This book polarises Who fans. There are many people who love it and think it's the greatest novel in the entire series. Then there are others who detest it, hate it, and attack it vitriolocally. This is probably due to the unusual narrative and the challenging nature of the book. The reader is invited to reflect upon the question of what is, and isn't real. Two different views of the Doctor are presented, and which one is fictional and which one is factual is never made fully clear. For some this is confusing, for others it's an intriguing philosophical point that can never be fully resolved. Iris Wildthyme makes a reappearance and, as usual for the gadfly Time Lady adventuress, she wrecks havoc. The Doctor, uncharacteristically is left impotent and floundering and it's interesting to see the normally in-control Time Lord put in this position. The novel utilises Magr's technique of "magical realism", that is, his knack of placing extraordinary events in ordinary settings. The scenes involving the ladies shopping trip are hilarious and a Star Trek parody works well. All in all, read this book. If you hate it, fair enough. But if you love it, then cherish it and reread it. With every reread, the reader gets more out of it. A wonderful book.
Title: The Blue Angel |
1/8/05
