“The best, most unputdownable behind-the-scenes book on the series ever written… The Writer’s Tale Mark II remains absorbing and insightful at every turn.”
★★★★★
“The back of this updated version of The Writer’s Tale provides a helpful capsule of our original review. ‘You can douse all the other books on new Who in lighter fuel and spark up your Zippo,’ our quote raves, ‘this is all you need!’ What sluts. We were right, though…”
Eyes down, look in:
» “An astoundingly wonderful release… Here’s hoping Cook is in communication now with Steven Moffat and already working on a book on his era” (Kasterborous)
» “A rare gem – engaging, gritty, enlightening – and something I really hope Steven Moffat continues as he takes over the helm of the BBC’s most beloved and successful series” (Through the Eyes of a Journalist)
» ★★★★★ (or ★★★★ if you’ve read the original already) “I’m jealous. I’m a big jealous idiot who needs a slap… Is Benjamin e-mailing Steven Moffat?” (Scyfilove.com)
» “Sometimes shit happens, but sometimes wonderful things do, too, and The Writer’s Tale shows you the whole ugly-pretty mess” (The Medium is Not Enough)
» “For fans of the show, The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter is the ultimate reference book - utterly indispensable… One wonders (and hopes) if the Scotsman [Moffat] will undertake such a tome to record his experiences” (Blogtor Who)
» “For my money anyway, one of the best books ever written about the actual process of writing” (The Mirrorball)
» “They are precious pieces of writing. Worth their weight in gold because they get past all of Davies’ showman bluster” (Behind the Sofa)
» “A fascinating, at times emotional trip” (From the North)
» “A compulsive read, and a revealing - if frightening - glimpse into the working practices of one particular TV writer” (Total Sci-Fi Online)
That’s yer lot. Except to say…
» Chris Addison (The Thick of It, etc) has been saying nice things about The Writer’s Tale on Twitter
The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter is a “free-wheeling, irksome email discourse”, according to Private Eye’s pseudonymous literary reviewer “Bookworm”. The latest issue of the fortnightly satirical and current-affairs magazine, edited by Ian Hislop, describes Russell and Benjamin’s “astonishingly long sequel” to 2008’s The Writer’s Tale (”the 512-page granite slab/occasional table”) as an “irritating experience” and, bizarrely, lacking in “self-doubt” - “an intergalactic love-in: a bring-your-own-extolment party in which readers are invited to bask in the outrageous genius of this bear-like TV demagogue”.
Yes, really.
Can you believe it?
WE’VE BEEN REVIEWED IN PRIVATE EYE!!! 
OMG!!!
(Subscription, cancelled, etc, etc.)
“DOCTOR WHO BOOK NOT JUST FOR GEEKS!” proclaims the new issue of Heat, on sale today. The magazine lists Russell and Benjamin’s The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter on its Hot List of “The Top Ten Things We At Heat Are Completely Obsessed With This Week”.
“The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter, the paperback version of Russell T Davies’ funny, gripping account of being in charge of Doctor Who, has 300 new pages!” raves the magazine. Other things on Heat’s Hot List include the new series of Skins, the ‘Single Ladies’ scene in Glee, and Empire of the Sun’s latest single ‘Without You’. Naturally.
Copyright BBC Books 2008
