The French Letter
Viewing comments for Chapter 108 "Mind Your Own Onions"A Novel
26 total reviews
Comment from JudyE
Two tiny comments. We saw a Ghurka today or at least a modern soldier in the old-style Ghurka uniform.
He looked me in the eye and said, 'Occupe-toi de tes oignons'. - I'm wondering if Ash would have used 'toi' and 'tes' or 'vous' and 'vos', seeing they weren't close friends.
Clearly, it was, for I looked out of the window - Not sure about the comma after 'Clearly'
Cheers
Judy
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Two tiny comments. We saw a Ghurka today or at least a modern soldier in the old-style Ghurka uniform.
He looked me in the eye and said, 'Occupe-toi de tes oignons'. - I'm wondering if Ash would have used 'toi' and 'tes' or 'vous' and 'vos', seeing they weren't close friends.
Clearly, it was, for I looked out of the window - Not sure about the comma after 'Clearly'
Cheers
Judy
Comment Written 23-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Schoolboy French plus a Google translator can be a recipe for disaster. I'd forgotten about the intimate nature of the second person singular! Now changed to "Occupez-vous des vos oignons". Thanks for saving me!
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I have schoolgirl French and a lot of practice on Duolingo. I always loved French and tried to keep a bit of a handle on it through the years. I actually got on quite well when we took a motor-home through France on two different occasions in 2015 and 2017.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-This is a very well written chapter, Tony.
-I love the beginning with Bisto's outburst.
-You show his disgust very well, and
from his viewpoint, I can't blame him.
-I am sure Ash was probably what could
be called a 'variant' of his name, and
figured he was owed special attention!
-I like Charles's comment about
the puffs of smoke not resembling
a "summons to a war council."
-It seems Bisto's mood carried over
to those inside the aunt's house!
-I think it was appropriate that
Ash had to limp to the guest house!
-I like the ending, too, as Kayla will
not be going this venture alone, as well
as Charles's final observations
about Bisto's gunning the car engine!
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Photos*]
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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-This is a very well written chapter, Tony.
-I love the beginning with Bisto's outburst.
-You show his disgust very well, and
from his viewpoint, I can't blame him.
-I am sure Ash was probably what could
be called a 'variant' of his name, and
figured he was owed special attention!
-I like Charles's comment about
the puffs of smoke not resembling
a "summons to a war council."
-It seems Bisto's mood carried over
to those inside the aunt's house!
-I think it was appropriate that
Ash had to limp to the guest house!
-I like the ending, too, as Kayla will
not be going this venture alone, as well
as Charles's final observations
about Bisto's gunning the car engine!
[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Photos*]
Comment Written 22-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Pam. I appreciate your comments and all your support. Best wishes, Tony
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You are very welcome, Tony. I liked the chapter!
Comment from rspoet
Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter.
I like old Bisto, says things as there are, though I'm not sure if the term Frogs also applies to females. If so, I'm with Leslie Caron, Catherine Deneuve, Anouk Aimee, and, of course, Bridget Bardot and Bisto can go peel some onions.
I hope the fish in that area have beautiful eyes. Minaxi and Geeta help to lighten the atmosphere.
So, we are soon to be off the the caves. Caves usually represent danger, where evil lurks.
Charles can be quite gallant at times. We'll see how gallant he is when he confronts the lion.
Well done
Robert
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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Hello Tony,
Another excellent chapter.
I like old Bisto, says things as there are, though I'm not sure if the term Frogs also applies to females. If so, I'm with Leslie Caron, Catherine Deneuve, Anouk Aimee, and, of course, Bridget Bardot and Bisto can go peel some onions.
I hope the fish in that area have beautiful eyes. Minaxi and Geeta help to lighten the atmosphere.
So, we are soon to be off the the caves. Caves usually represent danger, where evil lurks.
Charles can be quite gallant at times. We'll see how gallant he is when he confronts the lion.
Well done
Robert
Comment Written 21-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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I wouldn't mind any of those kissing me to see if I'd turn into a handsome prince. Even mention of their names makes the heart beat a little faster!
Comment from Aaqib Naeem
Woww!! It was such an amazing piece of writing. You're possessed with such a wonderful talent. I loved it and enjoyed reading it completely. I hope you'll go miles as a writer. Wishing you luck.
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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Woww!! It was such an amazing piece of writing. You're possessed with such a wonderful talent. I loved it and enjoyed reading it completely. I hope you'll go miles as a writer. Wishing you luck.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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I am very much encouraged by your kind words and compliments, Aaqib. Thank you.
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Great opening paragraphs Tony, loved the -the summons to a war council, made me chuckle. Drama and humour, a good combo and a great chapter.
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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Great opening paragraphs Tony, loved the -the summons to a war council, made me chuckle. Drama and humour, a good combo and a great chapter.
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 21-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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Thank you, Valda. I always value your comments. The sixth star is a bonus. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from lyenochka
Poor Bisto seems to have an unpleasant time chauffeuring the unpleasant Ash. But it sounds dangerous for everybody. Will the two friends have to spend the night with Ash in the guest house?
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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Poor Bisto seems to have an unpleasant time chauffeuring the unpleasant Ash. But it sounds dangerous for everybody. Will the two friends have to spend the night with Ash in the guest house?
Comment Written 21-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2020
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No, they are spared that. However, as Charles soon finds out, sharing a room with Bisto has its drawbacks, too.
Comment from estory
I liked how you brought out some of the underlying tensions between the French and Brits through the dialogue in this episode. Also some of the tensions with Ash kicking the dog and the aunt giving him hell over it. A nice lighter moment with the two young girls and then that view of the sunshine in the mountians seems like a foreshadow of light at the end of the long tunnel. estory
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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I liked how you brought out some of the underlying tensions between the French and Brits through the dialogue in this episode. Also some of the tensions with Ash kicking the dog and the aunt giving him hell over it. A nice lighter moment with the two young girls and then that view of the sunshine in the mountians seems like a foreshadow of light at the end of the long tunnel. estory
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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Thanks for that. I thought a bit of tension within the group might help carry the action. All good wishes, Tony
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Tony -- I first backed off from reviewing given that I'm just now jumping into what surely is an intriguing and jammed-packed story with a plethora of characters ranging from amusing to fearsome. What I can comfortably comment on is the entertaining dialog. Fish-eyes, indeed! Reminds me of a game I played with my friend several years back. He was facing cancer treatment, so I came up with a way to distract him: Go on the internet white pages and search for horrendous who-would-ever-name-their-kid-that! combinations. Ophelia Twatt, anybody?
Cheers.
P.S. As of now, I am no longer a virgin reviewer.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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Tony -- I first backed off from reviewing given that I'm just now jumping into what surely is an intriguing and jammed-packed story with a plethora of characters ranging from amusing to fearsome. What I can comfortably comment on is the entertaining dialog. Fish-eyes, indeed! Reminds me of a game I played with my friend several years back. He was facing cancer treatment, so I came up with a way to distract him: Go on the internet white pages and search for horrendous who-would-ever-name-their-kid-that! combinations. Ophelia Twatt, anybody?
Cheers.
P.S. As of now, I am no longer a virgin reviewer.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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Thanks very much for taking the time to review. I know it can be a bit daunting coming in towards the end of a long novel and trying to pick up the threads. I appreciate your comments about the dialogue. My wife was a social worker, and she came across one mother in crisis who had names her several children according to the ease of their birth. Breeze, Horror, Caesar, etc.
Comment from Gail Denham
Well done chapter - I'm so glad you're breaking it into readable paragraphs. So many try to lump everything into one long paragraph - Impossible to follow. You also have good action and dialog. Enjoyed this chapter. I sort of expected that a mistake was made in language with "mind your own onions" and that would be mentioned.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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Well done chapter - I'm so glad you're breaking it into readable paragraphs. So many try to lump everything into one long paragraph - Impossible to follow. You also have good action and dialog. Enjoyed this chapter. I sort of expected that a mistake was made in language with "mind your own onions" and that would be mentioned.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Gail. I appreciate your comments about the layout. I also use a larger size print for those with poor eyesight. I was amused to discover, when I was doing my research, that the French idiom for 'mind your own business' was 'mind your own onions'! Too good to resist!
Comment from Mistydawn
I guess that would get someone's panties in a twist treating someone that way. Especially after a favor. Think I'd make all high and mighty walk back. Your chapter is well-written, very interesting, realistic. I look forward to reading more.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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I guess that would get someone's panties in a twist treating someone that way. Especially after a favor. Think I'd make all high and mighty walk back. Your chapter is well-written, very interesting, realistic. I look forward to reading more.
Comment Written 20-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2020
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Thanks, Dawn. I appreciate your comments about Ash. I have met one or two Frenchmen of his ilk. One or two stuck-up Englishmen, too, for that matter!