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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #180
Doctor Who: The Giggle
A sinister toyshop. The Earth erupting in violence. Shockwaves travelling through history.
With old friends powerless to help, the Doctor is drawn into a deadly duel against an old nemesis who can bend reality to his will -- and change the Doctor's future for ever...
Based on a script by Russell T Davies, this thrilling third adventure for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary features David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.
With old friends powerless to help, the Doctor is drawn into a deadly duel against an old nemesis who can bend reality to his will -- and change the Doctor's future for ever...
Based on a script by Russell T Davies, this thrilling third adventure for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary features David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.
220 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2024
30 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
James Goss
230 books181 followersJames Goss has written two Torchwood novels and a radio play, as well as a Being Human book. His Doctor Who audiobook Dead Air won Best Audiobook 2010. James also spent seven years working on the BBC's official Doctor Who website and co-wrote the website for Torchwood Series One. In 2007, he won the Best Adaptation category in the annual LA Weekly Theatre Awards for his version of Douglas Adams' novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
January 2, 2024
The sheer AUDACITY of this book omg
James Goss takes an already bonkers episode of Doctor Who - the most bonkers of the three new specials starring the Doctor and his old companion, Donna Noble - and finds really clever, mischievous, narrative-defying ways to tell the same story.
As a result, this novelisation stands very much on its own as an achievement in its own right. It's a blast to read, to experience this madcap, lore-exploding adventure from quite literally a different and unexpected perspective. Goss clearly has a ton of fun here by packing his tale with literal games, per the Toymaker (the episode's main antagonist) - like a choose-your-own-adventure segment that deepens the peril and character work for Donna.
There's lots of clever touches peppered throughout this slim novel that have to be read to be properly appreciated. Goss furnishes moments of mischief and levity, but also elements that are quite deliciously dark (RIP the puppet Donna takes down in the episode).
The book works a little less well when it isn't engaging in its own highwire act of reinvention. Much of the chaotic energy in the book vanishes in the final act, alongside its unique narrator, and doesn't have quite the same profound emotional impact as the actual episode did.
Still, as a novelisation, this is excellent. It faithfully covers the events of the episode in question while very much doing its own weird, wonderful thing. Makes for a great read that doesn't just regurgitate or rehash what you've already watched.
4 to 4.5 stars, rounded up for the bonkers thrill of the narration in the novel's first 2.5 acts
James Goss takes an already bonkers episode of Doctor Who - the most bonkers of the three new specials starring the Doctor and his old companion, Donna Noble - and finds really clever, mischievous, narrative-defying ways to tell the same story.
As a result, this novelisation stands very much on its own as an achievement in its own right. It's a blast to read, to experience this madcap, lore-exploding adventure from quite literally a different and unexpected perspective. Goss clearly has a ton of fun here by packing his tale with literal games, per the Toymaker (the episode's main antagonist) - like a choose-your-own-adventure segment that deepens the peril and character work for Donna.
There's lots of clever touches peppered throughout this slim novel that have to be read to be properly appreciated. Goss furnishes moments of mischief and levity, but also elements that are quite deliciously dark (RIP the puppet Donna takes down in the episode).
The book works a little less well when it isn't engaging in its own highwire act of reinvention. Much of the chaotic energy in the book vanishes in the final act, alongside its unique narrator, and doesn't have quite the same profound emotional impact as the actual episode did.
Still, as a novelisation, this is excellent. It faithfully covers the events of the episode in question while very much doing its own weird, wonderful thing. Makes for a great read that doesn't just regurgitate or rehash what you've already watched.
4 to 4.5 stars, rounded up for the bonkers thrill of the narration in the novel's first 2.5 acts
December 16, 2023
James Goss’ novelization of “The Giggle” is easily the best of the three 60th Anniversary novelizations - and that’s saying something considering “The Giggle” is the most uneven of the three television specials. Here, Goss perfectly captures the frantic energy of the TV episode, expanding on it ways that both illuminates some of the TV version’s more unclear moments. And to make things even more delightful, the entire book is narrated by the Toymaker - complete with all kinds of little mind games, choose your own adventure moments, and all manner of boundary-pushing ideas.
Goss’ “The Giggle” is exactly what a “Doctor Who” novelization should be - a faithful retelling of the TV episode but with a new perspective. In many ways, Goss’ novelization of “The Giggle” hews closer to Moffat’s novelization of “Day of the Doctor” than either of the other 60th Anniversary novelizations. It’s playful with its source material, playful with the audience, and endless fun. It doesn’t necessarily fix any of the original’s problems but it does expand on some of the stuff the TV episode didn’t expand on - and that helps a lot.
“The Goggle” is a must-read for Doctor Who fans and might even make you appreciate the episode more than you previously did.
Goss’ “The Giggle” is exactly what a “Doctor Who” novelization should be - a faithful retelling of the TV episode but with a new perspective. In many ways, Goss’ novelization of “The Giggle” hews closer to Moffat’s novelization of “Day of the Doctor” than either of the other 60th Anniversary novelizations. It’s playful with its source material, playful with the audience, and endless fun. It doesn’t necessarily fix any of the original’s problems but it does expand on some of the stuff the TV episode didn’t expand on - and that helps a lot.
“The Goggle” is a must-read for Doctor Who fans and might even make you appreciate the episode more than you previously did.
December 14, 2023
4/5
I'm feeling...well... things. I'll come back to this later!
I'm feeling...well... things. I'll come back to this later!
January 30, 2024
This is the strange Doctor Who book full of unusual puzzles and twisted word games in fact the whole book is controlled by The Toymaker he moves the entire world. No chapters just games!
This is the best with lot of missing bits (sorry Mark) but this best book since Dalek so much more than the episode a true creepy dark gameplay
This is the best with lot of missing bits (sorry Mark) but this best book since Dalek so much more than the episode a true creepy dark gameplay
October 28, 2024
My first 5 Star Doctor Who read of 2024 I believe. I really think this is the standard for what Target novels should be. It's the story of the episode but takes you on an exclusive ride that you can't simply get from watching it. So a big high five to James Goss for this one. With any luck he'll get more Target work in the future.
June 26, 2024
book #2 of euro summer! such a perfect use of this novelisation format: adding onto the original episode in such a fun and creative way. not to mention the endless jokes that goss peppers in, because I am obsessed with his sense of humour. really just a perfect adaptation. (still remaining about 4 because vibes!)
June 11, 2025
This is some of the coolest storytelling I've seen in a while. It's a genuinely good adventure, but it also incorporates stimulating graphics and choose-your-own-adventure elements which bring the narrative as well as the Toymaker to life. I should probably watch the actual episode some day.
January 15, 2024
A glorious read. Fun and inventive. It doesn't stray too far from the source material, but it's a cheeky adaptation with some hilarious fourth-wall breaking shenanigans.
Amidst the silliness and the drama though, is that gorgeous chapter (or 'Move') toward the end, which gives us a look at the Fourth Doctor's new life. It's beautiful and lovely.
Highly recommended!
Amidst the silliness and the drama though, is that gorgeous chapter (or 'Move') toward the end, which gives us a look at the Fourth Doctor's new life. It's beautiful and lovely.
Highly recommended!
January 21, 2024
❤️99% = Superb!
Adapted by Big Finish stalwart James Goss from Russell T Davies’s bonkers script, The Giggle is a tongue-in-cheek and creative novelization, faithfully adapting but also fleshing out the televised version of the story. Some sequences are extended slightly, and Goss effectively deepens the characterization through inner monologue and the characters' thoughts. But these aren't the true talking points of the adventure.
What Goss does here is unlike any Target novelization we've had so far. He takes the reader on a wild and unexpected ride and plays around with us as if he were the Toymaker himself and we were his playthings. He can spend an entire chapter talking about things that aren't directly relevant to the story. Then there are games and puzzles embedded between the chapters. The Toymaker occasionally comments on the events of the story, and later on, he completely takes over as the narrator, even addressing the reader directly. This unexpected writing style adds more value to an otherwise familiar story, as we never quite know what's going to happen as we turn the page.
The most fun this book has is when it invites you to play the door game with the Toymaker. You can choose your own adventure by picking a door and seeing where it leads you. Goss also cleverly works around the phenomenal Spice Up Your Life scene from the episode (since he cannot reproduce the actual lyrics, he creates a musical number of his own).
I love how Goss expands upon the ending of the story, telling us exactly how the Doctor came by the house he and the Temple Nobles are living in.
The chapters are called Moves (and there are 55 of them!), with each chapter representing a move in the larger game that is the narrative of The Giggle.
Adapted by Big Finish stalwart James Goss from Russell T Davies’s bonkers script, The Giggle is a tongue-in-cheek and creative novelization, faithfully adapting but also fleshing out the televised version of the story. Some sequences are extended slightly, and Goss effectively deepens the characterization through inner monologue and the characters' thoughts. But these aren't the true talking points of the adventure.
What Goss does here is unlike any Target novelization we've had so far. He takes the reader on a wild and unexpected ride and plays around with us as if he were the Toymaker himself and we were his playthings. He can spend an entire chapter talking about things that aren't directly relevant to the story. Then there are games and puzzles embedded between the chapters. The Toymaker occasionally comments on the events of the story, and later on, he completely takes over as the narrator, even addressing the reader directly. This unexpected writing style adds more value to an otherwise familiar story, as we never quite know what's going to happen as we turn the page.
The most fun this book has is when it invites you to play the door game with the Toymaker. You can choose your own adventure by picking a door and seeing where it leads you. Goss also cleverly works around the phenomenal Spice Up Your Life scene from the episode (since he cannot reproduce the actual lyrics, he creates a musical number of his own).
I love how Goss expands upon the ending of the story, telling us exactly how the Doctor came by the house he and the Temple Nobles are living in.
The chapters are called Moves (and there are 55 of them!), with each chapter representing a move in the larger game that is the narrative of The Giggle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
Mis dieces a James Goss porque ha dado con una manera espectacular de transformar en narración un episodio tan frenético como The Giggle.
Tiene detalles que me parecen una absoluta genialidad. Para empezar, que el Juguetero sea el narrador aporta un punto de vista refrescante… e inquietante, en ocasiones. Hay una parte del libro que se convierte en capítulos estilo «elige tu propia aventura», hay sopas de letras, hay laberintos… Y el sangrado y la alineación del texto se modifican acorde a los sucesos de la historia de una manera dinánimca, divertida y que simplifica el entendimiento de una parte del episodio que, narrada de manera convencional, podría haber sido algo tediosa.
Una novelización muy chula, de verdad. Recomendadísima.
Tiene detalles que me parecen una absoluta genialidad. Para empezar, que el Juguetero sea el narrador aporta un punto de vista refrescante… e inquietante, en ocasiones. Hay una parte del libro que se convierte en capítulos estilo «elige tu propia aventura», hay sopas de letras, hay laberintos… Y el sangrado y la alineación del texto se modifican acorde a los sucesos de la historia de una manera dinánimca, divertida y que simplifica el entendimiento de una parte del episodio que, narrada de manera convencional, podría haber sido algo tediosa.
Una novelización muy chula, de verdad. Recomendadísima.
January 28, 2024
Goss can't fix the problems of the story as seen on TV. Or maybe he just can't be bothered too, because there's a lot of added colour here and there that doesn't appear in the episode. However, gosh, what colour he manages to drip in here! Creative formatting shenanigans! Actual puzzles to solve! An extended Choose Your Own Adventure section that can send you through pretty clever trapdoors! At some point the Toymaker takes over as the narrator and stays so for the longest while! I wouldn't have thought this possible, but this novelization is actually better than the original TV version.
Whereas these modern Target novels often seem to be for people who like buying merch, this one is for the people who love to read. Get this one if you!
Whereas these modern Target novels often seem to be for people who like buying merch, this one is for the people who love to read. Get this one if you!
August 5, 2024
Of the 3 60th anniversary novelizations, this is easily the most imaginative and boundary stretching, especially in its first half. The finale is more straightforward, as it has a great deal of plot events to adapt, but it's nice to see James Goss having a great deal of fun with the premise and structure of a Target novel...less Terrance Dicks and more Donald Cotton.
August 18, 2024
So much fun, so great
August 26, 2024
I think I lost the game 💀the end.
February 6, 2024
Just so much fun. The doctor deserves his rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2024
4 1/2 ⭐️
December 18, 2023
Out of the 3 novelisations of the 60th Anniversary Specials this one is by far the best one.
Unlike the other two which were rudimentary retellings of the stories that we watched on TV, this one expands the story just enough with added details that makes the story feel more cohesive and the way this book chooses to adapt some scenes from the episode are very creative and well crafted.
On top of all of this some of the descriptions in this book are truly beautiful and on multiple occasions made me stop to appreciate the writing of this book.
Unlike the other two which were rudimentary retellings of the stories that we watched on TV, this one expands the story just enough with added details that makes the story feel more cohesive and the way this book chooses to adapt some scenes from the episode are very creative and well crafted.
On top of all of this some of the descriptions in this book are truly beautiful and on multiple occasions made me stop to appreciate the writing of this book.
December 21, 2023
This novel was really unexpected in that it has a bunch of mini games.
January 6, 2026
This one is easily one of the most creative Target novelizations. James Goss's adaptation of the TV story The Giggle, which sees the Fourteenth Doctor battling the Toymaker, has so much fun with the format of the Target novel. The scene from the episode where the Doctor and Donna are lost in a labyrinth of corridors is represented as a choose your own adventure where you pick which door to enter, for instance. It really makes it a completely different and unique experience to watching the TV episode. I also find it quite clever how the chapters are instead called 'moves'. Thematically, it works with the idea that the Toymaker is playing games with the reader as well as the Doctor, Donna and UNIT.
There's some nice additions to the original story here, too. I particularly liked the brief flashback to the Fourth Doctor picking up Kate Lethbridge-Stewart as a child from school. It's a great way of showing Kate's strong connection to the Doctor, not just through her father, but through her own experiences with the Time Lord too.
There's some nice additions to the original story here, too. I particularly liked the brief flashback to the Fourth Doctor picking up Kate Lethbridge-Stewart as a child from school. It's a great way of showing Kate's strong connection to the Doctor, not just through her father, but through her own experiences with the Time Lord too.
December 17, 2023
Phenomenal story!
Oh man I enjoyed this one!
I am so sorry Bernard died!
Thank you Donna and Mel.
Read this book and enjoy!
Oh man I enjoyed this one!
I am so sorry Bernard died!
Thank you Donna and Mel.
Read this book and enjoy!
Read
December 15, 2023Wow great use of a choose your own adventure book. Also it has puzzles.
December 15, 2023
Loads of fun! Absolutely captures the energy of the episode, while expanding on it in ways unique to this medium. Bought the book this morning and by the afternoon I was done, what a delight.
September 15, 2024
I wish more Target books were like this. It does what this series of novelisations is supposed to: not just recreate the story but amplify it, add to and reimagine things we’ve seen on screen. Reframing the whole story as one the Toymaker is narrating is a stroke of genius, the incorporation of games, including the choose your own adventure, which James Goss folds throughout the story brings a sense of fun and unpredictability to the text.
It was a great story on television, but this is a rare case where the additional material and alterations to the story improve upon the original. More of these from James Goss please!
It was a great story on television, but this is a rare case where the additional material and alterations to the story improve upon the original. More of these from James Goss please!
July 23, 2024
This was great. Whilst I enjoyed the episode that this book is based on I loved all the extra details contained within this novelisation that we obviously didn't get a chance to see. Although one thing I was a little disappointed at was my fave scene from the episode had to be changed slightly due to rights reasons. I completely understand it just made it weird despite the content being roughly the same. But even this didn't dent my enthusiasm for this book. It was super good.
October 26, 2024
“The Giggle” por James Goss es la novela caótica que te esperas del último episodio del 60 aniversario. Diría que es… destornillante… si me perdonáis el terrible juego de palabras. Este libro demuestra que aún la editorial Target puede dar mucho juego, siempre y cuando se haga bien. ¡Y vaya que James Goss lo hace bien! No diría que es un título imprescindible, pero es lo suficientemente entretenido y original para llevarse 4 estrellas de 5.
January 11, 2025
“That was the thing about the TARDIS: it had a drag queen sense of timekeeping. Always making a big entrance just a bit late.”
—
“Oh, this Donna! She was fearless! She was taking on not just the last of the Time Lords, she was also taking on me! What did she know of the ancient rules that held creation together? My my, she didn’t care.”
—
“He waited for the two of them to come out of the TARDIS before he played his move. The thrilled newborn, jumping from one foot to another in UNIT HQ, flapping a giant hammer like a paper airplane! He was aware of what he could be, what he could do. He was the Doctor! And he wanted them to see it.”
This is the only Target novelization that works just as well as a novel than as a TV special. That's not to berate The Day of the Doctor or Twice Upon a Time, which were perfect companions to their specials and added so much context and emotion to the existing material -- but James Goss' The Giggle expands and explores the character emotions and development while also being a suitable alternative to the episode. This style isn't better or worse than the former two, it's just great in a different way.
James Goss is a master at intricate and weird storytelling. After listening to his work on The Tenth Doctor Adventures at Big Finish (especially "Death and the Queen" and "Expiry Dating") I fell in love with his unique style of writing Doctor Who. In fact, the only reason I read this was because of Goss; I thought the TV special was a lot of fun, but I didn’t adore it enough to read the novelization. But I’m very glad that I did.
The framing device of the book (that it’s from the Toymaker’s perspective) is so unique and allows for some truly wonderfully witty prose. Goss does this without sacrificing the internal monologue of the main characters, though — it’s just framed as if the Toymaker knows what everyone is thinking, which makes sense.
The characterization is also incredible. I loved what the special did for the Doctor and Donna, but this book expands on that and gives us insight and context into the depth of their emotions. Goss makes a point of commenting on the Doctor’s soul and how tired he is, and Donna is a balancing point. She’s so used to living day-to-day on earth, and she reminds him that everything will work out. Even when he’s at his lowest, she’s able to bring a little light to his life. This is an interesting dynamic switch from her original run with the Doctor when he was the one bringing light into her life and convincing her that she was extraordinary. But even so, Donna’s grounded mess hasn’t changed from her original run, so their dynamic is familiar enough that it feels genuine.
I also really love the characterization of the 15th Doctor, even if he was only there for a short while. Goss was really good at capturing his wide-eyed, wizened attitude in a way that’s just as fun as it is to watch on screen.
Goss’ prose is also just gorgeous. This man knows how to write, and Doctor Who fits his wacky style perfectly.
—
“Oh, this Donna! She was fearless! She was taking on not just the last of the Time Lords, she was also taking on me! What did she know of the ancient rules that held creation together? My my, she didn’t care.”
—
“He waited for the two of them to come out of the TARDIS before he played his move. The thrilled newborn, jumping from one foot to another in UNIT HQ, flapping a giant hammer like a paper airplane! He was aware of what he could be, what he could do. He was the Doctor! And he wanted them to see it.”
This is the only Target novelization that works just as well as a novel than as a TV special. That's not to berate The Day of the Doctor or Twice Upon a Time, which were perfect companions to their specials and added so much context and emotion to the existing material -- but James Goss' The Giggle expands and explores the character emotions and development while also being a suitable alternative to the episode. This style isn't better or worse than the former two, it's just great in a different way.
James Goss is a master at intricate and weird storytelling. After listening to his work on The Tenth Doctor Adventures at Big Finish (especially "Death and the Queen" and "Expiry Dating") I fell in love with his unique style of writing Doctor Who. In fact, the only reason I read this was because of Goss; I thought the TV special was a lot of fun, but I didn’t adore it enough to read the novelization. But I’m very glad that I did.
The framing device of the book (that it’s from the Toymaker’s perspective) is so unique and allows for some truly wonderfully witty prose. Goss does this without sacrificing the internal monologue of the main characters, though — it’s just framed as if the Toymaker knows what everyone is thinking, which makes sense.
The characterization is also incredible. I loved what the special did for the Doctor and Donna, but this book expands on that and gives us insight and context into the depth of their emotions. Goss makes a point of commenting on the Doctor’s soul and how tired he is, and Donna is a balancing point. She’s so used to living day-to-day on earth, and she reminds him that everything will work out. Even when he’s at his lowest, she’s able to bring a little light to his life. This is an interesting dynamic switch from her original run with the Doctor when he was the one bringing light into her life and convincing her that she was extraordinary. But even so, Donna’s grounded mess hasn’t changed from her original run, so their dynamic is familiar enough that it feels genuine.
I also really love the characterization of the 15th Doctor, even if he was only there for a short while. Goss was really good at capturing his wide-eyed, wizened attitude in a way that’s just as fun as it is to watch on screen.
Goss’ prose is also just gorgeous. This man knows how to write, and Doctor Who fits his wacky style perfectly.
March 12, 2024
This. THIS is what I've been hoping for from these recent Doctor Who novelizations, a winking adaptation that elevates its source material into something even madder and ever more brilliant. Don't get me wrong: this James Goss novel obviously owes its existence to the original Russell T. Davies script, and there are elements of the TV special that can't be captured well outside of that medium, from the visual effects and a certain memorable dance number to guest star Neil Patrick Harris's intentionally broad accent work (though the audiobook narrator Dan Starkey does his best to channel that). I wouldn't recommend it as a substitute for actually watching the episode, if any potential reader out there were remotely considering that approach. But it is a lovely way to revisit the story and find a new spin on its events, beginning with the author's audacious choice to write everything from the perspective of the omniscient villain the Toymaker.
As he relates this adventure, the antagonistic creature from beyond our reality regularly breaks the fourth wall, offers wittily snide remarks about his opponents, and just generally seems to be having a great time. It's in line with the overall manic energy of the piece -- which finds the character wreaking havoc across contemporary earth by means of a signal he planted back in the first television broadcast in 1925 and culminates in the Time Lord hero 'bi-generating' into David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa alike, with the outgoing and incoming Doctors teaming up to defeat their common foe -- and is packed with all manner of delightful turns of phrasing. We even get a few bonus scenes and flashback memories, which neither Gary Russell's version of The Star Beast nor Mark Morris's take on Wild Blue Yonder found much room for. All in all, a true triumph of its form.
[Content warning for gun violence and racism.]
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As he relates this adventure, the antagonistic creature from beyond our reality regularly breaks the fourth wall, offers wittily snide remarks about his opponents, and just generally seems to be having a great time. It's in line with the overall manic energy of the piece -- which finds the character wreaking havoc across contemporary earth by means of a signal he planted back in the first television broadcast in 1925 and culminates in the Time Lord hero 'bi-generating' into David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa alike, with the outgoing and incoming Doctors teaming up to defeat their common foe -- and is packed with all manner of delightful turns of phrasing. We even get a few bonus scenes and flashback memories, which neither Gary Russell's version of The Star Beast nor Mark Morris's take on Wild Blue Yonder found much room for. All in all, a true triumph of its form.
[Content warning for gun violence and racism.]
Like this review?
--Throw me a quick one-time donation here!
https://ko-fi.com/lesserjoke
--Subscribe here to support my writing and weigh in on what I read next!
https://patreon.com/lesserjoke
--Follow along on Goodreads here!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
--Or click here to browse through all my reviews!
https://lesserjoke.home.blog
Read
January 28, 2024Undoubtedly the closest I've ever read a Target novelisation to watching the TV story, though certainly not the closest it could be done - there's already one for the Christmas episode. But of last year's specials, this was the only one I fancied, a decision that had nothing to do with the merits of the stories, just with Goss being far the best of the current crop of jobbing Who writers (and also, at the Target birthday event, telling a very entertaining story about the advance screening this gig got him into). He doesn't disappoint; sometimes it's simply being able to give a scene more room to breathe, or a lovely little flourish in the prose (the TARDIS "had a drag queen's sense of timekeeping, always making a big entrance, just a bit late."). Elsewhere, it's more formal, the sort of thing which explicitly emphasises the book as book; it doesn't have chapters, it has moves, and most of them are the usual narrative sequence of sentences, but others might be a wordsearch or a maze. And for all that there's Disney money sloshing around now, the effects in the books are still better; here the opening scene is Wilf in London, not a body double who'd shame Ed Wood in a city that's suddenly flipped back from Camden to Cardiff. There's space for more backstory, little bits of connective tissue - and at least two of the new scenes had me tearing up. If I have eine teensy ge-complaint, it's that while Goss explicitly canonises the Fourteenth Doctor's one comic strip story, he could have at least left an ambiguity about the two non-screened Toymaker stories between the original and this, rather than making this so definitely a second encounter . Although, even without the standard timey-wimey excuse, I can think of an easy way around that. It might also be considered cruel how much of the story is turning 'Don't you think she looks tired?' back around on Tennant, but really, that was in the TV version, it was just that so much louder stuff was happening that it wasn't as noticeable. For the most part, though, a classic Target job of taking a story that already had plenty to enjoy and giving it a rejig to really make it purr.
March 3, 2024
Rating between 3.5 & 4
Easily the best of the 60th anniversary series (or trilogy) but was still a bit of a curates egg for me.
The ott nature of the tv episode was adapted very well by the author , slightly altered in places I think, although haven’t rewatched so could just be a misremembering from me.
The format of the novel was a bit mad and at times wasn’t the easiest thing to read, I could see younger readers getting annoyed, confused or both at the same time.
The actual plot I enjoyed generally with some reservations tbh.
The attack of the toymaker essentially making everyone believe they are right and everyone else wrong fits in well with modern society . Surprised at RTD actually using this as a plot point as generally those in the tv & movie industry always seem to believe exactly this, and being considered on the left of politics are as illiberal as those on the right.
Anyways ..
Still don’t like the whole bi-generation thing - for me it potentially downplays the sacrifice of the doctor to ‘save the day’ if this could happen again in the future.
Also didn’t really like the reason for 14 having the same face as 10 that appears in the novel and what happens after the toymaker is defeated by 15 & 14. Yes it is ‘happy ever after’ ending but for me cheapens what happened before.
The new version of the toymaker was interesting but found him too ott to be as sinister and threatening as his previous appearances in classic who and other materials.
It was despite the slightly odd format, a quick and easy read that passed the day very quickly.
Would recommend it but probably only if reading all 3 of the anniversary stories together, otherwise it doesn’t make much sense.
Overall an okay read that was enjoyable enough (and so much better then the other 2) to be upgraded to 4 rather than downgraded to 3.
Easily the best of the 60th anniversary series (or trilogy) but was still a bit of a curates egg for me.
The ott nature of the tv episode was adapted very well by the author , slightly altered in places I think, although haven’t rewatched so could just be a misremembering from me.
The format of the novel was a bit mad and at times wasn’t the easiest thing to read, I could see younger readers getting annoyed, confused or both at the same time.
The actual plot I enjoyed generally with some reservations tbh.
The attack of the toymaker essentially making everyone believe they are right and everyone else wrong fits in well with modern society . Surprised at RTD actually using this as a plot point as generally those in the tv & movie industry always seem to believe exactly this, and being considered on the left of politics are as illiberal as those on the right.
Anyways ..
Still don’t like the whole bi-generation thing - for me it potentially downplays the sacrifice of the doctor to ‘save the day’ if this could happen again in the future.
Also didn’t really like the reason for 14 having the same face as 10 that appears in the novel and what happens after the toymaker is defeated by 15 & 14. Yes it is ‘happy ever after’ ending but for me cheapens what happened before.
The new version of the toymaker was interesting but found him too ott to be as sinister and threatening as his previous appearances in classic who and other materials.
It was despite the slightly odd format, a quick and easy read that passed the day very quickly.
Would recommend it but probably only if reading all 3 of the anniversary stories together, otherwise it doesn’t make much sense.
Overall an okay read that was enjoyable enough (and so much better then the other 2) to be upgraded to 4 rather than downgraded to 3.
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August 3, 2025Une adaptation en roman de l'épisode télévisée du même nom de Doctor Who, c'est la première fois que j'en achète un pour le lire et ce, pour plusieurs raisons: j'ai adoré l'épisode télévisé et j'étais vraiment intrigué à savoir comment James Goss (qui n'a pas écrit l'épisode télévisé) l'adapterais en roman. Si on adresse l'adaptation, c'est assez génial, on a un point de vue assez unique (pas de spoiler!) sur le roman à travers une voix narrative très différente de ce à quoi on s'attend. On intègre aussi plusieurs "jeux" dont une petite partie de "roman dont vous êtes le héros" où on peut choisir le chapitre qui est lu par la suite ce qui est vraiment une très bonne idée d'adaptation. Le numéro musical aussi a sa propre "twist" intéressante qui permet d'offrir quelque chose de neuf et de différent de l'épisode télévisée tout en gardant l'essentiel de ce qu'il s'y passe. Bref, une adaptation qui propose ses idées tout en gardant l'essentiel des péripéties de l'épisode télévisé.
Ça m'a juste donné une petite impression, par moment, de s'adresser à un public plus jeune que moi (malgré certains thèmes abordés) dans sa narration ou ses jeux un peu simple par moment, mais ça peut être juste moi qui a moins accroché aux aspects ludiques du roman.
Je serais vraiment intrigué· de voir si quelqu'un·e a déjà lu les romans plutôt que les épisodes télévisés (même si tous les épisodes n'ont pas été adaptés) et comment son expérience de la franchise peut être influencé par cette lecture plutôt qu'un visionnage. Même si les scènes, ce qu'il s'y déroule, etc. est essentiellement similaire, le regard narratif, comment certains enjeux sont abordés, etc. sont aussi drastiquement différents et amène un autre regard sur une même période de canon.
Ça m'a juste donné une petite impression, par moment, de s'adresser à un public plus jeune que moi (malgré certains thèmes abordés) dans sa narration ou ses jeux un peu simple par moment, mais ça peut être juste moi qui a moins accroché aux aspects ludiques du roman.
Je serais vraiment intrigué· de voir si quelqu'un·e a déjà lu les romans plutôt que les épisodes télévisés (même si tous les épisodes n'ont pas été adaptés) et comment son expérience de la franchise peut être influencé par cette lecture plutôt qu'un visionnage. Même si les scènes, ce qu'il s'y déroule, etc. est essentiellement similaire, le regard narratif, comment certains enjeux sont abordés, etc. sont aussi drastiquement différents et amène un autre regard sur une même période de canon.
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