stampedlizzy's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
ingereyoung's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
stuckonamber's review against another edition
4.0
Novelisation of Baker and Ian Marter's 70s screenplay, Scratchman certainly feels like Doctor Who. The 4th Doctor, Sarah-Jane and Harry land on a Scottish island to find the locals are being turned into Scarecrows. This leads them into another dimension, controlled by Scratchman who wants the Doctor to take him to our universe. I enjoyed the story and the resolution. I found the first person perspective a bit strange (although it makes sense when the story is written by Tom Baker), and I'm not sure how much the courtroom scenes added to the story. Otherwise I found it a strong story.
rchristine11's review against another edition
3.5
It was enjoyable. I liked Tom Baker's audiobook narration. I'm not sure I really "get it," but I still liked listening to it anyway.
mark_atkinson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Love Tom Baker, love his narration, you can tell he was having a blast and by extension so was I. Second time I’ve listened to it, definitely enjoyed more this time.
kilcannon's review against another edition
2.0
I'm a bit disappointed that it's another "making dreams/fears real" kind of story. I'm kind of sick of those. A lot of this could've come from a Celestial Toymaker story with no changes.
thomwallacern's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this book is great. However, listening to Tom Baker read it to you is a bazillion time better! I *highly* recommend the audiobook version.
j_kent_holloway's review
5.0
I was never a fan of Doctor Who when I was a kid. It came on PBS after school every day, but I just couldn’t get past the melodramatic acting and poor special effects back then. Plus, as a kid who loved superheroes, I expected someone named Doctor Who (that’s what we all thought he was called back in those days), he should have super powers like Doctor Strange or Doctor Fate or Doctor Doom. Since he seemed like just a normal guy, I wasn’t all that interested. Then came New Who and like many Americans, I became a huge fan. Oddly enough, even though I wasn’t a fan of the show as a kid, I identified Tom Baker as *my* Doctor because he was the one I saw on PBS as a kid. As an adult, I’ve grown to be a huge fan of his. So, I was excited to hear he was writing a Doctor Who story on his own.
I wasn’t disappointed. I wondered from time to time whether the book was ghost-written because it was so well thought out and the prose was magnificent. Then, I thought about Tom Baker the man and his eloquence, and could truly see him writing as brilliantly as the prose of this novel. In the end, it doesn’t matter who wrote it. It was fantastic. And you really got a sense of the 3rd Doctor’s time in the TARDIS. It was even more so since I listened to it on audiobook with Tom Baker narrating it in a way that only Tom Baker could possibly pull off. His performance was amazing, and even if you’re not a fan of audiobooks, I strongly suggest giving this one a try. I’m sure reading the story would be just as satisfying, but hearing the Doctor laugh his boisterous laugh, and hearing the Doctor give little asides to the text...it was invigorating. And nostalgic.
But not only was the writing and the performance great, the story itself was wonderful too. It was multilayered. Deep. Witty. And smart. Everything one would expect from a Doctor Who story. I just can’t recommend this book enough. I hope you’ll pick it up and give it a try...especially if you’re a fan, but even if you’re not. You’ll thank me later.
I wasn’t disappointed. I wondered from time to time whether the book was ghost-written because it was so well thought out and the prose was magnificent. Then, I thought about Tom Baker the man and his eloquence, and could truly see him writing as brilliantly as the prose of this novel. In the end, it doesn’t matter who wrote it. It was fantastic. And you really got a sense of the 3rd Doctor’s time in the TARDIS. It was even more so since I listened to it on audiobook with Tom Baker narrating it in a way that only Tom Baker could possibly pull off. His performance was amazing, and even if you’re not a fan of audiobooks, I strongly suggest giving this one a try. I’m sure reading the story would be just as satisfying, but hearing the Doctor laugh his boisterous laugh, and hearing the Doctor give little asides to the text...it was invigorating. And nostalgic.
But not only was the writing and the performance great, the story itself was wonderful too. It was multilayered. Deep. Witty. And smart. Everything one would expect from a Doctor Who story. I just can’t recommend this book enough. I hope you’ll pick it up and give it a try...especially if you’re a fan, but even if you’re not. You’ll thank me later.
thomaswright94's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! This is a story of twists, turns, wit, charm and pure chaos! This captures the wonder of Dr Who so perfectly. The Doctor (Fourth), Sarah and Harry are characterised so well here and you really get a sense of the close bond shared between the Doctor and his friends. The plot is crazy and exciting too, starting off on a Scottish Island and taking a journey through 'Hell' itself. The dialogue is very reminiscent of a Douglas Adams novel or script which fits the tone of the Fourth Doctor superbly. The plot does in a lot of instances rely on the reader having a decent understanding of the Lore, especially when it comes to the Gallifrey sub-plot but this is very rewarding for long term fans if the show; there are a few familiar faces that pop up too!
More than anything this book is an exploration of the Doctor's character and mind, his fears and hopes and of course his sense of adventure. The villain, Scratch, is hilariously evil too, and works perfectly in a book (this was intended to be a TV serial back in the 70s but I can see why it never made it, its way too ambitious for what the BBC could achieve then).
The humour is absolutely spot on too, I did laugh out loud a few times at some of the dialogue and narration, you can definitely tell how much fun Baker and Goss were having writing this.
What has stuck with me most is the heart and emotion of the characters, I suppose this comes with a deep appreciation for Baker's Doctor and the mythos that the ending (the epilogues) that brought a tear to my eye; there is so much love in this story, both from the author and the characters, that it is, for me, an essential addition to Dr Who. Please go and read it, its absolutely superb!
More than anything this book is an exploration of the Doctor's character and mind, his fears and hopes and of course his sense of adventure. The villain, Scratch, is hilariously evil too, and works perfectly in a book (this was intended to be a TV serial back in the 70s but I can see why it never made it, its way too ambitious for what the BBC could achieve then).
The humour is absolutely spot on too, I did laugh out loud a few times at some of the dialogue and narration, you can definitely tell how much fun Baker and Goss were having writing this.
What has stuck with me most is the heart and emotion of the characters, I suppose this comes with a deep appreciation for Baker's Doctor and the mythos that the ending (the epilogues) that brought a tear to my eye; there is so much love in this story, both from the author and the characters, that it is, for me, an essential addition to Dr Who. Please go and read it, its absolutely superb!