Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #781851 in Books
• Published on: 1996-01-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Synopsis
It is March 1941, and Britain''s wartime fort unes are at their nadir. But events are still following the course of history. The Doctor is therefore alarmed to discov er that the Nazis are building a superweapon that could end the war overnight. '

Customer Reviews

Just right
I approached this novel with interest as the blurb reminded me of one of the earliest 'New Adventures' - 'Timewyrm: Exodus'. The vision of an Earth where the Nazis have triumphed or will triumph is a well-worn theme in Sci-Fi but Lance Parkin has refreshed the theme; placing the action on the Channel Island of Guernsey in 1941 and setting a scene where the Nazis have a 'super weapon' that will change the course of the war.
Parkin's first 'New Adventures' novel is far more concerned with ordinary people and what drives them than green slimy monsters or Machiavellian manipulators - the treatment that Benny receives at the hands of the sadistic Nazis is unprecedented for a 'Doctor Who' companion and is right up there with any factual account of the atrocities committed in the name of Fascism.
What really works with this book is the way the author weaves the strands of the story together using Benny, Chris and Roz effectively and keeping The Doctor in the background for the majority of the story. It deals with the differing ways people perceive the 'truth' and the lengths to which they'll go to support their ideals. Pretty powerful stuff.

Harrowing!
I never read the 'New Adventures of Doctor Who' book of the same name so I can't compare the effectiveness of the two formats. But this audio CD is excellent and works really well. It doesn't suffer at all from not including the Doctor (who I hear wasn't in the book much anyway). In fact it benefits as the human frailty and suffering is really enhanced and focused on more in his absence, and Bernice is easy to relate to. Lisa Bowerman is a brilliant actress and really shines here. She makes the character and the suffering really believable. It also really makes you think about the Nazis who are also brilliantly portrayed. Once the story gets going (and it doesn't take long) you won't want to tear yourself away from it. Listening to it is a real emotional experience. Sometimes it feels like watching a car-crash - horrific but you can't turn your eyes (or ears) away. I must get more of these Bernice Summerfield adventures. Think I'll try 'Birthright' next, based on a book I have read!