The Massacre

"Catholic must not fight Catholic."

Writer: John Lucarotti 

Format: Novel

Released: November 1987

Series: Target 122

Featuring: First Doctor, Steven

Synopsis

The TARDIS lands in Paris on 19 August 1572. Driven by scientific curiosity, the Doctor leaves Steven to meet and exchange views with the apothecary, Charles Preslin.

Before he disappears, he warns Steven to stay out of 'mischief, religion and politics'. But in sixteenth-century Paris it is impossible to remain a mere observer, and Steven soon finds himself involved with a group of Huguenots. 

The Protestant minority of France is being threatened by the Catholic hierarchy, and danger stalks the Paris streets. As Steven tries to find his way back to the TARDIS he discovers that one of the main persecutors of the Huguenots appears to be – the Doctor.

Verdict

The Massacre was a very good novelisation of the televised serial of a slightly longer name. This was a pure historical in every sense of the word and that aspect was certainly an element I thoroughly enjoyed. The unfamiliar setting of sixteenth-century Paris worked very well and worked as a fantastic basis for what was an entertaining and education story. This was the First Doctor era at its finest in my eyes as I actually learned a great deal about the period which just enhanced my reading. The way the novelisation was bookended by the Doctor answering to the Time Lords for his interference was intriguing because it was certainly mysterious, but it didn't really offer a great deal for the story as a whole. It definitely gave it more of a Doctor Who feel though which was positive. I thought the characterisation of the First Doctor was terrific throughout this book and I enjoyed having him up to his mischievous old ways in wanting to go off on his own exploring for his own curiosities. I'm not sure he couldn't just tell Steven about his fascination with Preslin and how he would be one of the first to coin the theory of germination. It was certainly a lot of fun though for him to just rush off and leave Steven alone in Paris during this era, especially once they'd deduced what date it was at the auberge in quite a lengthy passage. The way the setting was used was very good and whilst I enjoyed the general premise of the story, there probably were a few too many characters with a political role that needed a bit more understanding. There was the list of characters and their roles before the prologue, but I don't think that quite sufficed for the level of detail that went in here. I appreciated that though because it really did take us back to this period of history. The Doctor baring resemblance to the Abbot of Amboise was really fun and I can just picture him enjoying that and just revelling in the potential that provided him in Paris. Anne was a lovely character and I thoroughly enjoyed her relationship with Steven and the innuendo that came with it, despite her being fifteen! Once that was revealed I was quite surprised by her age as she had shown a great deal of maturity. The religious role in the story was excellent and again a fantastic use of the setting. The distain between Catholics and Huguenots was really interesting to play out and the impending killing of the latter by the former was brilliant. Simon Duvaal was a very good character and I loved the moment where he triumphantly claimed to the true Abbot his knowledge of his secret agent being Steven based on the Doctor's appearance with him in the auberge. That was a lot of fun. The Doctor playing around with him and utilising his resemblance was also marvellous. Lerans and Muss were also good characters and I liked how they helped the Doctor, and vice versa, towards the book's conclusion. The way the Doctor let the true Abbot be killed was a little surprising, especially with the speed in which he justified it happening! That was a little out of character, even for the first incarnation. His meddling in history to try and prevent the assassination was very interesting because traditionally he is so against meddling and interfering in established events. He'd even said so earlier in the novel! The way all of his interference here was put towards him in the epilogue was very nicely and humorously done. I was a little surprised the arrival of Dodo was omitted from the novel, especially with how much Steven clearly had a friendly relationship with Anne and wanted to help her family. I also loved his comment to the Doctor at the end about laughing at his stance on meddling. The Doctor still staunchly defended his actions and how it was the seal of the Abbot, despite him placing it there! Overall though, a really good novelisation of a great adventure. Hopefully one day it could be found or animated!

Rating: 8/10