the poet coming out in you again with wonderful similes and metaphor as in:fiendish fireflies that goaded me with tiny swords
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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What! No mention of food in this? Let' face it. Sex has top priority. LOL . I see the poet coming out in you again with wonderful similes and metaphor as in:fiendish fireflies that goaded me with tiny swords
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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Very many thanks for dropping by to review this chapter, Shari. I appreciate your kind words and the sixth star, too. Most generous.
I guess feasting on each other's eyes almost counts as a meal!
All the best, Tony
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Good one!
Comment from damommy
How sad he lost everything from his past. That would break my heart. Who set the fire? I bet it has something to do with the Madame.
You gave great imagery of their escape and his injuries.
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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How sad he lost everything from his past. That would break my heart. Who set the fire? I bet it has something to do with the Madame.
You gave great imagery of their escape and his injuries.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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I don't think we can lay the blame for this one at Helen's door. It was Charles who set the fire while she was putting the car in the garage. However, she did distract him somewhat!
Personal belongings become so much of who and what we are. Losing all of them like this would be devastating, but also perhaps cathartic.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
So Charles does have Helen, but he doesn't have the journals he was so fiercely protecting. And now Helen doesn't have the journal Ian gave her. I am wondering if that will impact them in anyway. This is another great job of writing.
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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So Charles does have Helen, but he doesn't have the journals he was so fiercely protecting. And now Helen doesn't have the journal Ian gave her. I am wondering if that will impact them in anyway. This is another great job of writing.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 24-Jun-2019
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Very many thanks for your review and the extra star, Barbara. I'm not yet sure how critical the journals might be. Helen's is still in the safe deposit box in Paris, so that at least is secure.
Comment from Mystic Angel 7777
I have to say the fire was totally unexpected since I felt sure they would be fine given the tea kettle they put on before their interlude had turned off automatically in the previous post. It is sad he lost everything but your ending exudes tidal waves of hope for the future since he recognized the old was being replaced with something much better and more enduring. Well done and thank you very much for sharing it.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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I have to say the fire was totally unexpected since I felt sure they would be fine given the tea kettle they put on before their interlude had turned off automatically in the previous post. It is sad he lost everything but your ending exudes tidal waves of hope for the future since he recognized the old was being replaced with something much better and more enduring. Well done and thank you very much for sharing it.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Yes, the kettle switched off OK. It was the log falling out of the fireplace that did the damage.
Glad that you enjoyed this chapter. I appreciate your kind comments. All the best, Tony.
Comment from Tootsie55
Saw that error in Background I mentioned elsewhere. Another very exciting chapter. I had hoped it was not going to be as bad as it has turned out. Good storytelling can't wait to see where it all goes after the hospital and all that. Helen not as bad off as Charles.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Saw that error in Background I mentioned elsewhere. Another very exciting chapter. I had hoped it was not going to be as bad as it has turned out. Good storytelling can't wait to see where it all goes after the hospital and all that. Helen not as bad off as Charles.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Thanks very much for the sixth star, Louise, and for pointing out the missing letter in the background note. I appreciate your continued support.
Comment from Sankey
How exciting!@ Drama to the fullest. Has the book been lost too? I mean Ian's book and Helen's Journal? You did well with this chapter. Just one little error in the Background. SIXES BACK TOO!
Background
Charles and Hele(n) have their trip
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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How exciting!@ Drama to the fullest. Has the book been lost too? I mean Ian's book and Helen's Journal? You did well with this chapter. Just one little error in the Background. SIXES BACK TOO!
Background
Charles and Hele(n) have their trip
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Many thanks for your review and the sixth star, Geoffrey. Appreciated, as always.
I hadn't thought about Ian's book. It may have been destroyed in the fire - unless it's in the car and the firemen managed to save the garage. Helen's journal is still in the safe deposit box in Paris.
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Thanks for the heads up.
Comment from juliaSjames
Aha! It's true love. I was mesmerized by the drama of this chapter. Excellent contrast between the turmoil of escaping not just a fire but an inferno, and the matter of fact, kindly ambulance crew. One small point, I wonder if a professional would be so open in expressing administration for Helen?
Also it strikes me that Charles would have been taken to the ER since he arrived by ambulance.
Love the silent declaration of love with which the chapter ends.
Blessings Julia
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Aha! It's true love. I was mesmerized by the drama of this chapter. Excellent contrast between the turmoil of escaping not just a fire but an inferno, and the matter of fact, kindly ambulance crew. One small point, I wonder if a professional would be so open in expressing administration for Helen?
Also it strikes me that Charles would have been taken to the ER since he arrived by ambulance.
Love the silent declaration of love with which the chapter ends.
Blessings Julia
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Thanks very much for your review and comments, Julia. I'll have another look at that bit of dialogue. I think the paramedic was only trying to make a reassuring compliment - but these things can be misconstrued.
They were initially admitted to ER, though it's not called that in the UK. (We were ushered into the emergency department and checked over by a hollow-eyed intern).
Glad that you were engaged by the chapter and are still enjoying the story. Best wishes, Tony
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I've spent a lot of time in emergency rooms over the last year so I know about interminable waits before a room is allocated on the floor (ward).
Comment from Darlene Franklin
Good on the edge of your seat thriller writing. I think I might to see a little more about how he's been reborn before the comment on rising from the ashes, but that might be more evident if I had read more of the story. I love how he gave only his first name. Deliberately. That tells me, even without having read more, than he has something to hide.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Good on the edge of your seat thriller writing. I think I might to see a little more about how he's been reborn before the comment on rising from the ashes, but that might be more evident if I had read more of the story. I love how he gave only his first name. Deliberately. That tells me, even without having read more, than he has something to hide.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Thanks very much for your review, Darlene. I'll make a note of your comment about rising from the ashes. I appreciate it and will see how it looks in the context of the whole story when I come to the final edit. Best wishes, Tony
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Thanks for your kind spirit.
Comment from JudyE
I doubt I'd be as calm if I'd lost everything - which isn't a criticism, just an observation.
One comment:
"Here, lass, slip this hospital gown on. There's blanket over there if you need it. The nurses will fit you out with something warmer when we get to the hospital." - should it be 'a blanket'? There doesn't seem to be any other colloquialisms in this person's speech.
Best wishes
Judy
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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I doubt I'd be as calm if I'd lost everything - which isn't a criticism, just an observation.
One comment:
"Here, lass, slip this hospital gown on. There's blanket over there if you need it. The nurses will fit you out with something warmer when we get to the hospital." - should it be 'a blanket'? There doesn't seem to be any other colloquialisms in this person's speech.
Best wishes
Judy
Comment Written 23-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Thanks for your review, Judy. I looked under my desk and found that missing 'a'. It's now back where it belongs.
I don't think I'd have been quite so sanguine as Charles in the circumstances, either. However, the loss of some of his ties to the UK may make the trip to Pakistan a more attractive option for him.