📝8/10

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! 

This time: is it the stuff myths are made of?

MY SCATTERED AND TOTALLY IRRELEVANT NOTES:

This review is based on the audiobook version, narrated by Stephen Thorne and released in 2008.

I really appreciate Donald Cotton’s unique approach to this story, which is told by the legendary myth-maker, Homer, recounting the events of his youth from his own perspective. Cotton brings Homer to life with a distinct personality, making his storytelling enjoyable and engaging. He even breaks the fourth wall to address the reader directly, adding a personal touch that enhances the experience.

Cotton’s narrative style allows him to present the familiar story in a more vibrant and playful manner, breathing new life into the tale in a way that differs from the original. There’s a delightful, tongue-in-cheek quality throughout, reminiscent of the TV version’s comedic approach, yet it goes deeper to provide additional context for those unfamiliar with the Iliad.

An entertaining element of this approach is how Homer inserts himself into the action in clever ways—such as stepping into the role of the Cyclops (played by Tutte Lemkow in the TV serial). This allows him to "eavesdrop" on scenes he wouldn’t have been part of otherwise, giving him the chance to narrate them for the reader. As a result, not every scene from the original is included in the novelization, since Homer isn't present for everything, like Steven’s battle injury near the end.

The story itself centers around the dynamic between the Greek and Trojan characters, and narrator Stephen Thorne makes their lengthy conversations highly enjoyable. This is especially true when paired with Homer’s witty narration, filled with smart meta-jokes.

One downside of the novelization is that it sometimes goes off on tangents and loses focus. Additionally, it retains the original version's talkiness, which can occasionally make it feel slow-paced.

Thorne’s narration is a highlight, especially his portrayal of Homer. His take on William Hartnell’s Doctor is excellent, and he gives distinct voices to the Greek and Trojan characters, with Odysseus and Cassandra being particular standouts.

The use of subtle sound effects and music adds a nice touch, emphasizing key moments and transitions between chapters.

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• Love how this book explains why there were fewer historical adventures in Doctor Who after the Hartnell era - the Doctor was afraid he’d meddle with history too much!