The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 67 "The Potting Shed"A Novel
22 total reviews
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Excellent continuation of the story.
That ghost may turn out to be more real than Charles realizes -
The Ghost of Tirich Mir!
"Not quite accurate,[]m'dear. (need a space here)
A question: Is this story being told as a remembrance? Perhaps it is just the time separation in reading the chapters, but this seemed odd to me.
"It wasn't until much later that I discovered more about Helen's family rituals..."
"You can keep it [for ever]," British - for ever, American - forever. So I guess for ever is the right choice?
Overall, I thought chapter was very well done. Sir Robert's journal adds new intrigue.
Robert
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Hello Tony,
Excellent continuation of the story.
That ghost may turn out to be more real than Charles realizes -
The Ghost of Tirich Mir!
"Not quite accurate,[]m'dear. (need a space here)
A question: Is this story being told as a remembrance? Perhaps it is just the time separation in reading the chapters, but this seemed odd to me.
"It wasn't until much later that I discovered more about Helen's family rituals..."
"You can keep it [for ever]," British - for ever, American - forever. So I guess for ever is the right choice?
Overall, I thought chapter was very well done. Sir Robert's journal adds new intrigue.
Robert
Comment Written 19-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Very many thanks for your review and comments about The Potting Shed chapter.
I had intended "It wasn't until much later that I discovered more about Helen's family rituals..." to be a foreshadowing of a future event in the Hindu-Kush. I may have to look at it again to see if that needs clarifying.
I've seen both 'forever' and 'for ever'. In British English the one-word version means continually or persistently and the two-word version means eternally - although the two-word version is gradually falling out of favour and only being kept alive by old fuddy-duddies like myself! I guess it won't last for ever, but I shall be forever trying to keep it alive.
Many thanks for the sixth star and your continued support and encouragement.
All the best, Tony
Comment from Pam (respa)
-This is an excellent chapter, Tony.
-I guess my assumption about Helen
was wrong, so I stand corrected!
-I like how you begin the chapter
with her reaction to what she
thought was a trapped animal in the shed.
-I would have been unnerved, too!
-I like the bit of relief from Bisto as he whistles
a happy tune and fixes breakfast.
-The comment and look of Helen as she says
she doesn't have the intense belief in the faeries
as her mother did is telling, and I don't think
Charles necessarily agreed, either.
-Then, you tug at our heartstrings with
the funeral, and Bisto's reaction, and the
reference to so many generations
of Kidman's being buried there.
-You foreshadow some knowledge Charles had
gained from Helen, indicating they probably wouldn't
have planned to go to the Hindu Kush.
-It sounds like another mystery to be solved.
-A good ending, as Helen shows her appreciation
for being able to keep the journal.
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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-This is an excellent chapter, Tony.
-I guess my assumption about Helen
was wrong, so I stand corrected!
-I like how you begin the chapter
with her reaction to what she
thought was a trapped animal in the shed.
-I would have been unnerved, too!
-I like the bit of relief from Bisto as he whistles
a happy tune and fixes breakfast.
-The comment and look of Helen as she says
she doesn't have the intense belief in the faeries
as her mother did is telling, and I don't think
Charles necessarily agreed, either.
-Then, you tug at our heartstrings with
the funeral, and Bisto's reaction, and the
reference to so many generations
of Kidman's being buried there.
-You foreshadow some knowledge Charles had
gained from Helen, indicating they probably wouldn't
have planned to go to the Hindu Kush.
-It sounds like another mystery to be solved.
-A good ending, as Helen shows her appreciation
for being able to keep the journal.
Comment Written 19-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Very many thanks for your review of The Potting Shed, and for the six stars. Very much appreciated, as always. I enjoyed reading your summary comments on the chapter, too. All the best, Tony
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You are very welcome and deserving of the stars and review, Tony. I am glad you enjoyed my comments. It was an excellent chapter.
Comment from Artasylum
I must say Helen is a soft, gentle soul and my favorite place on earth is Paris and Montmartre... I can die happy... this is a wonderful read for me. Fun write. thanks Tfawcus... yours, Diana
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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I must say Helen is a soft, gentle soul and my favorite place on earth is Paris and Montmartre... I can die happy... this is a wonderful read for me. Fun write. thanks Tfawcus... yours, Diana
Comment Written 19-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Thanks so much for this encouraging review, Diana. It looks as if I shall have to whisk them back to Paris, post-haste!
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Please!
Comment from royowen
I like the ebb and flow of this episode Tony, it made me think of the ritualistic beliefs we all hold to, (although some of mine came late in life) Helen has embraced the journals written by Bisto's great grandfather, who shot the mystical markhor. An excellent episode Tony, well done, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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I like the ebb and flow of this episode Tony, it made me think of the ritualistic beliefs we all hold to, (although some of mine came late in life) Helen has embraced the journals written by Bisto's great grandfather, who shot the mystical markhor. An excellent episode Tony, well done, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 18-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2019
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Thanks very much for your review of The Potting Shed, Roy, and for your kind words. I think that ritual plays a much larger part in people's lives than we sometimes give it credit for.
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We do
Comment from Mastery
Hi, Tony. I look forward to your chapters, my friend. Good writing in this one for sure:
Before I forget, I liked this little bit here:
The poor man brightened. It was as if a weight pulling down the corners of his mouth had suddenly been released."
Good imagery throughout. This caught my eye: "I looked hard at Helen to see what truth I could find in her eye, but she would not allow my gaze."
This is a great closer too:
"He backed away in obvious embarrassment. "I say, steady on! You almost made me drop the blessed goat."
I thoroughly enjoyed the sublte humor in here too, my friend.
Bless you, Bob
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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Hi, Tony. I look forward to your chapters, my friend. Good writing in this one for sure:
Before I forget, I liked this little bit here:
The poor man brightened. It was as if a weight pulling down the corners of his mouth had suddenly been released."
Good imagery throughout. This caught my eye: "I looked hard at Helen to see what truth I could find in her eye, but she would not allow my gaze."
This is a great closer too:
"He backed away in obvious embarrassment. "I say, steady on! You almost made me drop the blessed goat."
I thoroughly enjoyed the sublte humor in here too, my friend.
Bless you, Bob
Comment Written 17-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Bob. That started, predictably, as a weight lifted off his shoulders.
As always, I appreciate your review and your thoughts.
All the best, Tony
Comment from sunnilicious
I love you fashion sense. The descriptive phrases are remarkable. The installment stands well alone. Good storytelling. Good narration with dialogue. Good luck completing this novel.
Hope you had a wonderful Fathers Day. Have a great week. Hearts & hugs, Alicia (aka Sunnilicious)
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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I love you fashion sense. The descriptive phrases are remarkable. The installment stands well alone. Good storytelling. Good narration with dialogue. Good luck completing this novel.
Hope you had a wonderful Fathers Day. Have a great week. Hearts & hugs, Alicia (aka Sunnilicious)
Comment Written 17-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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Lovely to hear from you, Alicia. I'm hoping to have the first draft complete in about a month. Then the hard work of cutting and slashing!
Comment from estory
That goat's head seems like a portent of ill, an ill omen for the trip to the Hindu Kush ahead. Helen seems fascinated by it, and its connection to the spirits of the land. Charles seems a bit nonchalant, going on with Bisto on the funeral arrangements, not quite sure what to make of it.
we'll have to see what the journey brings. estory
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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That goat's head seems like a portent of ill, an ill omen for the trip to the Hindu Kush ahead. Helen seems fascinated by it, and its connection to the spirits of the land. Charles seems a bit nonchalant, going on with Bisto on the funeral arrangements, not quite sure what to make of it.
we'll have to see what the journey brings. estory
Comment Written 17-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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Thanks, estory. The funeral was what brought them back to England, so it has to be dealt with - though it's a sideline in the story - though Bisto's indebtedness to his friend might not be.
Comment from Pearl Edwards
I do like Helen's reaction to the Markhor initially frightened but then wanting it put back over the fireplace. A good chapter Tony, gradually entwining Ian's family history with Helen's.
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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I do like Helen's reaction to the Markhor initially frightened but then wanting it put back over the fireplace. A good chapter Tony, gradually entwining Ian's family history with Helen's.
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 16-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 17-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Valda. I think that the lifeless head of the markhor would hold little fascination for Helen without the implicit presence of the peri spirit. It would have unnerved her, though, when she initially saw it, out of context, in the potting shed.
Comment from ShyWri
This is the first section of a book I've read on FanStory. I think it would have helped if there were more of a "Book cover blurb" for the Background section. As it is, this is an intriguing chapter that makes me curious about the rest.
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2019
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This is the first section of a book I've read on FanStory. I think it would have helped if there were more of a "Book cover blurb" for the Background section. As it is, this is an intriguing chapter that makes me curious about the rest.
Comment Written 16-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2019
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Thanks very much for dropping by to review this chapter. You are right, I do need to write a book summary - it's a task I keep putting off. Your gentle nudge reminds me that I need to move it up a few places on my list of things to do. I'm an expert procrastinator.
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I'll look forward to reading more. BTW I'm also working on a book and wonder how the Lock and Key "place" works. I'm not ready to show the book to the whole world of FanStory. Can you enlighten me?
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I've never used the Lock and Key facility and so can't really give you any more detail about it than is found in the Q & A section of the Community drop-down menu. I've always just gone ahead regardless and posted my work for comments by the whole FS community and have found them a very supportive group on the whole. One of the advantages of this is the wider range of feedback that becomes available Good luck with your book.
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Thank you
Comment from Debbie Pope
Your plot is so complex, Tony. However did you come up with it? Every chapter leaves the reader in suspense of another twist in the plot. Last chapter, it was Helen's ghostly appearance. This chapter it's the mystery of Helen's family rituals. Your story is exotic and interesting.
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2019
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Your plot is so complex, Tony. However did you come up with it? Every chapter leaves the reader in suspense of another twist in the plot. Last chapter, it was Helen's ghostly appearance. This chapter it's the mystery of Helen's family rituals. Your story is exotic and interesting.
Comment Written 16-Jun-2019
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2019
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Thanks, Debbie. I appreciate your comments. The original plot idea was rather more straightforward, but I keep going off at tangents. I suspect that I may have to simplify it a bit during the final edit.
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That's a nice problem--to have too much good material.