Wallowing in our Own Weltschmerz: An Auton Guide to the Stories behind the Stories of the Seventh Doctor

by Andy Davidson, Chris Orton, Andrew Orton

Doctor Who is now in its fifty-first year and enjoying its 12th 13th 14th latest of many actors to take on the lead role. Every era is different, each actor brings their own style to the role, each producer and script editor makes their mark and probably Sylvester McCoy’s era is one of the most divisive among fandom.

It’s a dynamic three years blowing cobwebs off the memory of recent cancellation. The Doctor and the series develop over forty-five episodes until finally, sadly, just as things are on the up, the show is cancelled again.

The Auton guide to the stories behind the Seventh Doctor’s era answers all the questions fans haven’t been asking :

- Cleaning Robots: What can you actually clean with a drill and a saw blade? We tried.
- Who built the Rani’s lair? How long did it take?
- Harry’s 70+ - how old is his wife if she’s having twins in a few weeks?
- Why is the Psychic Circus so-called?
- Why do Rezzies eat Kangs when they’ve got a ready supply of teacakes, crumpets, muffin, basil and fresh cream?
- Now that we have a ‘Special Weapons’ Dalek, should we re-label all the other Daleks?
- And how did Delta fit into Mel’s dress?

We worry about these things so you don’t have to. It’s been a long time since Auton visited Doctor Who. Aided by the illustrations of Andy X Cable it’s time to get it out of our system.

Build high for happiness.

Genres: Doctor Who

Paperback

First published August 23, 2014

Reviews

[Jon Arnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

The usual childish nonsense from the Auton boys; lovingly puerile, pedantic and honeypotterific. And after all the affectionate silliness Matt West’s essay on why they chose to put the proceeds from the book to a worthy cause is heartbreaking.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, where do I start? I’ve been a fan of DW, particularly McCoys run, since 1987, so any books or documentaries about that era just fit me like a slipper…..the kind of slipper you put your manky old foot in and immediately exclaim “honeypotterific”, presumably because it’s full of bees or bannermen….but I digress….

This book is simply a must for anyone who enjoys seasons 24-26 and wants to ponder some behind the scenes nonsense. The authors obvious reverence for the source material as well as his dirty aul git sense of humour has me picking up the book probably once a year for a good old read, usually when I’m in a waiting room or waiting for the last of the missus customers to leave…I’ll pick it up and have another giggle every time the author says something like “beat off”, “camel toe” or casually talks about thieving Bonnie Langfords knickers from her dressing room.
So go on, buy it. Do it. Do it.

[James Gent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honeypotterific! An affectionate, irreverent tribute to the Sylvester McCoy era presented in the form of an obsessively obscure, pedantic episode guide. Full of absurd logic, rampant silliness and the unique artwork of Andy X Cable, it's not for purists although I do stress it is an essentially benign homage to the series, with each entry betraying a strong affection for and knowledge of a controversial period of Doctor Who. All for a worthy cause, effectively illustrated by co author Matt West's touching essay.