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Doctor Who: New Series Adventures #25
Doctor Who: Ghosts of India
India in 1947 is a country in the grip of chaos - a country torn apart by internal strife. When the Doctor and Donna arrive in Calcutta, they are instantly swept up in violent events. Barely escaping with their lives, they discover that the city is rife with tales of 'half-made men', who roam the streets at night and steal people away. These creatures, it is said, are as white as salt and have only shadows where their eyes should be.With help from India's great spiritual leader, Mohandas 'Mahatma' Gandhi, the Doctor and Donna set out to investigate these rumours.What is the real truth behind the 'half-made men'? Why is Gandhi's role in history under threat? And has an ancient, all-powerful god of destruction really come back to wreak his vengeance upon the Earth?Featuring the Tenth Doctor and Donna as played by David Tennant and Catherine Tate in the hit Doctor Who series from BBC Television.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2008
26 people are currently reading
1917 people want to read
About the author
Mark Morris
133 books239 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.
His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.
His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Mark Morris became a full-time writer in 1988 on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme, and a year later saw the release of his first novel, Toady. He has since published a further sixteen novels, among which are Stitch, The Immaculate, The Secret of Anatomy, Fiddleback, The Deluge and four books in the popular Doctor Who range.
His short stories, novellas, articles and reviews have appeared in a wide variety of anthologies and magazines, and he is editor of the highly-acclaimed Cinema Macabre, a book of fifty horror movie essays by genre luminaries, for which he won the 2007 British Fantasy Award.
His most recently published or forthcoming work includes a novella entitled It Sustains for Earthling Publications, a Torchwood novel entitled Bay of the Dead, several Doctor Who audios for Big Finish Productions, a follow-up volume to Cinema Macabre entitled Cinema Futura and a new short story collection, Long Shadows, Nightmare Light.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
November 28, 2018
Arriving in Calcutta in 1947 during the last few days of British India, The Doctor and Donna are soon thrust into a chaotic situation as country is currently being torn apart by internal strife.
Giving a snapshot of an important part of India’s history, this adventure really brings the time period to life. The descriptions are so vivid.
I really liked the young character Adelaide who asks The Doctor questions, it’s a great way to teach younger readers about the era and Gandhi significance to history.
Giving a snapshot of an important part of India’s history, this adventure really brings the time period to life. The descriptions are so vivid.
I really liked the young character Adelaide who asks The Doctor questions, it’s a great way to teach younger readers about the era and Gandhi significance to history.
December 21, 2008
Well, let's start with the good stuff: This book is a definite page turner. Author Mark Morris writes a good, energetic portrayal of the Tenth Doctor, and keeps the plot moving along at a good clip. The monsters are creepy, and the plot isn't quite as simple as it first seems, leading to some nice twists.
Still, I found this book ultimately disappointing. I was tempted to rate it a bit lower than I did, but to be fair, it's not any worse than most of the other BBC 10th Doctor novels, most of which I've given 3 stars to. It's just not any better, and I had higher expectations.
First, I don't think that the book makes all that effective use of its Indian setting. There are elephants, temples, and some inter-caste tension between characters, but these all feel like window dressing on a plot that could have taken place equally well on an alien planet or in London. Except for the involvement of Gandhi.
Which brings me to the second thing that makes me a bit uncomfortable about this book - the use of Gandhi as, essentially, the Doctor's temporary sidekick for the story. The character is portrayed respectfully, and, as far as I can tell from my limited knowledge of Gandhi's biography, accurately. And it is kind of cool to see a character who can be so totally unfazed by aliens. Or anything else. But the way various characters in the book keep saying how much alike the Doctor and Gandhi are gets on my nerves. Sure, they share some traits - curiosity, open-mindedness, a sense of humor, and a peculiar charisma. But honestly, it's the way in which these two characters are different that's interesting. This book could have made some really interesting contrasts: Gandhi's fatalism versus the Doctor's refusal to accept things as they are; Gandhi's absolute commitment to non-violence versus the Doctor's willingness to resort to force when necessary; Gandhi's ability to inspire collective action versus the Doctor's individualism.
Heady stuff for a TV tie-in novel aimed at 12-year-olds, I know. But Doctor Who can do that kind of stuff, when it bothers to try.
Still, I found this book ultimately disappointing. I was tempted to rate it a bit lower than I did, but to be fair, it's not any worse than most of the other BBC 10th Doctor novels, most of which I've given 3 stars to. It's just not any better, and I had higher expectations.
First, I don't think that the book makes all that effective use of its Indian setting. There are elephants, temples, and some inter-caste tension between characters, but these all feel like window dressing on a plot that could have taken place equally well on an alien planet or in London. Except for the involvement of Gandhi.
Which brings me to the second thing that makes me a bit uncomfortable about this book - the use of Gandhi as, essentially, the Doctor's temporary sidekick for the story. The character is portrayed respectfully, and, as far as I can tell from my limited knowledge of Gandhi's biography, accurately. And it is kind of cool to see a character who can be so totally unfazed by aliens. Or anything else. But the way various characters in the book keep saying how much alike the Doctor and Gandhi are gets on my nerves. Sure, they share some traits - curiosity, open-mindedness, a sense of humor, and a peculiar charisma. But honestly, it's the way in which these two characters are different that's interesting. This book could have made some really interesting contrasts: Gandhi's fatalism versus the Doctor's refusal to accept things as they are; Gandhi's absolute commitment to non-violence versus the Doctor's willingness to resort to force when necessary; Gandhi's ability to inspire collective action versus the Doctor's individualism.
Heady stuff for a TV tie-in novel aimed at 12-year-olds, I know. But Doctor Who can do that kind of stuff, when it bothers to try.
April 12, 2010
It’s been a while since I’ve read any Doctor Who novels, but with the arrival of Series 5 and a new Doctor later this week on BBC America, I thought the time was right to delve into some Who-related fiction. Ghosts of India is the first novel I’ve read featuring the Doctor (as portrayed by the inimitable David Tennant) and the irrepressible, no-nonsense Donna (Catherine Tate). The Doctor inadvertently brings Donna to India in 1947, a dangerous time for sight-seeing. With Britain about to withdraw, the country is a veritable powder keg, ready to explode as rival factions jockey for power and position. And of course, the country’s dense population and tense political climate is the perfect cover for an alien intent on human harvesting. I absolutely love the Doctor Who episodes that take place in some historical time period. The only element that makes those episodes better than the norm is when the Doctor gets to interact with actual historical figures. This book succeeds on all counts. The Doctor’s scenes with Gandhi are priceless, especially since it’s so rare to have the Doctor really and truly bowled over by a member of the human race. Speaking of the Doctor, Morris absolutely nails Tennant’s mannerisms and speech patterns. The Doctor’s manic energy and passion are really well captured on the page, as is his relationship with Donna. The best of friends, the Doctor and Donna have a truly unique, special relationship and I was overjoyed to see that Morris captures their friendship, right down to their constant good-natured snarking and sarcasm. Ghosts of India would make an excellent episode of the television show. And in hindsight, having viewed the spectacular finale of series 4 several times, as well as the journey the Doctor’s character takes following those “game changing” events, Morris’ portrayal of the Doctor/Donna relationship and the Doctor’s closing words are especially poignant. This novel fits well within the mythology of the Doctor Who universe, and is definitely one of my favorite novel portrayals of David Tennant’s Doctor. Recommended.
November 7, 2022
Ghosts of India (Doctor Who: New Series Adventures #25) by Mark Morris is another good Doctor Who tie-in novel. The Tenth Doctor and Donna are one of my favorite combinations of the series so it was great to see them in action here. By the way, I know the American public school system isn't so good, but Donna doesn't even know about Gandhi?
June 27, 2015
spacealien human trafficing.
weird
weird
March 23, 2025
2020 52 Book Challenge - 49) About A World Leader
This was a very good Doctor Who tie in novel, and honestly, who wouldn't love the Doctor meeting Gandhi? It really brought the time period to life, and it was really interesting.
This was a very good Doctor Who tie in novel, and honestly, who wouldn't love the Doctor meeting Gandhi? It really brought the time period to life, and it was really interesting.
January 30, 2019
This is one of the better Doctor Who audiobooks I’ve listened to recently. I ended up listening to it straight through. The writer captured the Doctor and Donna well and made it interesting, exciting and humorous in places too.
April 30, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. India just after the second world war is masterfully depicted, with the hope, mystery and exuberance nicely balanced against the ominous clouds of coming strife with partition. The adventure has a good blend of villains, from the ghastly white 'half-dead men' to crazed Army Majors, crocodiles and cobras. The meeting of Gandhi with the Doctor is wonderful, and it's left to Donna to draw parallels - and the Doctor to highlight the one key difference between them. A fun ride, with a pointed note of sadness at the end.
July 31, 2016
I loved Donna here, her voice was perfect. But the Doctor's holier than thou attitude irked me like whoa. And the fact that the author presented Gandhi as a perfect specimen without any flaws, a creature of pure goodness, considering what's known of, for example, how he treated his wife, made me downright angry.
April 13, 2010
Mark Morris is a great writer. Characters are captured perfectly and its a very fluidly written story.
April 23, 2020
Traveling with his newest companion, the Doctor heads off to 1937 Calcutta where he plans to treat Donna to a curry that she can "murder"! Unfortunately, as is its wont, the TARDIS has a mind of her own and drops the two ten years later than planned. It is the year of the great transition as the British Empire is pulling up stakes and returning home. Some say it was due to the war draining the empire of so much of its money and resources. Others that the British were withdrawing fearing the looming civil war between the Muslims and the Hindus. Regardless of the reason, soon India would be a nation governed by its own people once more with worries and concerns of their own. It was this historic moment in time that the Doctor and Donna found themselves. But...it wasn't the issues related to the QUIT INDIA movement that caught the Doctor's attention. It is a strange disease that first drives previously gentle animals to attack without cause. Growths of blackish lumps growing from their bodies are the first sign of the disease, and, when those lumps start appearing on the members of the British occupying forces, the Doctor soon realizes that something even more terrible may be afoot.
Add to that strange eyeless white skinned humans appearing... dozens, and soon hundreds, of people suddenly disappearing... and strange visions of what can only be gods appearing in the temple...Oh...and Mohandas Gandhi himself... then you have the latest adventure in the decades spanning journeys of the Doctor.
Author Mark Morris really has written this as a present to Who fans every where as he captures the personalities of both the Doctor and Donna perfectly and directs them through an adventure that any long time reader or show watcher will feel could be pulled directly off the screen. All the humor, quirky traits (the Doctor), and snarkiness (Donna!!!) that one associates with this iteration of the Timelord. Morris has turned his fertile mind to writing many other Who books as well as journeys with Torchwood and is the author of over 25 books including the outstanding OBSIDIAN HEART trilogy.
Another fun and exciting adventure with the 10th Doctor!!!
Add to that strange eyeless white skinned humans appearing... dozens, and soon hundreds, of people suddenly disappearing... and strange visions of what can only be gods appearing in the temple...Oh...and Mohandas Gandhi himself... then you have the latest adventure in the decades spanning journeys of the Doctor.
Author Mark Morris really has written this as a present to Who fans every where as he captures the personalities of both the Doctor and Donna perfectly and directs them through an adventure that any long time reader or show watcher will feel could be pulled directly off the screen. All the humor, quirky traits (the Doctor), and snarkiness (Donna!!!) that one associates with this iteration of the Timelord. Morris has turned his fertile mind to writing many other Who books as well as journeys with Torchwood and is the author of over 25 books including the outstanding OBSIDIAN HEART trilogy.
Another fun and exciting adventure with the 10th Doctor!!!
September 5, 2014
Loved the setting here, and Morris really captured the characters of Donna and the Doctor - as well as making me care about all of his original characters, which is rare and difficult to do. This could easily have been an episode of the show.
Unfortunately, reading this did sadden me a little, as it reminded me of a time when Doctor Who was just so much better than it is now. In Ten's era the writers weren't afraid to explore more complex themes, and to illustrate the nasty side of human nature. Nowadays this only comes up in a cartoonish, villain-of-the-week kind of way. You just wouldn't see an episode of Doctor Who in Moffat's era which explores themes like race and imperialism, or even acknowledges them in any serious way. The historical figures the Doctor meets are also just novelties now. I miss this era, when the people the Doctor met actually meant something to him, or added to his character development in some way. (Or vice-versa, of course.) Gandhi - the ultimate pacifist - is a perfect example of this. You can understand why the Doctor WOULD admire him. Why meeting this human man would excite even a Time Lord. I can't understand why Moffat's Doctor, Eleven, would be so excited to meet Richard Nixon, and why they wouldn't butt heads in any meaningful way. It's sad.
Unfortunately, reading this did sadden me a little, as it reminded me of a time when Doctor Who was just so much better than it is now. In Ten's era the writers weren't afraid to explore more complex themes, and to illustrate the nasty side of human nature. Nowadays this only comes up in a cartoonish, villain-of-the-week kind of way. You just wouldn't see an episode of Doctor Who in Moffat's era which explores themes like race and imperialism, or even acknowledges them in any serious way. The historical figures the Doctor meets are also just novelties now. I miss this era, when the people the Doctor met actually meant something to him, or added to his character development in some way. (Or vice-versa, of course.) Gandhi - the ultimate pacifist - is a perfect example of this. You can understand why the Doctor WOULD admire him. Why meeting this human man would excite even a Time Lord. I can't understand why Moffat's Doctor, Eleven, would be so excited to meet Richard Nixon, and why they wouldn't butt heads in any meaningful way. It's sad.
July 28, 2015
It’s The Tenth Doctor at his most enthusiastic and energetic. It’s Donna Noble at her most cheerfully shouty. It’s a story of the last days of Colonial India, but one with added aliens, zombies and mutated scorpions. And – as the most insane, over the top detail of it all – a book where The Doctor’s companion for a large part of its length is the actual Mahatma Gandhi.
Most of the time, because after all it is a product of Western culture, ‘Doctor Who’ engages with other parts of Western culture. Here though it has a go at Eastern culture, and it does okay at it – respectful in a kind of Sunday night drama type way. Without a doubt there’s a certain ‘Jewel in the Crown’ (or, a more modern reference, ‘Indian Summer’) quality to the portrayal of the Indians themselves, and their relationship with the – alternatively over-bearing, snobbish or compassionately kind – British. But that’s not a problem as this is ancillary fiction to a TV show, and so if it feels like an adaptation of a different kind of TV show that’s fine, as if Doctor Who actually did an India set story on TV, this is almost certainly how it would be.
True, the prose is often quite prosaic, but this is a quick, fun read which tries everything it can to be just gleefully bright and entertaining.
Most of the time, because after all it is a product of Western culture, ‘Doctor Who’ engages with other parts of Western culture. Here though it has a go at Eastern culture, and it does okay at it – respectful in a kind of Sunday night drama type way. Without a doubt there’s a certain ‘Jewel in the Crown’ (or, a more modern reference, ‘Indian Summer’) quality to the portrayal of the Indians themselves, and their relationship with the – alternatively over-bearing, snobbish or compassionately kind – British. But that’s not a problem as this is ancillary fiction to a TV show, and so if it feels like an adaptation of a different kind of TV show that’s fine, as if Doctor Who actually did an India set story on TV, this is almost certainly how it would be.
True, the prose is often quite prosaic, but this is a quick, fun read which tries everything it can to be just gleefully bright and entertaining.
July 17, 2010
As a huge Dr. Who fan, I initially thought that this book would be a bit too simple for my tastes. I was wrong!!! This was just as exciting as watching an episode of the new series of "Dr. Who" on t.v.! Morris really captured the personality of the 10th Doctor in this book.
The Doctor and his companion, Donna, are hungry for curry. When they land the Tardis they find themselves in Calcutta - but in 1947. They hear stories about creatures that are half-human that steal people at night. Some of the people feel that this is Shiva the destroyer. They feel that he has come back for vengeance! Of course, the Doctor has to investigate this! They meet up with Monhandas Gandhi, who aides the investigation.
The creatures are creepy in this story. And the story is quite scary at times. It is action-packed and once you begin this book - it is hard to put down!
The Doctor and his companion, Donna, are hungry for curry. When they land the Tardis they find themselves in Calcutta - but in 1947. They hear stories about creatures that are half-human that steal people at night. Some of the people feel that this is Shiva the destroyer. They feel that he has come back for vengeance! Of course, the Doctor has to investigate this! They meet up with Monhandas Gandhi, who aides the investigation.
The creatures are creepy in this story. And the story is quite scary at times. It is action-packed and once you begin this book - it is hard to put down!
Read
December 23, 2009"http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1291348.html#cutid3[return][return]Another pretty decent story featuring Ten and Donna, this time in India on the eve of independence, encountering Gandhi and competing aliens trying to take over and use the locals for their own purposes. I'm not totally familiar with Indian history of the period but this didn't seem to me to have any obvious howlers. Two minor irritations: Morris continually refers to the sonic screwdriver as the 'sonic', and David Troughton reading it is not totally sure of Ten's accent. But it's generally good."
January 20, 2012
The Doctor asks Donna where she’d like to go next and she says she “could murder a curry. I’m starving.” (14) And The Doctor (Tenth, of course, David Tennant’s Doctor) takes her to Calcutta in 1947, when not only are Indians trying to get rid of the British, but there are aliens, who sound a lot like the Borg. “It was her own fault really, Donna thought. She supposed she should have known better. Wherever she went with the Doctor she usually ended up running away from something. He was the sort of man who could find danger in a boxful of kittens.”(29) Oh, and a delightful Gandhi’s in this book too, to make it nearly perfect.
December 22, 2009
It was written a bit teenie, but was very enjoyable none the less. India, a great setting and the appearance of Mohandas Gandhi as a character in the book was a bonus. Lots of funny little lines for the Doctor and Donna.
Much to David Tennant's acting credit that the Doctor comes alive on the pages of the book, with me being able to hear his voice delivering lines, visualising his mannerisms and facial expressions.
Much to David Tennant's acting credit that the Doctor comes alive on the pages of the book, with me being able to hear his voice delivering lines, visualising his mannerisms and facial expressions.
June 30, 2018
The setting- India 1947 was interesting and well-developed for a Who novel. However, I was irked at the author's portrayal of Gandhi, while he did a lot of good for India, he was also a racist. One of the plot points in this novel was that Gandhi's soul was pure and had no hatred in it- when it clearly did, no one is perfect.
Apart from that, a good portrayal of Donna and The Doctor and at only around 200 pages, it's fine.
Apart from that, a good portrayal of Donna and The Doctor and at only around 200 pages, it's fine.
December 30, 2021
what a waste. a generic premise put into motion by a generic villain with cookie cutter side characters, a bad understanding of the main characters, and the worst use of a historical character I've ever seen. any commentary that could be used with post-empire India or gandhi is wasted in favour of *gandhi says wise thing* every character; wow gandhi you're so amazing and nice and wow isn't it sad you died. this is how NOT to do a historical setting in doctor who
January 1, 2009
Well done, and Donna was written perfectly - strong-willed but still learning. The treatment of Gandhi and her appreciation of him, and his fascination with the Doctor and things alien were great fun as well. And of course he figures into the solution. The novels are nice because they can go places unrestricted by a television show budget.
January 21, 2009
Space aliens & Mahatma Ghandi! 'Nuff said.
May 21, 2009
Fun light reading.
March 21, 2016
loved it, gandi was in it and was quite funny.
April 16, 2015
Review to follow
July 6, 2022
This one was not as good as other audio adventures I've read/heard. It just felt forced. Like they wanted to do a story with Ghandi in it, and the doctor constantly sucking up to him was odd too.
May 22, 2022
I love me a celebrity historical and this is a good 'un. I don't consider it a spoiler as such seen as it is on the blurb, but warning anyway. I'll be mentioning said person later in this review.
The Tenth Doctor and Donna, one of the greatest pairings of Doctor and companion ever, land in Calcutta just before the split of India into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. This split was a key plot point in the 2018 series 11 episode 'Demons of the Punjab' and it was nice to delve back into the ramifications of this key event in world history, an area I knew very little of. The first few chapters deal with the chaos and fracturing of the Indian populace as factions are formed, gangs escaped from, people are herded like cattle by British forces, and shock at the poverty of those who are caught in between. Enter Mohandas Gandhi, our previously mentioned celebrity. Coming from an age where Gandhi is long gone, his depiction here intrigued me and I will definitely be researching more about him. Here you see the people of India's love for him with crowds following wherever he goes, his serenity, and cheeky sense of humour. It is easy to see from author Mark Morris' writing why Gandhi was so well-loved. He sings as a character and is someone who you would clearly enjoy spending time with in real life.
The title is a little misleading, but I won't get into that here - spoilers! The images conjured by Morris are clear and the ghosts, in particular, are rich and masterfully described. These would make great tv monsters: pure white skin; lidless, blank eyes; bald heads; and quiet purposefulness. They manage to be both beautiful and menacing.
The organ grinder as well is unusual as is the spaceship, with it's petal walls and eiree sense of being partly living.
I enjoyed this book. I like the historical aspect of it and enjoyed the setting immensely. Would I read again? Maybe, maybe not. I'd certainly recommend it as a good romp though and an enjoyable diversion.
The Tenth Doctor and Donna, one of the greatest pairings of Doctor and companion ever, land in Calcutta just before the split of India into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. This split was a key plot point in the 2018 series 11 episode 'Demons of the Punjab' and it was nice to delve back into the ramifications of this key event in world history, an area I knew very little of. The first few chapters deal with the chaos and fracturing of the Indian populace as factions are formed, gangs escaped from, people are herded like cattle by British forces, and shock at the poverty of those who are caught in between. Enter Mohandas Gandhi, our previously mentioned celebrity. Coming from an age where Gandhi is long gone, his depiction here intrigued me and I will definitely be researching more about him. Here you see the people of India's love for him with crowds following wherever he goes, his serenity, and cheeky sense of humour. It is easy to see from author Mark Morris' writing why Gandhi was so well-loved. He sings as a character and is someone who you would clearly enjoy spending time with in real life.
The title is a little misleading, but I won't get into that here - spoilers! The images conjured by Morris are clear and the ghosts, in particular, are rich and masterfully described. These would make great tv monsters: pure white skin; lidless, blank eyes; bald heads; and quiet purposefulness. They manage to be both beautiful and menacing.
The organ grinder as well is unusual as is the spaceship, with it's petal walls and eiree sense of being partly living.
I enjoyed this book. I like the historical aspect of it and enjoyed the setting immensely. Would I read again? Maybe, maybe not. I'd certainly recommend it as a good romp though and an enjoyable diversion.
April 3, 2020
Definitely a very Doctor Who story over all which is what I wanted. If you're not familiar with the franchise it might not be for you, but if you are it is definitely worth giving it a shot.
Morris does succeed with his language choices of bringing readers into a colonial India Calcutta with strange Whovian things going on. Most of the main characters aside from the Doctor and Donna are of a British family with various degrees of respect for the Indian people and culture they are living beside, which comes across through family tensions. It carries the story and sub plots some but nothing mind boggling. The book does also feature Mahatma Gandhi as a character, which is well.. meh.
Not that there is really a way to portray a real life person perfectly, but he came across more as the expected perfect caricature of Gandhi than he did as an actual person.
Still, aliens, weird un-explainable technology gone wrong, brief mentions of memories from the TV episodes, a new place and time on earth that hasn't been explored too often. -I can definitely see this as a missing episode.
Morris does succeed with his language choices of bringing readers into a colonial India Calcutta with strange Whovian things going on. Most of the main characters aside from the Doctor and Donna are of a British family with various degrees of respect for the Indian people and culture they are living beside, which comes across through family tensions. It carries the story and sub plots some but nothing mind boggling. The book does also feature Mahatma Gandhi as a character, which is well.. meh.
Not that there is really a way to portray a real life person perfectly, but he came across more as the expected perfect caricature of Gandhi than he did as an actual person.
Still, aliens, weird un-explainable technology gone wrong, brief mentions of memories from the TV episodes, a new place and time on earth that hasn't been explored too often. -I can definitely see this as a missing episode.
November 16, 2025
The biggest problem with this book is the portrayal of Mohondas "Mahatma" Ghandi.
I don't want to argue that Ghandi wasn't a noble man dedicated to a righteous cause and pursuing it in an admirable manner. But it is important to remember that he was a person and he held some pretty awful beliefs (including racism and misogyny) and this book is simply not interested in treating him as such.
For me the tipping point that turned this from an irritation about the book into a straight up condemnation of it is when Ghandi . This whitewashing of Ghandi goes from being an irritating aspect of the book into a plot point that the climax of it hinges around, and it doesn't even really make sense within the established context of the work.
A real shame. I felt Donna was well written and that the plot took some unexpected and quite interesting turns. This decision really just shoots the entire thing in the foot.
I don't want to argue that Ghandi wasn't a noble man dedicated to a righteous cause and pursuing it in an admirable manner. But it is important to remember that he was a person and he held some pretty awful beliefs (including racism and misogyny) and this book is simply not interested in treating him as such.
For me the tipping point that turned this from an irritation about the book into a straight up condemnation of it is when Ghandi . This whitewashing of Ghandi goes from being an irritating aspect of the book into a plot point that the climax of it hinges around, and it doesn't even really make sense within the established context of the work.
A real shame. I felt Donna was well written and that the plot took some unexpected and quite interesting turns. This decision really just shoots the entire thing in the foot.
July 8, 2019
Now I see how the 13th doctor ended up dealing with "Demons of the Punjab"
Many people dont knownthat Pakistan was artificially created out of the top eeastern & western corners of India in 1947...
...and no one raised a fuss.
(Meanwhile, when Israel was created as a Jewish state in 1948, just a year after Pakistan was created,, &bot was open to everyone, with religious freedom, everyone made a fuss & they're still at it...but I digress, & I do a spectacular job of it ill, if I do say so nyself)
Pakistan was created as a Muslim state. The east & west halves were separated by 1000 miles & a lot of prejudice against the Bengal population meant East Pakistan was treated in a way they perceived as second class citizens (in 1071, East Pakistan declared its independence & became Bangladrsh, while West Pakistan became simply Pakistan).
The original intent seems to have been to give people in Eastern India a place to move that didn't involve extensive travel.
Sonce there were roving bands of troublemakers from the Hindu & Muslim religions, both who were always harrying, raiding,harassing, wounding, raping, killing those who refused to convert. Although Britian intended for Muslims to have their own country, there was never o be any pressure to force Hindus out of Pakistan or Muslims out of India...but the lawless religious zealots were forcing people's hands anyway. Others were excited at the idea of being in a new country that had nothing but people of their faith in it. So there was mass migration. Millions died by some accounts, trampled by mobsurt by zealot attacks of the "other" religion. riding on overcrowded trains & buses, roads with wall to wall people, people trying to walk when they weren't able, the od over crowded auto that might break down & block traffic, people not planning ahead for a long t nenternthe area they wished to reach, perished from hunger.
Into this mess come the Doctor & Donna. There have been odd sightings of a god of destructions. Salt-white people with hollow eyes attacking others. Crime. A field hospital manned n exhausted dotpr & nurse, plus a boy who helps with errands & messages. Refugees trying to stay safe while waiting for a loved one to recoverr.
The Doctor is in, along with his friend Donna. The solution is as unique as the Doctor & Donna are.
Many people dont knownthat Pakistan was artificially created out of the top eeastern & western corners of India in 1947...
...and no one raised a fuss.
(Meanwhile, when Israel was created as a Jewish state in 1948, just a year after Pakistan was created,, &bot was open to everyone, with religious freedom, everyone made a fuss & they're still at it...but I digress, & I do a spectacular job of it ill, if I do say so nyself)
Pakistan was created as a Muslim state. The east & west halves were separated by 1000 miles & a lot of prejudice against the Bengal population meant East Pakistan was treated in a way they perceived as second class citizens (in 1071, East Pakistan declared its independence & became Bangladrsh, while West Pakistan became simply Pakistan).
The original intent seems to have been to give people in Eastern India a place to move that didn't involve extensive travel.
Sonce there were roving bands of troublemakers from the Hindu & Muslim religions, both who were always harrying, raiding,harassing, wounding, raping, killing those who refused to convert. Although Britian intended for Muslims to have their own country, there was never o be any pressure to force Hindus out of Pakistan or Muslims out of India...but the lawless religious zealots were forcing people's hands anyway. Others were excited at the idea of being in a new country that had nothing but people of their faith in it. So there was mass migration. Millions died by some accounts, trampled by mobsurt by zealot attacks of the "other" religion. riding on overcrowded trains & buses, roads with wall to wall people, people trying to walk when they weren't able, the od over crowded auto that might break down & block traffic, people not planning ahead for a long t nenternthe area they wished to reach, perished from hunger.
Into this mess come the Doctor & Donna. There have been odd sightings of a god of destructions. Salt-white people with hollow eyes attacking others. Crime. A field hospital manned n exhausted dotpr & nurse, plus a boy who helps with errands & messages. Refugees trying to stay safe while waiting for a loved one to recoverr.
The Doctor is in, along with his friend Donna. The solution is as unique as the Doctor & Donna are.
August 17, 2019
The Doctor and Donna arrive in India in 1947 with tensions high and strange goings on that are the lives of forgotten people in an Indian village and they set out to put things right despite the indifference of soon to be departed British officials.
The setting plays well with the 10th Doctor as he is rightly angered by the suffering. The meeting with Gandhi goes well enough. However, I think most of the characters are written pretty broadly with one exception. I also felt the characterization of Donna was a bit off. Throughout most of the story, it felt like her characterization was far more in line with Runaway Bride than Series 4. In addition, at the end, she compares the Doctor to Gandhi, something I can't imagine Donna actually doing.
Overall, this has more good moments than bad. It's an okay, if flawed book.
The setting plays well with the 10th Doctor as he is rightly angered by the suffering. The meeting with Gandhi goes well enough. However, I think most of the characters are written pretty broadly with one exception. I also felt the characterization of Donna was a bit off. Throughout most of the story, it felt like her characterization was far more in line with Runaway Bride than Series 4. In addition, at the end, she compares the Doctor to Gandhi, something I can't imagine Donna actually doing.
Overall, this has more good moments than bad. It's an okay, if flawed book.
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