ENLIGHTENMENT

[Tony]

Here we are discussing Barbara Clegg's novelization of ENLIGHTENMENT! If you want to hear your review of or comments on this book read on the air, or you have a specific question about the book, please post it here by no later than 11pm CST on Wednesday, July 5!

[Dave]

This was, in my opinion, the best of the Turlough/Black Guardian trilogy. Some of the special effects are a bit ropey, such as the sailing ships in space, and are much better represented on the page (though the CGI special edition ships are better again).
The thing that struck me most about this book, along with the preceding two, is how natural Turlough's journey towards repentance is. I find the onscreen journey less convincing, because we can't hear Turlough's doubts.
3.5 stars (but I've rounded up to 4 as Goodreads doesn't do fractions.)

[Van]

Enlightenment is one of my favorites from the 5th Doctor's era. The repeated Edwardian theme works well for this Doctor, of course. I think Clegg's retelling of her own script in novel form didn't miss a beat. She keeps the pace fairly even throughout and kicks it up where she needs to. The cliffhangers work well. Her characterizations remain true and consistent.

I thought Turlough's dilemma and slow realization that he actually likes the Doctor and can't bring himself to kill him is portrayed well in the novelization. To me, First Mate Mariner doesn't come off as quite as creepy in the book but Captain Wrack is just as much the larger-than-life character in the book as she is on screen.

Doctor Who - Enlightenment is a good novelization of a good story. Highly recommend. 4 out of 5 stars.