Doctor Who: The Stealers Of Dreams
by Steve Lyons
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Book Summary Information
Author: Steve LyonsEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-01-10
ISBN: 0563486384
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Random House UK
Book Reviews of Doctor Who: The Stealers Of Dreams
Book Review: "I say that even the bad dreams are good for us."
Summary: 5 Stars
There is just something bemusing and yet clever about a work of escapist fiction whose underlying theme is, well, escapist fiction--its role and purpose, how drab and matter-of-fact our lives would be without it. As fictional universes go, that of "Doctor Who" may well be one of the best potential arenas in which to explore this theme, and Steve Lyons manages to milk that potential for all it's worth in this highly entertaining, nicely crafted, and slyly thoughtful science fiction adventure.
"The Stealers of Dreams" as a story takes place at some indeterminate point near the end of the revived program's first series, apparently somewhere between "The Doctor Dances" and "Bad Wolf" (Doctor Who - The Complete First Series) and so features the relatively short-lived Ninth Doctor and his ever-popular companions Rose and Captain Jack. Lyons' portrayal of these characters is incredibly accurate and true-to-form while still being dynamic and creative (rather than, say, trying vainly to establish their personalities by merely mimicking catchphrases from the show). Their relationships as they were then are depicted convincingly, and Lyons has a surefire sensitive grasp of their interactions. Thrilling adventure and quirky humor blend properly. The style, atmosphere, and pacing of his storytelling feels right at home with the 2005 series while doing something a little different and tackling ideas better handled in prose than on screen. These are all pluses not to be taken for granted.
The story at first seems like an edifying but predictable dystopian vision of a future where fiction, fantasy, and little white lies are outlawed by the powers that be so as to squelch creativity and any sort of thinking outside the box, keeping the populace passively content in their place. That alone would've been okay enough in and of itself. But Lyons takes this dependably good premise and, while exploring its consequences in compellingly creative and sometimes funny ways, gives it some deliciously unconventional twists and tweaks leading up to several skillfully foreshadowed yet intriguingly unexpected revelations. And that's when the Doctor saves the day, of course, but not in the way you were probably thinking at the start. I was thrown for a good loop a few times anyway, and loved every minute of it.
I've read and enjoyed a few of the other recent Doctor Who novels, but this is by far the best-written and strongest overall, at least in my opinion. And it's the only one so far that failed to induce a slightly self-embarrassed feeling of being a thirty-something indulging in a book pitched primarily at bright teens. Though in the final analysis that's indeed what it is, but it's fantastic for anyone of any age who's looking for a little escapist fiction with an intelligent touch.
Summary of Doctor Who: The Stealers Of Dreams
In the far future, the Doctor, Rose, and Captain Jack find a world on which fiction has been outlawed. A world where it's a crime to tell stories, a crime to lie, a crime to hope, and a crime to dream. But now somebody is challenging the status quo. A pirate TV station urges people to fight back, and the Doctor wants to help - until he sees how easily dreams can turn into nightmares. With one of his companions stalked by shadows and the other committed to an asylum, the Doctor is forced to admit that fiction can be dangerous after all. Though perhaps it is not as deadly as the truth...Science Fiction Books
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