Doc Martin: Practice Makes Perfect

by Sam North

Doc Practice Makes Perfect [Paperback] North, Sam

Genres: Mystery, Horses, Humor, Comedy

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 2013

Reviews

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the series of Doc Martin so this book was just right for me. It faithfully followed the series so I could picture the seaside town in fact we have visited it many times in Cornwall as it’s real name is Port Issac and have walked past the surgery and the pub and restaurant. If you enjoy the series you will love this book too.

[Julie Tombs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good adaptation from Dominic Minghellas script from the Tv Show. Great characterisation of Louise and Martin. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Heather Copping · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked the TV series Doc Martin then you will love this book, the actors and actresses play the parts so well to the descriptions in the book.
An easy read when you don't want something too complicated.

[Sara J. (kefuwa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigh. I guess this book is what you call a cross between “a distraction” and “a guilty pleasure” for me. Local library suddenly got some new books on Overdrive and the two Doc Matin books were some of my random recommendations XD. Hahahahaha. Yeah. I love Doc Martin. Can’t wait for the next season. Hilarious stuff. This book is a recap of Season 1 (more or less). I could eat this stuff with a spoon. XD

First finished: 1dec2018
Source: Overdrive

[Maryzj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Obviously I read it because I already loved the tv series, but I thought it was very well adapted and well written. I hope he writes one for all 6 series.

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2013 Ebury Press at Random House released Sam North’s book “Doc Martin: Practice Makes Perfect.” This book is part one of a two book series that features brilliant storylines of the renowned Doc Martin TV 10 year series created by Dominic Minghella. North’s book begins with events that cause Doc Martin to leave his London hospital surgeon practice to become a general practician(GP) at the fishing village in Portwenn, Cornwall, England. Dr. Martin Eillingham left his London surgery work because he developed a debilitating blood phobia caused by performing many “bloody” patient surgical operations. Doc Martin’s medical skills are exceptional, but he has awful skills in relating to people. The novel has wonderful stories about how Doc Martin uses his diagnostic and proactive medical skills to save the lives of many Portwenn patients; how he overcomes his confrontational mannerisms; and how he becomes a legendary miracle working Portwenn general practitioner. The book is very humorous, and at times the storylines are captivating with many “eye popping” surprises. (P)

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This read like an episode of Doc Martin. I've seen several seasons of Doc Martin on my local PBS station. Every Saturday Mom and I would sit down and watch another episode, until they stopped showing them. I don't know how many seasons or what seasons. But we liked the show which is why I picked up this book, no idea where.

I'm not sure if this is a carbon copy of an existing Doc Martin episode or a re-imagining of the meeting of the Doc with Louisa but I really liked it. It felt like an episode of Doc Martin. When the character spoke I heard the actor's voice. When they talked about Doc Martin's suit, I could picture him very well in one of his. When they talked about any of the characters that I knew I could picture and hear the actors.

Missing the Doc Martin series this was a nice filler. Very enjoyable. I would think this is a good book for fans of the show or just someone that wants an out of the ordinary story, characters.

Well worth reading.

[Carole Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoy getting to know the characters better from the book. Sam North brought them back to life and I can so imagine their on screen actors saying and doing their storylines. The comedy situations made me laugh out loud. I like reading the back stories and wanted to reply to some of their actions. What to read more please. Thanks Sam North.

[Sean Randall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was late to the television programme but now enjoy my hour of amusement whenever this is on air. Having not seen the earlier episodes this was a quick and diverting way of filling in some of the blanks.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t watched the Doc Martin series at all, but I’m a fan of Cornwall because I’m a huge fan of Poldark, the series and all 12 books. The Doc Martin was a quick and super fun book to read. The scenery was easy to imagine and the characters were really good! I need to see the shows!!!

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear oh dear - so pleased to finish this. I started it when I was binging on the box set.......but it's just a description of series 1. Regretfully not recommended.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like the shows, I think you will like the novelization.
A quick read full of loveable characters with many quirks.

[Virna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this.

[Angela Oatham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reassuringly exactly like the TV show.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, touching and real.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better as a Tv series as the cast is so talented, but a few bits that are better in print made it a worthwhile read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. The author is able to transport you to where it is happening. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.

[Della Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read which is an adaptation of the first series of Doc Martin

[Felicity Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Raise your hands all of you who have read a book adapted for tv/the big screen.

1...2...3.... I thought so, pretty much all of you.

Now raise your hand if you have watched a tv series only for that series to be adapted, sorry 'relived' as the synopsis tells us, as a book.

Hmm, as I thought. Not nearly as many.

As far as I can remember the first time I've come across a book that came after the adaptation. Whilst I'm open to the fact that it could work, in my opinion it didn't here.

Perhaps too big a fan of the series. Try as I might
I simply couldn't get Martin Clunes as ITV's Doc Martin out of my head and I'm afraid the Doc Martin on the page though quintessentially Doc Martin was, at the same time, quite different. Not something that can easily be explained but not nearly as, well, as gruff, as socially awkward, as lovable as the Doc Martin on the screen, I suppose I'd sum Sam North's version up as being a slightly tampered version.


Not the only thing to have suffered. Having reconciled myself to the fact that not only weren't the characters exactly like they were on the screen but, rather oddly, on paper the author somehow failed to bring them fully to life (perhaps due to their tv personas being so good?). A cold, miserable day in what is my corner of England (despite it being summer) I was at least hoping to capture some sense of Cornwall but alas this sense of place was to be denied me as well.

I guess an OK read. Probably a better one if you haven't seen the tv production. However if like me you have, be prepared to see the characters in a slightly different light whilst essentially reliving the incidents that occurred in the first series.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never having seen this British TV series I came to this novelization without expectations.
I know that the main character has been around for a while but who plays the other characters in the TV series I've no idea!

A decidedly entertaining read which you can tell was made for TV. Slightly corny in places and predictable in others! Family viewing for older children.

[Marg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could have written a better book than this. The foreshadowing was annoying and I hate it when sections of a book are told backwards, as in this case. Did not do justice to the TV series at all. I still am interested in reading the next book though, due out later this year.

[Andrew Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable but disappointed to find it was a retelling of series one.