Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale (Revised)

When The Writer's Tale was published in autumn 2008, it was immediately embraced as a classic. For this extensively revised and updated paperback edition, Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook continue their candid and in-depth correspondence to take in work on the last of Russell's 2009 specials - and the end of David Tennant's era as The Doctor - while also looking back to the achievements of the first three seasons. With over 300 pages of all-new material, including new photos and original artwork, The Writer's Tale is a fitting tribute to Russell T Davies' phenomenal achievement in bringing Doctor Who back for a new generation of fans. Review of original edition from www.dwscifi.com: "The making of series four of Doctor Who as told via emails, text messages and scripts… Essentially a year-long interview with the head writer and showrunner of Doctor Who, The Writer’s Tale is a brutally honest examination of the script to screen process, including moments of triumph (ratings successes are relished), moments of despair (there are painfully truthful passages where Davies is alone and doing all he can to avoid writing) and comedy (did anyone find Davies’s missing trousers?). All of these elements go toward painting a very human story, far from being an extended PR puff piece. At times you actively want to shake Davies. The lusting over Voyage of the Damned guest star Russell Tovey is all very well (though try to imagine Barry Letts salivating quite so publically over Nina Thomas), but, as he admits, there’s a Torchwood script waiting to be written, not to mention episodes of Doctor Who itself… Davies’s hatred of a press launch he attends seems a little ill-advised. The press support of Doctor Who has been amazing, with good reviews and strong interest four years on. It seems sad that he considers a press launch such a chore, especially given the ‘Hooray! Everything is great!’ mantra that has made Davies such a high profile and likeable figure over the last few years. It’s interesting to see Benjamin Cook’s influence on the show as well. So, it seems he was behind the somewhat bleak ending to series four, advising that the original lead-in to the Christmas special spoiled the emotionally-charged climax of Journey’s End. The Writer’s Tale is a fascinating book that will serve as a useful companion to the Complete Series Four DVD, and is essential reading for anyone with more than a passing interest in the show. Jonathan Wilkins VERDICT: 9/10 Insightful, witty, infuriating and impossible to put down."