Doctor Who: The Cradle

Doctor Who: The Decades Collection #2

by Tasha Suri

1978.

Tensions are high in Southall, and Seema, Inderjit, and Terrence are right in the middle of it.

Threatened by members of the National Front,and fearful for their lives, the friends find themselves saved by a seemingly broken down bus.

But inside the bus, a world of wonders and terrors awaits. And when a tall, grumpy man calling himself the Doctor says he can help, they've no choice but to trust him...

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook

114 pages, Hardcover

First published October 26, 2023

About the author

Tasha Suri was born in the U.K., but toured India during childhood holidays. She is now a librarian in London, and studied English and creative writing at Warwick University.

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s London in 1978. Tensions are running high. Three kids are on a bus, on their way to school. But the bus stops and picks up some members of the National Front. And the three kids fear that the color of their skin could get them into a lot of trouble.


I really like that Seema is an ordinary girl in many ways, but it’s also clear she is more observant than others. That’s how we know from the start that there’s something weird going on. While Seema might not be the most vocal person in her group of friends, she knows who she is and what she stands for. So when push comes to shove, she will make sure that her voice is heard. Her Indian heritage also feels like it is more than just a plot device, which is appreciated, and helps make her character come to life.


This story reminds me of two other Doctor Who stories, which makes it feel comfortably familiar and a perfect fit in the Doctor Who universe. The bus setting immediately reminds me of Planet of the Dead. This being a doctor-light story with a well-fleshed out and interesting one-off protagonist reminds me of Blink. And while the twelfth doctor doesn’t get a lot of time in the spotlight, it feels special and impactful whenever he is in the scene. Add in the historical setting, and it feels like this story has all the elements it needs to succeed.


Overall, a short but really good Doctor Who story with an easy-to-root-for protagonist and a great concept about fear at its core. It’s on one hand quite a personal, emotional, and recognizable character-driven story. And on the other hand, the themes feel universal and the execution of the concept is experimental. Would be an interesting choice to adapt this to a television episode. Job well done, I say. This is a Doctor Who story done right.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Doctor Who adventure is an excellent combination of science fiction & human drama. The characterisations are superb & the story is gripping from beginning to end.
Although I admire Peter Capaldi as an actor he always looked uncomfortable in the role of the Doctor & he was served by some very weak scripts. In this novel Capaldi's Doctor really shines. It's such a pity that the series never gave him a story of this high quality.

[Runalong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favourite show, Doctor and one of favourite authors was never going to be a hard sell for me but this is a very very good character focused and reality bending story recent U.K. history which is still recent history . Captures the Twelfth Doctor perfectly too

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's London in 1978 and the National Front are making life difficult for Seema and her friends. When the bus they are on crashes into nothing and the driver disappears, they take refuge in a cafe where a strange man called the Doctor will make them face their fears.

Suri's novella about overcoming fear in the face of prejudice falls well within the scope of a 'Doctor Who' story. Well written and with an excellent Twelfth Doctor, this a good look at London in the Seventies from an outsider's perspective.

[S.E. Martens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella follows Seema, a teenage girl living in Southall, London in the 1970s. The story takes its time, allowing the reader to really get to know Seema, her family and friends, and to experience what her life is like in the UK of the 1970s. We don't get to see the Doctor right away, and even when we do, it's always from a distance - through Seema's eyes.

I actually really like this approach because it creates a lot of empathy for the characters of this story and it maintains the mysterious and otherworldly nature of the Doctor. Also, it's the 12th Doctor and the author captures his personality very well! She manages to communicate his cantankerous-yet-empathetic personality - which is no small feat!

What really impressed me about this novella was how it illustrates the history of racism in the UK. It talks about the National Front and touches on systemic racism, violent hate crimes and the indifference of police and passerby. That was all much more interesting than the sci-fi elements, which I found a little underwhelming.

Seema and her friends find themselves in a cafe and somehow the cafe and surrounding streets are empty - where is everyone? The only one there is the Doctor, so something strange is afoot. Then they find themselves trapped in a strange place where their fears can manifest.

Overall, this was a strong novella and a great 12th Doctor story. I believe Tasha Suri mostly writes fantasy, but I would love to see her delve into the world of Doctor Who again!

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is an enormous amount of history and social commentary that is packed into this concise package...and one that belies the cliches of what a 1970s-set story might be like to some Whovians. It's a simple, elegant, frightening, thrilling tale, and the 12th Doctor is deftly integrated into its fabric. A wonderful and unexpected read, and one with as much to say about the present day as it does about the past

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic Doctor Who story. Seema and her friends are written believably and lovably, the racial tensions of 1970s Southall are expertly woven into the narrative as part of the both the plot and characterisation and Twelve's characterisation is excellent. You can really see Capaldi as The Doctor through his mannerisms and actions.

Thrilling, emotional and complex, this is a textbook example of a fantastic Doctor Who story. A great read, especially in comparison to the extremely disappointing Imaginary Friends. Unlike that, The Cradle is a story worthy of celebrating the franchise's 60th anniversary.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. I cared about the three main characters so much. It touched on difficult subjects and the author really captured Peter Capaldi's Doctor.

[Andrew Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similarly to the first book in the series, this is told from the perspective of a young narrator, with the Doctor (a Clara-less Capaldi) somewhat peripheral. While not quite to the standard of Imaginary Friends, the Cradle is still very good, building empathy for Seema, a teenage girl in 1978 Southall, struggling with grief from her father's death alongside the racism of the NF and fears about the impact of coming out.

I grew up in neighbouring Hayes in the 1980s so the setting felt quite familiar, though it's not overly dwelt on. These books are brief by design, and while the explanation for the strange events that Seema stumbles into is not very surprising it is a well-told and emotionally satisfying tale.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slowly making my way through the Decades collection and I love that they’ve done these for the 60th.

Peter Capaldi’s doctor is one of the most entertaining and episodes (and books) with him in it are always bound to deliver humour and a great story all wrapped up and bound in an angry, furrowed Scottish accent! Love it.

The Cradle was a compelling story and well written. The 12th Doctor was well captured and I listened to the audiobook format for this one and it was well narrated too. Narrated by Vineeta Rishi (she featured in the Smith and Jones episode 3 series Ep 1) and she did a fab job of bringing life to the characters.

It was a great story and the concept of the Cradle made for an entertaining read. 3 read in this collection so far, 3 more to go!

[Ryan Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this. I was gripped from the very start.
The 12th Doctor is written perfectly, his grumpy demeanor aswell as his compationate, loveable side.

The story itself, young teenagers in a time of racism and fear, at a time in their own lives having to manage growing up. Bringing to light the main meaning of Doctor Who. Love and Hope. They are what prevail in this sometimes cruel world and it's down to the Doctor and their adventures are we reminded of this.

Hope for more stories from Tasha Suri

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Decades Collection is six novellas each set in a decade of Doctor Who's run.

London, 1978. We're introduced to Seema Ahlumalia, who along with two friends, is menaced by three National Front members. After escaping, they meet a mysterious man called the Doctor, board a magical space bus, and confront their traumas.

There are some interesting things here. The early parts and the characters are good. And there's a fun bit where the Doctor (here, Peter Capaldi's Thirteenth Doctor) is given an unasked for make-over. But once the space bus appears, its mostly Doctor Who-by-numbers.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

1970年代のイギリスでの人種差別がこんなに凄まじかったのかと主人公のお父さんが殺されたというくだりで驚いたのだけれども冷静に考えれば南アフリカのアパルトヘイトが廃止されたのも1990年代なのだからなんというかむしろそういうことが起こってない方が不思議なのか。
アメリカの人種差別の歴史は映画やHiphopを通して比較的知ってるけれどヨーロッパで起こってないはずがないという発想がどうにも自分の中で欠如しがちで。

National Frontというイギリスの極右集団についてもはじめて知った。その当時のイギリスで有色人種でいることがどういうことなのかというのが主人公と友達たちで感じることができた。バスの中で白人至上主義にかぶれている若者集団に絡まれた時の怖さたるや。ただ存在するだけで襲われる危険があるというのは本当にとんでもなく恐ろしい。

途中まで自分がドクター・フーの小説を読んでいると忘れかけていた。

12が若返っちゃって他の子供たちに痛々しがられるっていうのには笑ってしまったけれど。

[Neveah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is YA Who which also delves into the more philosophical type of ‘episode’, where the Doctor and his crew confront Big Questions, as well as adding the backdrop of The Southall Riots. It’s a big ask for a small novella, but I really enjoyed it. Credit to this whole six part series for making non white, non male writers the default as well.

[Robert Holm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. A very emotional journey for the main character, 15-year old Seema, dealing with the death of her father and the racism of the National Front in Southall 1978.

The Twelfth Doctor plays more of a role in this than the Doctors in the first Decades Collection book, but the story still focuses mainly on Seema and her friends

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at hideous government policy not talked about much when it should have been shouted from the rooftops. A tale of love, forgiveness, a determination to take a stand and growing up. Lovely.

[Gabor Hernadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twelfth Doctor meets some teenagers running from the National Front in the eve of the Southall Riots. On the surface it`s only a space adventure but it`s deeply political and humanist. A proper Doctor Who story.

[Fern S · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to learn more about the sombre reality of England and it's communities during the 1970s. Though it was still a heartwarming story, especially the ending - the mum saying they would all go to the protests together and she would help teach her daughter to sew.

[Jon Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A note perfect evocation of the Moffat era, using the Capaldi Doctor to tell a story that’s both an underdog’s take and the modern equivalent of a fable.

[Taylor Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite authors writing about one of my favourite shows. What’s not to like?

[Sarah Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The monologues of this book are so incredibly well written. A beautiful, hopeful and intensely Doctor Who story.

[Smrt. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried on a tram because of this book. Several times.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Due to lack of time for a full written review, please see my July weeks 3 + 5 vlog, linked in bio. Posted July 28th.

[Tommy Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read for Doctor Who fans!

[Jennifer Baratta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grief and mind spaces and doctor who

[DayDreamer8912 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running away from the bad guys, Seema , Inderjit and Terrence were in trouble. Especially when they live in the country where there is racism and also they will have to fight for their lives and because of that they seek shelter in her used to be friend, Sam which at first was reluctant but he does care for them just that it was because he is afraid of his mother. And they all met the Doctor in Sam's shop. And all of them got into the broken down bus and was brought to another world which was kind of magical in a sense since Doctor became young again and all the things around them are illusions and the mastermind of it all is called itself The Cradle. This place is to save the children from feeling the pain from the outside world and they will be happy and feel the peace in this. And these friends are finding a way to get out of the place because they still have their love ones to go back to and also they want to protect their family. Can't really spoil the story you will have to find out when you read.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-cradle-a-1970s-story-by-tasha-suri/

The Cradle is set very firmly in 1978 in Southall, at a time of maximum tension caused by the National Front, with the protagonist a gay Indian teenager who is at the front line of racism.I remember an Eastercon discussion a few years ago about places that Doctor Who cannot go – the Holocaust, for example, or indeed Ireland (other than symbolically). 1970s racist London might at first sight seem to be potentially one of those places, but Tasha Suri has found a way of doing it, taking her protagonist and friends on a personal journey mentored by the Twelfth Doctor. At the end of the story everything is not all right, everyone is not OK, but the Doctor has helped and the future looks just a little better than it did. I liked this one too.

[Luke Nyul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly decent short story that tackles the subject of racism in the 1970s from the perspective of a young Indian girl and her friends. A great subject for Doctor Who to tackle and told really well! The voice of Peter Capaldi's Doctor was very clear in the Doctor's dialogue and it flowed nicely. Story itself was fairly standard when it came to alien part of the story and it does feel like it's been told before but didn't detract too much from the subject matter.

[Helen Marsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish they'd used the doctor from the 70's for this tale.

[allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's got some sweet moments to make you go "awk" but I didn't think it was anything incredible, but still a nice read