The Awakening (novelisation)
The Awakening was a novelisation based on the 1984 television serial The Awakening.
Publisher's summary
1985 Target Books edition
The Doctor has promised Tegan that they will visit her grandfather in the English village of Little Hodcombe, in the year 1984, a precision of timing and location that the TARDIS has not always achieved...
When the Type-40 machine comes to rest, the view on the scanner screen only serves to confirm Tegan's rather low expectations of the TARDIS's performance.
The most sensible course of action would be to leave immediately – but despite Turlough's protests the Doctor rushes out to take on a seemingly hopeless rescue mission...
1992 Target Books edition
'WE'RE IN THE WRONG CENTURY,' WALIED TEGAN. 'NO, WE'RE NOT,' THURLOUGH ASSURED HER GAIMLY. 'IT IS 1984.'
The Doctor has promised Tegan that he will take her to visit her grandfather's village of Little Hodcombe. But all is not well in this little village - the whole population is involved in a war game that seems even more sinister, and little Hodcombe itself is surrounded by an energy field. Something is very wrong indeed, and the Doctor, Turlough and Tegan take on what seems to be a hopeless rescue mission.
This is a novelization by Eric Pringle of his own original story, first broadcast in 1984 and featuring Peter Davison in the role of the Doctor.
2010 BBC Audio edition
May Day is approaching in the English village of Little Hodcombe, scene of an ancient Civil War battle. When the TARDIS arrives, the Doctor's companion, Tegan, is hoping to visit her grandfather. Yet the travellers learn that he has mysteriously disappeared, and the planned re-enactment of the battle has taken on a menacing tone.
Local schoolteacher Jane Hampden knows how the county squire plans to celebrate May Day: with the May Queen meeting a grisly end. Can Jane make the villages see sense, or are they under the influence of some unseen force? The village church holds the clues to what is happening in Little Hodcombe, and soon the Doctor is facing an ancient alien foe. Can he and his friends triumph against it?
Chapter titles
- An Unexpected Aura
- The Devil in the Church
- The Body in the Barn
- Of Psychic Things
- 'A Particularly Nasty Game'
- The Awakening
- Tegan the Queen
- Stone Monkey
- Servant of the Malus
- Fulfilment
Deviations from televised story
- There are a few minor dialogue changes, such as Tegan and Turlough's lines about the church being refused planning permission being transposed.
- Wolsey's sudden appearance to capture Tegan is explained as him stepping out of an alley.
- It is stated that Sir George Hutchinson's ancestor was squire in Will's time and the one who organised the burning of the May Queen and forced the villagers to fight.
- Jane opening the TARDIS door is omitted, even though the pay-off of the Doctor telling her to close them when they return is retained.
Writing and publishing notes
- Dedication “For Pat, Susanah and David, with love”
- Inside back cover features colour advert for Fantastic Doctor Who Poster Offers!
- This novelisation was later released as part of The Earth Adventures Collection.
Additional cover images
1985 Hardback edition
1992 edition.
Cover by Alister Pearson
British publication history
First publication:
- Hardback
- W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Audiobook
This Target Book was released as an audiobook on 5 August 2010 complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Nerys Hughes.
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.
Audiobook cover
