Jenny Colgan has been one of the surprising hits of the Doctor Who book line lately. A huge fan of the series but coming from a completely different genre of work, she's provided a new voice in the increasingly predictable novels line. So it's no surprise that she was chosen to write one of the novelisations in the new range, being, in fact, the only non-television writer to do so.
With The Christmas Invasion Colgan has probably the least momentous story of the four. It is, of course, the first Christmas special and the first story for the tenth Doctor, which is quite significant, and blimey, it seemed like the most important thing on TV at the time. Looking back at the episode through the novelisation, and it's surprising how little actually happens, and just how long it is we have to wait to really get to know the new Doctor. Reading it retrospectively, when we already know Ten and he's a fixture of the past, it doesn't have the same impact when he finally arrives.
However, this is a solid retelling of an enjoyable story, extremely easy reading and a real pleasure. It's by far the most straightforward adaptation of the four new novelisations, but that's not a bad thing. And it's not to say it doesn't add something to the story; in particular, the lesser characters are expanded considerably. Daniel Llewellyn of the Guinevere project is especially well-rounded, coming across as a full character now, and even enjoys the beginnings of a romance with UNIT secretary Sally. The entire Guinevere project is expanded and given context, and UNIT seem far more vital to the plot than before.
There are some nice touches - the chapter titles are all Christmas songs, for example - and some extra scenes are included to give some more context for events. For example, the idea that the tenth Doctor picked up his accent from Rose is reinstated from a cut scene, and the Children in Need mini-episode that introduced Tennant is incorporated. The novel really gets into Rose's head and the mix of emotions she feels having seen her friend suddenly transform. For all RTD's reputation for emotional drama, there's a lot more to the novel than the original episode when it comes to human feelings.
The only real downside to including The Christmas Invasion in the line-up is the similarity between it and Rose. It's two stories featuring Rose, Mickey and Jackie set largely on the Powell Estate in the same time period, and this makes it seem less exciting. The fact that the audio versions of both books are read by Camille Coduri drives this similarity home (and I'm not much inclined to one book read by her). It just makes things a little too samey in a very short series.
On its own merits though, this is a lot of fun and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon or two.
Data:
First published by BBC Books (Target imprint) in 2018
Based on "The Christmas Invasion," first broadcast in 2005
Audiobook read by Camille Coduri
With The Christmas Invasion Colgan has probably the least momentous story of the four. It is, of course, the first Christmas special and the first story for the tenth Doctor, which is quite significant, and blimey, it seemed like the most important thing on TV at the time. Looking back at the episode through the novelisation, and it's surprising how little actually happens, and just how long it is we have to wait to really get to know the new Doctor. Reading it retrospectively, when we already know Ten and he's a fixture of the past, it doesn't have the same impact when he finally arrives.
However, this is a solid retelling of an enjoyable story, extremely easy reading and a real pleasure. It's by far the most straightforward adaptation of the four new novelisations, but that's not a bad thing. And it's not to say it doesn't add something to the story; in particular, the lesser characters are expanded considerably. Daniel Llewellyn of the Guinevere project is especially well-rounded, coming across as a full character now, and even enjoys the beginnings of a romance with UNIT secretary Sally. The entire Guinevere project is expanded and given context, and UNIT seem far more vital to the plot than before.
There are some nice touches - the chapter titles are all Christmas songs, for example - and some extra scenes are included to give some more context for events. For example, the idea that the tenth Doctor picked up his accent from Rose is reinstated from a cut scene, and the Children in Need mini-episode that introduced Tennant is incorporated. The novel really gets into Rose's head and the mix of emotions she feels having seen her friend suddenly transform. For all RTD's reputation for emotional drama, there's a lot more to the novel than the original episode when it comes to human feelings.
The only real downside to including The Christmas Invasion in the line-up is the similarity between it and Rose. It's two stories featuring Rose, Mickey and Jackie set largely on the Powell Estate in the same time period, and this makes it seem less exciting. The fact that the audio versions of both books are read by Camille Coduri drives this similarity home (and I'm not much inclined to one book read by her). It just makes things a little too samey in a very short series.
On its own merits though, this is a lot of fun and a pleasant way to spend an afternoon or two.
Data:
First published by BBC Books (Target imprint) in 2018
Based on "The Christmas Invasion," first broadcast in 2005
Audiobook read by Camille Coduri
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