Doctor Who: The Massacre cover art

Doctor Who: The Massacre

A 1st Doctor Novelisation

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Doctor Who: The Massacre

By: John Lucarotti
Narrated by: Peter Purves
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About this listen

 Peter Purves reads John Lucarotti's novelisation of his classic First Doctor TV adventure. The TARDIS lands in Paris on 19 August 1572. Driven by scientific curiosity, the Doctor goes to meet and exchange views with the apothecary, Charles Preslin. Before he disappears, he warns Steven to stay 'out of mischief, religion and politics'. But in 16th Century Paris it is impossible to remain a mere observer, and Steven soon finds himself involved with a group of Huguenots. The Protestant minority of France is being threatened by the Catholic hierarchy, and danger stalks the Paris streets. As Steven tries to find his way back to the TARDIS he discovers that one of the main persecutors of the Huguenots appears to be...the Doctor! Peter Purves, who played Steven in the original BBC TV series, reads this novelisation of a fondly remembered classic story, the original episodes of which are lost from the BBC archives. Science Fiction Time Travel Fiction Classics

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All stars
Most relevant
The Massacre is one of those stories sadly junked by the BBC long ago, and so it cant now be watched as a television programme. Anyone wanting to get a feel for what the original television production was like should listen to the BBC release of the recording made by fans off air (beautifully restored and narrated for release). This novelisation is not a faithful reproduction of the television series. It is a different thing altogether - a reworking of the story by the original author, John Lucarotti. That brings strengths and weaknesses. It gains a clarity that the television version lacked but at the expense of ambiguity. In particular, in the television version, it is unclear for a long time whether the Abbot is actually someone who looks just like the Doctor, or whether he is the Doctor in disguise, and that lack of certainty is a real strength. Here, there is no such uncertainty. Nonetheless, this is a well written and accomplished book that manages to be more than a mere novelisation.

Peter Purves is a strong narrator - he manages to bring a degree of characterisation and feeling to the reading without being excessive and overwhelming the story.

The Massacre - a lost gem

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Peter Purves does a perfect job here.

The story and performance are well paced.

Highly and enthusiastically recommended

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