Dr Whom or ET Shoots and Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Parodication by A.R.R.R. Roberts . . . Posted 22 February, 2009

Dr Whom or ET Shoots and Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Parodication by A.R.R.R. Roberts Gollancz. ISBN 100575079681. RRP $22.95 Reviewed by Edwina Harvey Book reviews index

    That full title is a mouthful, isn't it? And if the author's name looks familiar, well, it's the same guy who brought you such parodies as The Soddit, The Sellamillion, Star Warped and The Va Dinci Cod. So you know you're getting a light-hearted read with Dr Whom.

    It's obviously a parody of Dr Who. The Doctor travels through time and space in his trusty transport, the Tardy, seeking to correct bad punctuation. His loyal companions on this journey are Linnaeus Trout and Prose Tailor (whose name also seems to be his job description.). Together they encounter Stavros, leader of the Garleks, and the Cydermen.

    Dr Whom is a little unusual in that it's written from the perspective of Prose Tailor, who sounds remarkably like an earlier incarnation of Dr Who at times. In keeping with the tales of a traveller, the chapters are mixed up so the story isn't in chronological order. I thought that was a cute trick though it made reading a bit confusing at times. It gleefully exploits stereotypes from the show that inspired it. It's a spoof, but it's meant to be. And isn't imitation said to be the highest form of flattery?

    While not side-splittingly funny, the appalling puns had me groaning good naturedly. A Garlek rolling off a list of "Exterminate" variations and Stavros with his thick Greek accent were among the best bits. Dr Whom set out to be light entertainment, and that's what it achieved. Not to be looked at if you take your Dr Who seriously, but if you're willing to laugh at your hero's expense, this may well be the book for you.