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This book, was originally written for Sylvester McCoy's 7th Doctor in 1995 and was adapted for the television for David Tennant's 10th Doctor as the two parter Human Nature/Family of Blood. The Doctor is hiding out on Earth in the years before the First World War. He's human, changed by a device (a pod) teaching at a boys' school, and going under the name of John Smith. Bernice (Benny) Summerfield is his companion, living separately. She knows who he is, but he has no idea. The Doctor is sweet on fellow teacher, Joan Redfearn. Benny and her elderly landlord end up fighting the aliens who are searching for the pod which can change John Smith back into the Doctor. It's an excellent story, nicely narrated.by Lisa Bowerman. It's a BBC Audio production, somewhat spoiled by grating incidental music which doesn't enhance the production.This book, was originally written for Sylvester McCoy's 7th Doctor in 1995 and was adapted for the television for David Tennant's 10th Doctor as the two parter Human Nature/Family of Blood. The Doctor is hiding out on Earth in the years before the First World War. He's human, changed by a device (a pod) teaching at a boys' school, and going under the name of John Smith. Bernice (Benny) Summerfield is his companion, living separately. She knows who he is, but he has no idea. The Doctor is sweet on fellow teacher, Joan Redfearn. Benny and her elderly landlord end up fighting the aliens who are searching for the pod which can change John Smith back into the Doctor. It's an excellent story, nicely narrated.by Lisa Bowerman. It's a BBC Audio production, somewhat spoiled by grating incidental music which doesn't enhance the production.
The first of Paul Cornell’s Lychford novellas, re-read in audio format. When a supermarket chain wants to disrupt the small town of Lychford residents are split in their like and dislike for the plan. Elderly witch, Judith, knows, however that the new build will break down the walls between worlds and let in malevolent beings from the faery world. Used to going it alone, she knows she needs allies. The new vicar, herself on the verge of losing her faith, and the airy-fairy owner of the magic shop seem unlikely heroines at forst, but Judith has chosen wisely. The Lychford novellas are now all available in one collected volume.
This is the last of Paul Cornell's Lychford novellas and between them they form one continuous story. In other words, don't start here, but do seek out the whole lot and enjoy.
With Judith gone, it's up to Autumn (magic shop owner) and Lizzie (vicar) to save the sleepy Cotswold town of Lychford from an incursion of enemy magic which will not only destroy the town, but the universe as well. Right then... better not muck it up, ladies. The enemy intends to destroy all borders between worlds to the detrement of the fae and the humans. Judith might be gone, but she's certainly not forgotten, and she's left help. There's a new viewpoint character, Zoya, a Ukrainian immigrant single mum who has mysteriously been unaffected by the magical rain which made the townsfolk able to sense magic (which makes her wonder "why everyone here is now bugfuck crazy in the head"). Expect exploding fairies, the return of a previous antagonist, a message from beyond the grave, some gruesome deaths, and three brave women trying to save the universe. It's a satisfying end to the Lychford cycle.
This is the fourth of Paul Cornell's Lychford novellas featuring Lizzie, the Anglican vicar, Judith Mawson, elderly hedge witch and wise-woman and Autumn, her apprentice wise woman and magic-shop owner. The three of them keep Lychford free of magical threats. The not-so-sleepy village lies on a confluence between magical worlds, and threats seem to come out of nowere. Judith, always a little 'odd' has Alzheimers. She has moments of clarity but also moments of confusion. Her son, Shaun, who knows about his mum's magic, is contemplating putting her in a home, but for the moment is waiting to see how things develop. When Autumn figures out that there's a magical threat and she and Lizzie track it down to a woman named Mailtalnd Picton who is offering 'wishes' with all the potential damage they can do if carried out literally.. With Judith only intermittently helpful, they think they've discovered what Picton is and neutralised her, but the threat much more than they thought, and might even change reality itself. In the end it's Judith who is the key. I love these novellas. There's a delightful interplay between the three main characters. I admit I had to brush away a tear or two at the end, but there's every indication that there will be more Lychford books. Good!
