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BooksDoctor Who

Doctor Who: The Glamour Chronicles: Big Bang Generation by Gary Russell (book review).

‘Big Bang Generation’ by Gary Russell continues the theme of the quest for the Glamour. The Doctor, alone now, arrives on Legion. If this has a familiar ring, then you are a fan and follower of Benny/Bernice Summerfield, the other archaeologist. With River Song unavailable, Benny is digging for victory. The Doctor, meanwhile, has pitched up in The White Rabbit, all the gin joints in all the universe, yada yada.

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This is my favourite tale because it unashamedly brings back Bernice Summerfield and her gang. If you like this story, then I heartily recommend the Big Finish audios penned by Mr. Russell and his fellow BF conspirators. Bright, lively and cheeky, they bring Benny into a series of adventures which culminate in her travelling companions of Ruth (best friend for life), Jack (swift, hungry and with glowing eyes-don’t ask) and son, Peter. He’s been lost, found, lost again and is half-Terrulan, which means he often sticks to hoodies as those canine ears tend to draw the wrong kind of attention. Woof. woof.

Gary Russell also bring in another great supporting cast, the true villains, those actually seeking the Glamour, unlike in Benny’s case, trying to stay alive. Globb the grifter, Kik the assassin and, yet another archaeologist, Professor Jansen are investigating a pyramid on the romantically named Aztec Moon and, rather unromantically, it is raining. Bernice arrives and is met by herself with a warning that it’s not a good idea to crack open the pyramid. Too late was the cry and then it goes all timey-wimey again.

‘The Big Bang Generation’ is crackling with wit, humour and moves at a considerable pace. It forms a neat energising reminder of how modern ‘Doctor Who’ works with barely time to shout, ‘Hey, that’s a massive plot hole’ before it picks up its skirts and runs away very fast. So a big up to Mr. Russell who seamlessly takes the Doctor and Bernice Summerfield to new heights and makes them companions in arms again.

‘Deep Time’ by Trevor Baxendale is the final part of the Glamour trilogy.

Sue Davies

March 2016

(pub: BBC Books/Ebury Publishing/Random House, 2015. 236 page small hardback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-0-84990-922-4)

check out website: www.eburypublishing.co.uk

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