Book review
Written by Frank Collins
Classic TV Press paperback
Release date Out now

An academic look at season five of Doctor Who…

There’s little escaping the fact that this thought-provoking Doctor Who tome has a dog’s breakfast of a cover, featuring a side view of Matt Smith, the back of Karen Gillan and a supersized TARDIS, underlining the unofficial nature of the book. Readers shouldn’t be dissuaded from reading – this is an interesting and insightful assessment of Eleventh Doctor’s debut season that’s well worth picking up.

Collins isn’t the first author to put the Doctor’s adventures into cultural and sociological context, but he has provided an up-to-date guide that isn’t afraid to shy away from the more controversial aspects of the series, such as the much despised redesign of the Daleks. His examination of the gay themes that arise in The Lodger is guaranteed to have fans reaching for their DVDs to check out his theories. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 8/10
Get beyond the cover and there’s a minor gem here.