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Book Description
The definitive story of how Doctor Who is made, by the show's executive producer
Product Description
A fascinating look at the creative life of the hit BBC series, Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale is executive producer Russell T. Davies' personal tour of the Doctor's universe. A unique collection of correspondence between Russell and writer Benjamin Cook, the book explores in detail Russell's work on Doctor Who Series 4, revealing how he plans the series and works with the show's writers. Fully illustrated with script pages, personal notes, and never-before-seen photos and artwork, The Writer's Tale is a love letter to television, and a fitting tribute to one of the most popular family dramas of all time.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved the original Writer's Tale - lovingly presented and fantastic content - and it became one of my very favourite non-fiction books, so I was eagerly looking forward to this extension of the correspondence. When flicking through, my first feeling was slight disappointment - but I'll come back to that.
Firstly, to put that bit about "300 new pages" in context. In its new paperback form, the original book runs to 340 pages, and there's 340 of new stuff in addition - so you've got a new book's worth on top!
But, I do feel that it loses something in a black and white paperback edition. The original was vibrant, with illustrations by RTD dotted throughout plus lots of little photos - so when you read a piece of correspondence or a script extract you could instantly relate it to what you saw on screen. This reprint of book one loses a lot of that.
More than that though, most of the actual scripts that were dotted through the correspondence in book one have been removed in the reprint 'to make space'. (These were the RTD first drafts - you can now get the final versions for some free online.) I felt they added a lot in explaining the development of episode ideas and scripts.
For these reasons, if you're new to this (and can afford the considerable extra expense) I'd recommend buying the beautifully presented original and then this in addition for the new stuff.
As to the new stuff - well the correspondence is as revealing, intimate, witty and fascinating as before. There's no sign that the comments are more self-conscious given the knowledge this time around of their ultimate publication.
So, overall, a slight sense of initial disappointment in the cheaper paperback - I'd have happily paid for a shiny hardback volume two - but the brilliance of the correspondence has to win out overall, so it stays five stars for me.
Firstly, to put that bit about "300 new pages" in context. In its new paperback form, the original book runs to 340 pages, and there's 340 of new stuff in addition - so you've got a new book's worth on top!
But, I do feel that it loses something in a black and white paperback edition. The original was vibrant, with illustrations by RTD dotted throughout plus lots of little photos - so when you read a piece of correspondence or a script extract you could instantly relate it to what you saw on screen. This reprint of book one loses a lot of that.
More than that though, most of the actual scripts that were dotted through the correspondence in book one have been removed in the reprint 'to make space'. (These were the RTD first drafts - you can now get the final versions for some free online.) I felt they added a lot in explaining the development of episode ideas and scripts.
For these reasons, if you're new to this (and can afford the considerable extra expense) I'd recommend buying the beautifully presented original and then this in addition for the new stuff.
As to the new stuff - well the correspondence is as revealing, intimate, witty and fascinating as before. There's no sign that the comments are more self-conscious given the knowledge this time around of their ultimate publication.
So, overall, a slight sense of initial disappointment in the cheaper paperback - I'd have happily paid for a shiny hardback volume two - but the brilliance of the correspondence has to win out overall, so it stays five stars for me.
44 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
There's no shortage of glossy "Doctor Who" books on the shelves but this is by far the most revealing. It digs deep and gives the reader a fascinating insight into the exhaustion, exhileration and relentless hard slog that goes into the flagship show. Read it, even if you don't care for DW, if you want to know the truth about a writer's life. It's very warts-and-all, at times very funny, and always comes over as being honest. You won't get closer than this to finding out why things turned out the way they did. In particular, RTD's thoughts on "Journey's End", the S4 finale, are intriguing and reveal how he copes with the inevitable gulf between his first concept of how a story should end and the version that reaches the screen, subject to the limitations of budget, time, actor availability and overall tone.
Like the Doctor himself, RTD clearly feels under pressure as the man everyone looks to for answers, he finds it almost impossible to relinquish control of his beloved show, yet a part of him longs for a break from the constant creative demands on his energies, preferably before the stress kills him.
There are certainly a few dark nights of the soul here, but also complete versions of the scripts of "Voyage of the Damned", "Partners in Crime" and the explosive two-parter finale, including the early drafts and absorbing explanations for the way things changed later. An extra bonus is a plethora of photographs, some from deleted scenes, and RTD's unexpectedly witty and professional cartoons of cast and characters.
Like the Doctor himself, RTD clearly feels under pressure as the man everyone looks to for answers, he finds it almost impossible to relinquish control of his beloved show, yet a part of him longs for a break from the constant creative demands on his energies, preferably before the stress kills him.
There are certainly a few dark nights of the soul here, but also complete versions of the scripts of "Voyage of the Damned", "Partners in Crime" and the explosive two-parter finale, including the early drafts and absorbing explanations for the way things changed later. An extra bonus is a plethora of photographs, some from deleted scenes, and RTD's unexpectedly witty and professional cartoons of cast and characters.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The idea behind the original 'Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale' hardback was simple - head writer and executive producer Russell T Davies corresponded with journalist Benjamin Cook over the course of a year or so, the end result being a kind of diary of the process of writing and overseeing such a large-scale and complex show. The paperback edition, 'The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter', retains this correspondence, but also continues it, almost doubling the page count and bringing the story up to July 2009, effectively the end of Russell's time on the programme. So, as well as getting the inside story of episodes from the Kylie-starring Christmas special 'Voyage of the Damned' right up to the end of Series Four, this edition includes the 2009 specials, David Tennant's departure, and the making of the 'Torchwood: Children of Earth' mini-series amongst other things.
Unlike a lot of the 'Doctor Who' tie-ins (and frankly, TV tie-ins in general), this is a pretty frank account of the nuts-and-bolts of a writer's life - struggling to come up with fresh ideas, the long, hard process of writing and rewriting according to the needs of the production, as well as the mayhem that comes from being a very visible presence at the heart of the media circus surrounding the programme. It's often surprising to see Russell T Davies, who often comes across in interviews as supremely confident and in control, plagued by self-doubt and finding himself staring at an empty page with time running out. Benjamin Cook's involvement is as part-interviewer, part-sounding board - at times he's responding to Russell's comments and suggestions (sometimes in a negative manner, and in at least one instance, prompting a complete rethink on the part of the production team as to the ending of an episode), at others leaping in with great questions for Russell about his life and work, which help to make the book less 'The Thoughts of Chairman Davies'.
As someone who had read the original hardback, I was unsure about the prospect of an expanded paperback edition - but the sheer amount of new material here means that this feels more like two books in one, a sequel of almost equal length bundled with the original. As such, it's well worth a read even for those who've got the hardback - the new stuff is particularly fascinating as it tells a slightly different story, not so much the production of a series that has, to an extent, settled down to a regular kind of schedule, but a mad scramble to assemble and write a series of specials whose format seems to be constantly in flux in the run-up to production, owing to concerns about scheduling, budgets, the logistics of production and so on. Add to this the cloak-and-dagger activity of announcing David Tennant's departure, and innumerable public appearances including the promotion of the original 'Writer's Tale' book, and it becomes a considerably more varied volume than the original.
Both fascinating for would-be writers or 'Doctor Who' fans alike, 'The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter' is probably the most enjoyable book on either subject that I've ever read. It's refreshingly frank, full of insight, and is terrific value. Whether you've got the original or not, this really is essential reading.
Unlike a lot of the 'Doctor Who' tie-ins (and frankly, TV tie-ins in general), this is a pretty frank account of the nuts-and-bolts of a writer's life - struggling to come up with fresh ideas, the long, hard process of writing and rewriting according to the needs of the production, as well as the mayhem that comes from being a very visible presence at the heart of the media circus surrounding the programme. It's often surprising to see Russell T Davies, who often comes across in interviews as supremely confident and in control, plagued by self-doubt and finding himself staring at an empty page with time running out. Benjamin Cook's involvement is as part-interviewer, part-sounding board - at times he's responding to Russell's comments and suggestions (sometimes in a negative manner, and in at least one instance, prompting a complete rethink on the part of the production team as to the ending of an episode), at others leaping in with great questions for Russell about his life and work, which help to make the book less 'The Thoughts of Chairman Davies'.
As someone who had read the original hardback, I was unsure about the prospect of an expanded paperback edition - but the sheer amount of new material here means that this feels more like two books in one, a sequel of almost equal length bundled with the original. As such, it's well worth a read even for those who've got the hardback - the new stuff is particularly fascinating as it tells a slightly different story, not so much the production of a series that has, to an extent, settled down to a regular kind of schedule, but a mad scramble to assemble and write a series of specials whose format seems to be constantly in flux in the run-up to production, owing to concerns about scheduling, budgets, the logistics of production and so on. Add to this the cloak-and-dagger activity of announcing David Tennant's departure, and innumerable public appearances including the promotion of the original 'Writer's Tale' book, and it becomes a considerably more varied volume than the original.
Both fascinating for would-be writers or 'Doctor Who' fans alike, 'The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter' is probably the most enjoyable book on either subject that I've ever read. It's refreshingly frank, full of insight, and is terrific value. Whether you've got the original or not, this really is essential reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best book on scriptwriting I've read to date
I've been a fan of Doctor Who since it started and more recently have been watching the other products of Russell T. and was equally impressed by them. Read more
Published 3 months ago by YMurphy
On Writing
On Writing
This book shuld be mandatory reading for any aspiring writers out there, science fiction and otherwise. Read more
This book shuld be mandatory reading for any aspiring writers out there, science fiction and otherwise. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Greycat
Russell T. signs off in style
First off, I bought "The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter" which was essemtially 2 books in 1. I'd seen the book on the sheleves for a little while, had skimmed through it, but not... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jayke1981
A tour de force of wit and wisdom!
I had the original book and liked it so much that I thought, what the hell! I like these kind of books especially as I am now nearly 50 years young and can remember the last year... Read more
Published 12 months ago by D. Foster
A great read
A great insight into the story behind Dr Who and the stars involved and writing process. Great read, great pictures.
Published 18 months ago by flirtyk
Remarkable Insight Into The Writing Process
"Try sitting with every other doubt and fear about yourself and everyone, all on your own, with no ending or help or conclusion... Read more
Published 19 months ago by D. Cook
Brilliant insight for series fans and aspiring TV writers
I love Steven Moffat's confession to RTD: 'I thought you just sat there at the keyboard and laughed all day! Read more
Published 20 months ago by Kiray007
A fascinating look at how British TV is made
As both a fan of the recent revival of "Doctor Who" and as a writer keen to learn more about the craft, I found "The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter" to be an informative,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by M. Board
A Great Insight and Fun
I really like this book, easy to read and gives you a great insight into the process of writing in general and for Doctor Who, and you appreciate more the hard work that goes into... Read more
Published 21 months ago by ccjayneb
One of the most enjoyable books I have read
Russel Davies' book on the writng of Dr Who from series 4 to The End of Time is amazing. As a heterosexual man I can probably never understand the meaning for Russell in what he... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mick L
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