Reviews

The Mythological Dimensions of Doctor Who by Kristine Larson, Melissa Beattie, Anthony S. Burdge, Leslie McMurtry, Neil Clarke, Matt Hills, C.B. Harvey, Simon Guerrier, Vincent O'Brien, Melody Green, Kristine Larsen, Jessica J. Burke

seattleserina's review

4.0

pretty interesting book of essays, although just like the show, not for everyone. I like that I'm not the only person in the world taking Doctor Who WAY too seriously :) and now that I know that being a DW scholar is a thing, I think I may have found my new calling in life!

atroskity's review

4.0

The Mythological Dimensions of Doctor Who is incredibly informative and presents some well researched theories, but do not read this if you are not prepared for some heavy-handed use of academic language. Along with wonderful examinations of the Companions as Valkyries and the significance of Middle Earth to the Whoniverse, you will also experience a great deal of "mimesis," "dialectic," and "semiotics." If this is your cup of tea, carry on; but if you are looking for direct representation of Who and specific mythologies in layman's language, you are barking up the wrong tree. I personally enjoyed this book, although the last essay had just a bit too much academic "jiggery pokery" for my taste.

One particularly clear and concise entry compared Batman and the Doctor, and you will be surprised how well these two universes reflect each other (or at least I was). The two-part examinations of the companions of the 9th and 10th Doctors through the lens of Valkyrie mythos was also very informative, and with the exception of some Nordic/Middle English words, very easy to grasp.

Overall, I found this book entertaining and enlightening, but it does require more attention and mental effort than your average book about Doctor Who.