Shada: Doctor Who: The Lost Adventure

It pains me to criticise this book as I have waited for this lost Douglas Adams Doctor Who script to be novelised for many years.
I believe the noveliser has failed to understand how DW stories from the classic TV series should be adapted or is it that he is a fan and has lost his objectivity while writing it. He has expanded on the Adams script but has not enhanced it, making the story ponderous and overloaded with superflous detail that merely slows the story pace. He has also split the book into several parts and there are over seventy chapters - I am unsure what his reasons for this are but it adds nothing to the story structure and in the audible format becomes irritating. The background detail the noveliser has added appears forced, unnecessary and often anachronistic to the TV programme. The ending goes on for ever - way past the stories dramatic conclusion. As I am reviewing the audible version I should mention that Lalla Ward in my view doesn't have the vocal aesthetics to engage and her delivery comes across as haughty. The sound effects are fine and John Leeson contributes the voice of K9 which at least gives brief respites for the listener from LWs voice (her interpretation of Chronotis's dialogue is cringe making - was the producer listening?). I drifted away so many times from listening to this dull adaptation.
Apologies to all involved and it is just my opinion but it only gets 2 stars because I still think the Douglas Adams script was potentially amazing!

This story could only be one for the fourth Doctor, the writers have captured the character created by Tom Baker and the story is all the better for it. Lala Ward reading as Romana also adds to the book. It is just a shame that the BBC lost the TV version.