Doctor Who and the Green Death

Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #29

by Malcolm Hulke

The Green Death begins slowly. In a small Welsh mining village a man emerges from the disused colliery covered in a green fungus. Minutes later he is dead. UNIT, Jo Grant and Doctor Who in tow, arrive on the scene to investigate, but strangely reluctant to assist their enquiries is Dr Stevens, director of the local refinery Panorama Chemicals.

Are they in time to destroy the mysterious power which threatens them all before the whole village, and even the world, is wiped out by a deadly swarm of green maggots?

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Media Tie In, Fantasy, Time Travel

142 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 1975

About the author

Malcolm Hulke was a British science fiction writer best known for his tenure as a writer on the popular series Doctor Who. He is credited with writing eight stories for Doctor Who, mostly featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee. With Terrance Dicks, he wrote the final serial of Patrick Troughton's run as the Doctor, the epic ten-part story "The War Games." Hulke may be best known for writing "The Silurians," the story that created the titular race that is still featured in Doctor Who. Hulke's stories were well-known for writing characters that were not black and white in terms of morality: there was never a clear good guy vs. bad guy bent to his story.

Hulke joined the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1945 and worked briefly as a typist in the party's headquarters. He left the party in 1951, objecting to the Soviet Union's hostility to Yugoslavia and its line on the Korean War, but soon rejoined, and appears to have remained a member of the party, on until the early 1960s. His politics remained firmly on the left, and this was reflected in his writings, which often explored anti-authoritarian, environmental, and humanist themes.

In addition to his television writing, Hulke wrote the novelizations of seven television Doctor Who stories, each of which had written for the screen. He died at the age of fifty-four, shortly before his novelization of "The War Games" would be published.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one with the Giant Maggots!

One of the best Pertwee stories gets the perfect novelisation treatment by Hulke.
The show has always tackled relevant issues, with this story focusing on Panorama Chemicals who start to pollute the small mining village in Wales.
Talk of oil replacing coal would have been a hot topic during the mid-seventies.

With environmental issues at the forefront of Jo’s mind she decides to head to Llanfairfach in South Wales, whilst their she meets the Nobel prize winning Professor Clifford Jones and a budding romance soon blossoms.
The characterisation is vastly improved upon in this novel, as the pair slowly fall for each other feels more authentic.

Condensing Six episodes to the Target page count can be tricky, but I felt like Hulke included all the main beats.
I practically liked the scene from the maggots POV, it’s a nice shortcut to keep the plot moving whilst also a throwback to The Cave Monster’s novel.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Malcolm Hulke's novelization of the fifth serial of the tenth season of Doctor Who. The script was written by Robert Sloman and the show was broadcast in May and June of 1973. It features the third incarnation of The Doctor with his companion Jo Grant, and they're accompanied by several familiar UNIT personnel including Sergeant Benton, Captain Mike Yates, and, of course, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. The book doesn't follow the broadcast version as closely as most of the Target novelizations, having a few name changes and scenes summarized and alternate viewpoints introduced. It's the story of green mutant maggots in a Welsh mine which must be stopped from wreaking havoc, and The Doctor finds that an evil supercomputer (is there any other kind?) named BOSS has been manipulating them and causing the humans to be infected. Hulke does a good job in describing the monsters and their underground environment, and the story is an exciting and entertaining one. Hulke manages to infuse some bits of feminism, ecological awareness, and corporate responsibility into what was seen at the time as a book for kids. At the end Jo announces she's going to get married to one of the scientists and her parting from The Doctor is piquantly told.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story just to see what the famous old Dr.Who books were really like.
First you must remember that the books were adapted directly from the TV programmes series (not the usual other-way round) and therefore the story and character backgrounds are necessarily light. One can easily detect the TV scene/effects through out the story.

The story surprisingly contains many modern connations. Modern chemical industries closing down traditional industries (in this case coal mining) and dumping toxic waste in which the maggots breed, and all because a 'Hal'-like super-computer thinks it knows best. Mix in a hippy-like 'green' science research colony and a bit of love interest plus the 'Doctor', and naturally good will triumph over bad!

The story is a light, amusing, fast, old fashioned sort of read, aimed at, I would guess, a teenage readership. As an oldie I enjoyed it too. It bought back fond memories of the late 70s~80s. Would I read another? No; but I am glad I read this one.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seem to be spending an awful lot of time with old Dr Who at the moment. Listening to audio books at work, watching a lot of old 1-3 doctors adventures and read this novel in a day! I am really enjoying it though. In many ways I much prefer the older adventures when the doctor wasn't omnipotent and all the minor characters were competent and weren't waiting to be "inspired" by the doctor's brilliance but rather just got on with things and were much more competent in general. This was an interesting story about an evil chemical company who were trying to make money by improving the quality of oil while making a huge amount of industrial waste, industrial waste that was completely deadly to humans and also produced killer maggots! It was a bit of a silly story, but you could tell they were trying to treat serious issues such as pollution and environmental sustainability, which is quite god for a kids scifi show in the 70s. There was also the political and economic issue of the closure of the mines, not to mention the problems between the Welsh and the English! Jo was quite odd in this. At first I thought it was an early episode for her when they decided she was going to be a "women's libber" and kept calling people on their sexist terminology (which given Pertwee's tendency to be a bit condescending was probably a good balance). But it turned out to be her last episode. There was a completely unbelievable romance with the hippie scientist. They seemed to have fallen in love after having one conversation and spending the evening together, then they kissed once, then she decided to leave the doctor and marry him! It seemed as silly as when Leela fell in love, particularly as Jo was there to represent women's independence! I know when she returns to Sarah Jane this autumn she's going to have her grandson with her and I'm wondering if he will be related to the same scientist or if it'll be re-written! Still it was nice to see her all competent and active, and not just standing around screaming (though there was a bit of that with the maggots). The Doctor and the Brigadier were brilliant bickering all the time like an old married couple. (I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere hidden away on the internet is some Brigadier/Doctor) It was interesting to see the Brigadier so much out of his element and having to take orders from the company and the miners. All in all an enjoyable read and I look forward to watching the episodes, even if they won't be as realistic as I pictured while reading it!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back in the mid-70's, the "Doctor Who" production team decided to make an environmental statement. The result was "The Green Death" which thanks to the visuals of a horde of giant green maggots is firmly entrenched in the memories of "Who" fans of that era.

Watching the story and hearing the audio book of the Malcolm Hulke novelization are two very different things. As with most of his "Who" adaptations, Hulke doesn't follow the scripts beat for beat. The telling of the story is clearly meant to be stronger on character and setting than it is on the pure driving action of the televised version. The romance between Jo Grant and Clifford Jones feels more authentic in the novel, though it was reasonably well executed in the six-part adventure. And the horror of what is being created by the evil chemical company is more effectively conveyed on the printed page.

The novel works better when it comes to BOSS, though this portion of the story is clearly dated. I'm sure in 1974, BOSS, a giant computer bent on global domination, seemed cutting edge. But in the post "War Games" era, BOSS's plans are less exciting than they may have been in the mid-70's. But as with all "Who," it's a product of its era.

Of course, this novel is probably most well known for the sequence told from the third person, maggot point of view. The sequence has been exaggerated among the fan community for its silliness and it actually does help drive the plot and create some atmosphere for the novel.

As far as "Doctor Who" novelizations go, this is one of the stronger ones of its era. Malcolm Hulke does a nice job adapting the scripts, all while adding his own flourishes to make the story his.

[Paul Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Target] (1985). SB. 142 Pages. Reprint. Purchased from Zardoz Books.

A few of Allan Willow’s illustrations are unintentionally comical. He somehow contrived to make the Doctor’s companion look scarier than a giant, carnivorous maggot bearing down upon her. Not long after - clearly shaken up - she took umbrage with the 725 year old Time Lord asking her to make him a coffee whilst he focused upon repelling the human race’s latest existential threat.

Topically revolves around environmental damage, fossil fuels, industrial greed, corruption and alternative power sources.

Clumsily written in places. Highly enjoyable overall; evocative of 70s T.V. and the series’ distantly departed golden years.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Doctor Who and the Green Death” (Doctor Who Library (Target) #29) by Malcolm Hulke

Just as good if not better than the original TV episodes. ****

"He gestured to the crowd on the other side of the gate. … 'The usual unemployed layabouts.'"

(STEVENS): “Oil is our future now and the government agrees with me. They have not only given us the go-ahead for our plans, they have promised us money for future expansion! I have it here in black and white!
(Cheers all round.)
“This means money for all of us! More jobs, more housing, more cars!”
(The older folk cheer, but there is a group of long haired hippies off to the side.)
(JONES): “... more muck, more devastation, and more death!”
(ELGIN, assistant to Stevens): “It's that Professor Jones. He's a troublemaker.
STEVENS: It seems that some who do not agree with my vision of the future. But there are always those who resist progress.
JONES: “You call it progress? Don't listen to him. He's only interested in fatter profits for Panorama Chemicals at the expense of your land, the air you breathe, and the health of your kids!”1
EVANS: “It's all right for you. You can afford to live the way you want to. We need jobs. We don't want to live on nuts.” ….
JONES: “[Can't you see] you are being exploited?”
(pages 9-13)
- - -

“Our stupid government has told Panorama chemicals that they can go ahead with their plans to try and manufacture oil artificially. The result could be universal pollution.” - Jo (p19)
- - -

'What's your solution?' - Jo
'Solar energy,' he said emphatically (Jones). (p26)
- - -

“Then he paid out the hose, so that it hung from the window to the open ground below” (p130)
Paid? Or laid?
- - -

“What is it?”
“Demonstrators,' replied the voice of a security guard. 'Lots of them.' (p55)

“Those idiots, Dr. Stevens thought, banging drums and shouting, might have good intentions, but they were not realists. What the world wanted was more and more petrol and diesel, for industry, airplanes, and road vehicles. As for pollution caused through the continued use of oil, that was the price mankind had to pay. But in time, Dr. Stevens believed, even this problem could be solved. Professor Jones and his followers lived in a world of make-believe.
The clock of technological progress could not be turned back.” (p56)
- -

Other quotes include:

[H]e stood at the window and looked out towards the mountains. Years ago he had enjoyed climbing mountains. But now his family had all deserted him, leaving a gap in his life that could only be filled by work. He was delighted when he was invited to become director of the main British plant of Panorama Chemicals because he realized this was a job of such size and complexity he would be able to devote night and day to it. What he did not realize was that the job would provide him with the best and most faithful friend he had ever had.
[…]
Dr. Stevens had enjoyed studying history when he was a boy at school Sometimes he wished he was still there. But now he was a man and had the responsibilities of a man.

Those idiots, Dr. Stevens thought, banging drums and shouting, might have good intentions, but they were not realists. What the world wanted was more and more petrol and diesel, for industry, airplanes, and road vehicles. As for pollution caused through the continued use of oil, that was the price mankind had to pay. But in time, Dr. Stevens believed, even this problem could be solved. Professor Jones and his followers lived in a world of make-believe.
The clock of technological progress could not be turned back.

“Security is the main consideration,” Dr. Stevens was saying.
“Yes, of course,” agreed the Brigadier without thinking,  because it seemed the right thing to say.

“What if we made that other lift independent?”
“By Jove,” said the Brigadier. “You mean so that it could work on its own?”
“That,” said the Doctor, “is what “independent” means.”

“I recall a time, Dr. Stevens, when Great Britain could regard itself as a sovereign state, answering to no one but its elected Parliament and its monarch,” the Brigadier said. “Now, it seems, we can be told what to do by international business companies.”
“Sad, isn’t it?” said Dr Stevens. “Sure you won’t have some sherry? Or there’s some very good Scotch whisky here made from recycled wood pulp.”

The Brigadier politely turned to the young man beside him who had shoulder-length hair, a flowing beard, and wore a kaftan and chunky wooden beads. “Ever fancied life in the army?” the Brigadier asked brightly, as a joke.
“It was quite pleasant,” said the young man, sipping the home-made elderberry wine Nancy had produced for the occasion.
“You were in the Army?” the Brigadier looked astounded. “What did you do?”
“I was a colonel.”

“Panorama Chemicals always tries to be a good neighbor. Our plant in Ethiopia has distributed thousands of tons of grain to the starving. In Persia and Saudi Arabia all local employees have free classes to learn to read and write their own languages.”

The report stated in analytical detail that Bateson’s polymerization method was definitely working. It meant that for every ton of crude oil imported from the Middle East, or mined in the North Sea, Panorama Chemicals would be able to produce 25% more petrol or diesel fuel. The additional profit of the company might run into millions and millions of pounds. However, Dr. Bell was not concerned with profits – that was Dr. Stevens’ affair. What fascinated Dr. Bell was the scientific achievement. The method resulted in tons of waste fluid, and this would have to be deposited somewhere. But Dr. Bell did not regard that as his problem.
Dr. Bell spoke in short agonized gasps. “Murder… save lives… no unauthorized personnel… Thou shalt not kill… exterminate… Jesus saves.. final solution…”
[And, a few pages later]
“God is love,” mumbled Dr. Bell. “Today Europe, tomorrow the world.” […] “Every time I heard the word “culture” I reach for my gun,” Dr. Bell babbled. “The meek shall inherit the Earth.”

“Why are you helping us like this?” asked the Doctor.
“Because,” said Elgin, “I suspect that this Company is somehow doing wrong”.
“I thought you were supposed to be the public relations officer,” said Jo. “You’re meant to say that everything the Company does is right”.
“May we discuss this some other time, Miss Grant?”
[…]
“But you’re the public relations officer,” said Jo, “you should know everything about the Company!”
“Perhaps,” said Elgin, “they pay me such a big salary so that I won’t ask questions.”

“But I understand there are two people trapped down there,” Elgin exclaimed. “You might kill them!”
“In that eventuality,” said Dr Bell, “I suggest that you sit at your desk and write a press release to explain it was an accident. That, remember, is your job here. And don’t forget, it’s a very well paid job you have.”

“Our sherry and whisky,” said Dr. Stevens, “is slow poison”.
The voice of Boss chuckled. “But it will make money for Panorama Chemicals. Sell it but don’t drink it.”
- - -

[Jacob Licklider · Rating 5 out of 5]

The early Target Novelizations right between the Jon Pertwee/Tom Baker eras of the show sit in this great early place where Terrance Dicks hadn’t become known as the Doctor Who novelizations guy. Yes, he wrote the first one Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion, but in the first two years of regular novelizations (there were three initial Hartnell novelizations between 1964 and 1965), he only contributed seven of the fourteen. The others were generally from the original author, except for one, Doctor Who and the Green Death. Malcolm Hulke ended up adapting the script originally from Robert Sloman, after his connection to the television show ended. Hulke had no connection to the original script, outside of the fact that politically it feels like a script he would have written. The Green Death on television is a story all about taking down a chemical plant which is polluting a Welsh community, causing maggots to grow to huge sizes and killing people.

It’s all about the perils of climate change and looking for alternative energy and food sources. When people claim Doctor Who isn’t political, The Green Death is one of those stories which often comes up as it is blatantly political and that’s what makes it work. Hulke’s novelization excels at translating the politics from the screen and onto the page, building up a lot of the horror aspects with the prose not having to deal with the restraints of the special effects. The fly at the end actually makes for a threatening villain and the BOSS and its relationship to Stevens is also more fleshed out than just appearing near the end of the story.

Where the novelization falls flat ever so slightly is in the ending, not the resolution, but the final events where Jo Grant professes her love to Prof. Clifford Jones and leaves. The scene is one that is perfect simply because of the direction and acting from Pertwee and Manning. Hulke tries to get the emotions across on the page, but by not having the Doctor leave the party silently there is something just missing. There is also a lot of truncation when it comes to the events of the book which is one of those little points where the pace is nice and quick, but some of the characterization is off. The villains outside of Stevens are reduced to slightly more thugs, and you don’t get the slow turn of Elgin to being a villain which is kind of a shame.

Overall, Doctor Who and the Green Death does excel from Malcolm Hulke’s always enjoyable prose, but there isn’t a whole lot that actually brings it any extra depth. It was already a very deep story, and the only thing that needed improvement were some of the lackluster puppetry effects in the final two episodes. It also goes slightly too quick, but it’s still an excellent adaptation and a great alternate version of the story. 9/10.

[T.E. Hodden · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable adaption of a good story. In typical Hulke style, some of the characters are given a little more depth through insights to their head and heart at key moment, but in some cases the depth adds little new, and just exaggerates the broad strokes already on display. The pompous CEO is pompous and obsessed with his importance, the villain from more humble origins, who got to a position of influence through dedication and study has contempt for those who didn't escape their lot in life, etc. In other places the Hulke effect works well to make minor characters feel more distinct and fully formed, giving weight to events that might otherwise have felt much smaller scale and less important than the usual BIG story ideas of the show.

Certainly the relationships between key characters, Jo, the Doctor, the Brigadier, and Professor Jones feel warmer and more natural here, even if the text doesn't always allow for the energy and enthusiasm of the performances.

And of course, it goes without saying that some of the special effects are far better in the imagination, unrestricted by practical effects and limited budgets.

What is unusual for a Hulke book is that some of the messages seem muddled and changeable. The self sufficient Professor, who wants to make the world cleaner and improve the lot of all mankind, also, apparently, considers it important that men be real men, and the Welsh know their place digging coal, which is apparently a more noble pursuit than burning oil, yet a few pages later we learn his own farm is built upon a hydro electric generator, and he dreams of clean energy?

It seems too many political ideas: the hardships of mining communities facing mass lay offs, the environmental concerns of the times, fears of pollution and smog, pull characters in too many directions and there are times they contradict each other... which could have been an interesting dynamic to explore, in a longer book, where more factions could be represented, but by necessity this is boiled down to the good and the bad, along clear cut lines.

This is a great Doctor Who story, but there are times when it feels like it could be a great story by any standard, but doesn't quite have the page count or time to breathe.

[Mikes Dw Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the orginal tv story so I was very excited for this one. Especially as I've just finished Malcolm hulkes brilliant "The Doomsday weapon". While this one does make some of the story and threat much more clearer by giving us some little but effective depth. It doesnt match the tv stories quality. Reading this book made me realise just how perfect that team behind the scene of drwho was. With Terrance dicks and Barry letts helping out it was like a perfect team. But take them away and some stories suffer.

My main issue with this book is the treatment of main characters such as Jo's love story and departure. While I think it does a good job setting her and cliffs relationship really well, the half a page goodbye is 1/10 worthy. Its just so quick and dry. In the orginal it's perfect. The people celebrating in background, Jo and cliff planning on there marriage and plans to save the planet. The dr giving her the crystal as a present and then drinking some wine before slipping out to Bessie with a pain on his face. It's perfect. Here, Jo says she's staying and the dr just goes saying I've got to go to London good luck! At times it does feel like its missing so much of that charm that I love about the pertwee era. There's no scene of Mike cheekily mocking the dr for being dressed up as a window cleaner or sgt benton calling the maggots for tea. It's a shame that's gone.

Like others have said the story also had alot of politics in it, the computer taking over the world, man's free will, messing with the environment and wild life, being vegan or vegetarian, the closing of the mines and womens equal rights. Ive always said its possibly drwhos most wokest story, yet I don't see people morning about this story. While the politics are really interesting to read about and we get some good explanation to them, some more than others, there's just too many to really explore them all in detail.

Overall it's a good read and I think most will enjoy it, the story and it's themes are the main focuses here which does really help flesh it out but the characters are often left last which makes it suffer sometimes.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a mixture this book. As a send off for Jo, it is very good, builds up to an emotional farewell, providing a depth of feeling I haven't felt since Ian and Barbara's departure. While I know Jamie was with the Doctor longer than Ian, Barbara or Jo, his send off was bit different, as was also combined with Zoe's departure and the Doctor's regeneration, plus the evolving make up of the Tardis crew that occurred during Jamie's run as such, whereas it was constant for Jo with the Third Doctor / UNIT, and for Ian and Barbara their relationships to Susan and Vicki were very similar (though I think the two characters were quite different, so not an issue on that part). All in all though, quite sad feeling at the end, just like with the Chase.
On the flip side though, the story itself wasn't so flash - did feel quite abridged, especially with the UNIT crew who didn't feature that much. The Doctor and Jo were in good form, and the one off characters were pretty good as well, but the plot felt rushed. Plus it wasn't clear to me whether the 'Green Death' part of the storyline was planned as such by BOSS, or if unintended but something trying to get hidden, while carrying out his other plan. I think would have been good if this was made clearer.
So good departure for Jo, but if wasn't for that, story likely would have been 3 stars.

[Jason Bleckly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a script by Robert Sloman this is number 29 in the Target catalogue. The first cover is by Peter Brookes and the second by Alun Hood. As with the other Targets with interior art the illusarations are by Alan Willow.

I have loved all of Malcom’s previous novelisations. This one was a real disappointment. It’s one f my favourite story’s as it’s got giant maggots and a meglomaniac computer. How more Who can a story get? But Malcolm really seems to be grinding an axe in this book. All of the characters are far more cantankerous, bitter, and snide than in the broadcast version. Perhaps he was still annoyed about the recent coal miners strike when he wrote it. He devotes a bit of time to coal miners strikes, none of which is in the TV version.

Credit where credits due though, he does give a lot of the supplementary characters more detailed motivations. He gives the maggots a point of view. But on the flipside he glosses over some entire scenes, probably to keep the page count down.

I sort of enjoyed it, as its one of my favourite stories, but the bitterness throughout tainted it. This is another one I’d love to se re-written and expanded. This version just isn’t as good as it should be.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

They really decided to juggle a lot of different concepts in this story! We have mysterious deaths in the mine that may be caused by some sort of green substance. There's a new chemical plant in this small Welsh town that arrived shortly before the deaths started. And people are acting strangely after they're made to listen to an unusual pair of headphones. And to top it all off, the Doctor refuses to investigate things because he wants to go on a vacation instead?

Of course, everything ends up being connected somehow and the Doctor eventually comes around to help drive the charge. But this story was actually very much focused on Jo Grant and her own intrepid efforts to help the small town with or without UNIT support.

Come to think of it, this story nicely featured a lot of the supporting cast whether we're talking about the Brigadier or Mike Yates. I liked how things came together in the end and it was a suitable adventure, especially given how things culminated at the end.

[Michel Siskoid Albert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid Malcolm Hulke's adaptation of Doctor Who and The Green Death reads like the TV serial with all the witty bits taken out, and makes you realize - I dare say - how much of Doctor Who was worked out by the script editor, director and (largely, in this era) actors. The charming relationship between the Doctor and Jo feels absent, and her departure is given short shrift. He also has a pacing problem, spending a lot of time on the first couple episodes' worth - expanding the Metebelis III stuff, putting us in the miners' heads, etc. - but has to race to end before blowing up the page count. Hulke never cares for action, so he omits it and has characters mention it in passing, giving the back half especially a certain choppiness. Given that this is one of my favorite stories (for sentimental reasons, perhaps, but I think it's worthy), this preachy substitute is rather disappointing.

[Steve Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third Doctor and Jo Grant come across giant maggots in a welsh coalmine.

It's difficult to know how someone unfamiliar with the old TV series would get on with this series of Target books (based on the original TV stories), and how much my liking of these books is based purely on what I've read, and what is influenced by memory and feelings of warm nostalgia. I enjoyed this a lot. It races along and captures the characters, relationships, and atmosphere of the original series. The only area in which it fails is the sudden end, and the fact that the leaving of one of the regular characters from the series is nowhere near as emotionally effective here as in the original televised version.

This was one of the earlier books in the series to be issued and so has internal illustrations. They're not highly detailed, but they are atmospheric and add greatly to the impact.

[Pete · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doctor Who and the Green Death (1975) by Malcolm Hulke is the novelisation of the fifth and final serial of season ten of Doctor Who. It is the sixty ninth serial overal.

The Doctor and Jo head off to a Welsh mining village where a man is covered with a strange green fungus. Panorama Chemicals is a newly established plant in the area that Professor Jones and others are protesting against.

Things get stranger from there. There is a crazed computer, mind controlled staff and giant maggots and more. Apparently the TV serial was better.

It’s notable for being Jo’s final appearance in Doctor Who.

The book is passable.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent adaption of the Third Doctor story by Malcolm Hulke. His description of the giant maggots were very visceral, enough to make me shudder.

I can see why the TV version of this gave children nightmares!

I also enjoyed the growing relationship between Jo and Cliff Jones. However I felt the announcement of their marriage was better done on screen, it felt a bit limp on the page.

I also really enjoyed the banter and relationships between the Doctor, the Brigadier and the UNIT crew.

[Xander Toner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, just really enjoyable. I haven't actually seen the televised The Green Death, so it was interesting going into this book without prior knowledge of the episode. Hulke is a very streamlined writer, not leaving much description for setting, allowing the story to be the main propelling force for the prose. Still, all the returning characters like the Doctor, Jo, the Brigadier, Benton & Yates are perfectly characterised and very easy to visualise.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Pretty great novelisation of a pretty great story, though I didn't like the cheap characterisation of the violent character as a stupid comic reader. I do like the fleshing out of the miners, the inclusion of feminism and Welsh nationalism into Cliff's politics, and the even more explicit conflation of BOSS's unchecked capitalism with fascism. Oh, and the extended maggot POV, of course.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed this episode, even though it is the series where we say goodbye to Jo, which is sad. The premise is fun, and I like all of the characters, unit is there, so we get lots of the Brigadier, Benton, and Yates. I love that in the novelization, they expanded the Doctor's visit to the blue planet, which was very funny. I do think that Jo and Cliff fall in "love" way too fast, but that tends to be how romance works on DW. Overall, a good book.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed it and some new perspectives, I did hate that the book excised some of my favorite scenes and dialogue. I also didn't like that they changed Global Chemicals to Panorama Chemicals. As much as I like the character of Mark Elgin and I understand James was a replacement character in the TV story, I didn't like that Elgin got James' death scene.

[Dodau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on an TV episode from the 1970's so light on plot and character development. Notable for the last adventure featuring Jo Grant who in the space of three days manages to fall in love and decide to leave a time travelling lifestyle for one in a commune in North Wales.

[Paul Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember watching this on television in the early seventies and being terrified. During lockdown I've been reading some of the doctor who books and i came across this. It was very enjoyable as the doctor tries to figure out the cause of a deadly green slime appearing in a mine.

[Ian Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty much perfect retelling of a classic story. The only fault is that it sometimes feels a little too brisk at recounting some events. The characters are a delight and it is easy to read in a single sitting. A lovely feast for the memory.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story with some great elements of environmentalism, anti-corporatism, and feminism. I needed something lighthearted and fun after the last book I read.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIBLE BOOK
People are dying and turning a bright green.

[Brett Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another of my favourite Doctor Who novelizations. I only knew the 4th Doc when I read this, so it was strange to read about his dandy predecessor.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun novelisation of the Green Death serial, the horror aspect of which benefited a lot from not having to rely on the effects of the time

[Nicky Nunney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fab installment in the series. I loved the fact it was set in Wales, and I loved the relationship between Jo and Cliff.

I can't wait to find out what happens to the Doctor next.