Doctor Who - Planet of Giants
Doctor Who and the Dalek Invasion of Earth
Doctor Who and the Zarbi
Doctor Who and the Crusaders
Season Two
Season Two
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Doctor Who - Planet of Giants Doctor Who and the Dalek Invasion of Earth Doctor Who and the Zarbi Doctor Who and the Crusaders Season Two |
Target Books Season Two |
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A Review by Richard Radcliffe 18/1/04
The novelizations of Season 1 had impressed me with their high standard and diversity. Multiple authors had mixed things up too - some faithful to the TV story, others having their own take on the legend. The nostalgic glow of my childhood, that I wanted, had begun to envelop me - and was still shining bright by the time I finished Reign of Terror. I was eager to carry on to Season 2.
I looked down the list of stories - 9 this time. 8 different writers, with Uncle Terrance starting things off solidly with the first two. There seemed a nice mix between historical and futuristic. The season would feature two of the first books published, and also some of the very last.
I hoped it also would feature some of the very best. Time to get small!
In one of the tiniest books of the range, the TARDIS crew get small. The TV version gloried in impressive sets, but we have our imaginations here, and everyday objects again become fascinating. Pity about the DN6 pesticide story, but the focus is squarely on DW doing a Land of the Giants.
Terrance Dicks is not really one for elaboration, just telling the script as it is. I couldn't help but feel a few descriptions would have fleshed the book out more. Also more could have been made of the Doctor and companions journeying in the Garden, to and from the house. It's small scale in all kinds of ways - and book emphasizes this. 112 pages of straightforward storytelling. It passed the time nicely 6/10
Terry Nation's original screenplay was a classic bit of writing, the first classic (arguably) that DW produced. Terrance Dicks follows this script closely, and as a result this is a very fine novelization. Does it build on the TV story? Not really, but it doesn't lessen its impact in any way. It's a good solid novelization in every way.
I read it very quickly, this was real page turning stuff, and I knew the story pretty well! One of the best first Doctor TV stories is also one of the best books.
The only rushed part of the book, it seemed, was Susan's departure. I remember the TV show prolonging this scene, to great effect. Here the Doctor is off, locking the TARDIS door, and the book is finished. I wanted more emotion - but this is a small gripe at an otherwise impeccable book.
I think it's the setting that does it for me. Everything is a ruin, even the people. It's a story about survival, with the emphasis on the small band of humans against the huge alien foe. It's an irresistable story, one used many times, rarely better than this. One of the best. 9/10
The Rescue
Ian Marter returns, showing again his adeptness for any type of DW, and a concrete grip on fine story-telling.
The TV story was functional without being that interesting really. Yet Marter takes a 2-parter, and makes it into just about the best novelization he can do. At 140 pages it really enlarges the TV version.
More is made of the planet Dido and its inhabitants. The planet, particular its underground caverns and ruins, come alive more - without budgetary restraints. Vicki and Bennett receive greater characterizations, with Vicki particularly being introduced very well. The Doctor and Ian's relationship is nicely played too. I believe the term is fleshing out existing material, and Marter does this very well.
Yet I couldn't help but feel the source material still lets things down somewhat. It's average DW nothing more, despite a brave attempt from Marter to produce something more. 6/10
The Romans
Described in many places as the novelization that departs more from the original screenplay than any other, I was intrigued to read this again. It was time for a bit of fun, and The Romans was there to oblige.
The book is written as a series of letters or journal entries. The Doctor, Ian, Barbara, Roman Centurion, Nero, Nero's Wife - they all chip in with their comments. As a result of the different voices, all designed to be humourous, the mix-ups from the TV version are largely intact.
I found the whole book a wonderful change from the norm. Here was an author who had really made an effort to be different, to make the book stand out from the crowd. It's not Donald Cotton's original script either, so plaudits there for adaptation - I am sure Dennis Spooner would love it.
The buffoonery of everyone made me laugh out loud on quite a few occasions. The Doctor and his companions have rarely been more stupidly represented - but it was a laugh for a one-off. 8/10
The Daleks, Zarbi and Crusaders are the birth triplets of written Doctor Who. Unfortunately The Zarbi is the runt of the litter, and contrasts sharply with the two David Whittaker books that were released with it.
Bill Strutton wrote a very challenging script for the TV show. The budget could never realize it, but in print this limitation would not be there. What I wasn't expecting was the sheer boredom I felt reading it.
Forget the fact that the Doctor is called Doctor Who throughout, ignore the misuse of Tardis - this is not a bad book because of that - it's a bad book because it's dull and plodding. Unfortunately it is also one of the longest books in the range, and the book gets extremely tiring. It took me at least two weeks to plough through, and I was constantly sidetracked by more worthy offerings on my bookshelf. I will not be reading it again. The worst I have read so far, by quite a long way. 3/10
This was one of my favourites from my childhood, and I was eagerly looking forward to it, whilst I struggled through The Zarbi. When I started to read it I knew I was in for a classic, right from the prologue. Whittaker shows his grasp of the essence of Who straightaway. A recap of the main events of Doctor Who is followed by a philosophical discussion about time travel, and the effects it can have. It was fascinating.
The story begins in earnest, and the TARDIS occupants are instantly thrust into the Crusade wars. The book is sheer joy to read throughout, and the nature of the original discussion in the prologue becomes apparent. The book is intelligent in its discussions, and I know I got more out of now than when I read it in my teens.
As good as the Doctor is here, this is the book that showcases just how excellent the original teaching companions were. Ian is the hero - justifying his Knighthood. Barbara is put through hell here, but emerges with credit. In El Akir DW had one of its greatest villains.
Taking just a couple of days to read, this really is one of the best - and I really will be surprised if it will be topped. 10/10
The Space Museum
This book is penned by Glyn Jones - and a bold attempt is made to enhance his own original script. The first third of the book is the events covered by Episode 1 in the TV series - he rightly gives more time to this superior episode. Only this story and the very first have first episodes that are head and shoulders above the rest of the story. We were fooled into thinking, after episode 1, that this was decent story on TV!
The book follows a similar pattern. I raced through the first part, but then struggled through the rest. Jones tries to infuse the book with the humour the TV version lacked - that's where the fun part comes in. Jones knew he hadn't written a classic, so he plays around with the Moroks, and the little youth rebellion - and what we get is a better version of events.
Jones presents the TARDIS crew as a sniping foursome. They are constantly upsetting and having a go at one another - with Vicki being involved more than ever. It's quite refreshing to see a TARDIS get on so badly as a matter of fact! In the broader context it's quite clear why Barbara and Ian leave the very next story.
This may be a better version of events than on TV, but it's still mundane after the early chapters. A story quite clearly to be left alone in any medium. 5/10
The Chase
The first of the John Peel Dalek novelizations, I remember this being rather excellent way back. After reading it again I can thoroughly authorize this again. Whatever John Peel's Dalek books were like later, he wrote the TV serials extremely well. He takes an entertaining, if lightweight story - and creates a very enjoyable, and involved book.
The shifting of the setting works equally well on the page - it keeps the interest alive constantly- and it is a very snappy 140 pages to read.
I particularly enjoyed the haunted house setting. The author employs all kinds of cliches when describing the place, but I was really taken into this fantasy. The least effective was the opening gambit on the desert planet, and its underground boredom. The Mechanoid city is very good to finish the book, but I wanted to be there longer - it seems rather rushed to get in to the 140 page count.
A fine book, and I am very much looking forward now to the Dalek Masterplan two books. 9/10
I just love this TV serial, citing it many times as my favourite from that era. I am looking forward to its DVD release eagerly, and was heartened by it's championing in the latest UK Gold poll.
The book is in the capable hands of Nigel Robinson, and he doesn't make a mess of it. The story is told well and the further insights into the characters (particularly the Saxon residents of England) are very good. The historical observances of the script are re-inforced and expounded further, without harming the narrative flow of the story.
The Monk and the Doctor are the stars here, and their rapport is one of the main highlights of a story full of highlights. Companions Vicki and Steven suffer in comparison, but they're not vital to the main thrust of the tale.
Having read the novelization, Time Meddler is still my favourite Hartnell story. 9/10
Season 2's novelizations are as all over the place as Season 1. What we don't have here though are bad TV scripts turned into good books. Or even great TV scripts turned into bad books. The bad books here were also bad TV serials.
Thoroughly entertaining as it is to read these books again after all these years, it's a tough proposition to plough through the likes of The Zarbi again. But great books like Crusaders, Dalek Inv, Chase and Time Meddler more than make up for it.