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Shada cover art

Shada

By: Douglas Adams, Gareth Roberts
Narrated by: Lalla Ward
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Summary

The Doctor's old friend and fellow Time Lord Professor Chronotis has retired to Cambridge University - where nobody will notice if he lives for centuries. But now he needs help from the Doctor, Romana, and K-9. When he left Gallifrey he took with him a few little souvenirs - most of them are harmless. But one of them is extremely dangerous.

The Worshipful and Ancient Law of Gallifrey isn't a book for Time Tots. It is one of the Artefacts, dating from the dark days of Rassilon. It must not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. The sinister Skagra most definitely has the wrong hands. He wants the book. He wants to discover the truth behind Shada. And he wants the Doctor s mind....

Shada was written by fan favorite Douglas Adams and based on the scripts for the original TV programme.

©2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2012 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

What listeners say about Shada

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing adaptation of a lost story (audible)

It pains me to criticise this book as I have waited for this lost Douglas Adams Doctor Who script to be novelised for many years.
I believe the noveliser has failed to understand how DW stories from the classic TV series should be adapted or is it that he is a fan and has lost his objectivity while writing it. He has expanded on the Adams script but has not enhanced it, making the story ponderous and overloaded with superflous detail that merely slows the story pace. He has also split the book into several parts and there are over seventy chapters - I am unsure what his reasons for this are but it adds nothing to the story structure and in the audible format becomes irritating. The background detail the noveliser has added appears forced, unnecessary and often anachronistic to the TV programme. The ending goes on for ever - way past the stories dramatic conclusion. As I am reviewing the audible version I should mention that Lalla Ward in my view doesn't have the vocal aesthetics to engage and her delivery comes across as haughty. The sound effects are fine and John Leeson contributes the voice of K9 which at least gives brief respites for the listener from LWs voice (her interpretation of Chronotis's dialogue is cringe making - was the producer listening?). I drifted away so many times from listening to this dull adaptation.
Apologies to all involved and it is just my opinion but it only gets 2 stars because I still think the Douglas Adams script was potentially amazing!

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Brilliant

SHADA is one of the best books I have listened to so far. And with Lalla Ward narrating made it even more special for me, as she played Romana 2, alongside Tom Baker in the classic series.
At first I wasn't sure with the sound effects used, but after the first couple of chapters it grew on me, and it adds that extra bit to the book, as I felt it helped with the moods you should be experiencing at that point, and that makes the listening experience much more enjoyable and immersive.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Brilliant Adventure in Time and Space

Brilliant Doctor Who audiobook with real heart and really good characters as well as as a brilliant villan. A wonderful story that balances a great plot steeped in wholore whilst being grounded in the emotions of the characters. Also do glad K9 was in this as well!!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

shada - a lost douglas adams maserpiece

If you could sum up Shada in three words, what would they be?

Douglas adams weaves his subtle humour and complex plots into a doctor who book

Who was your favorite character and why?

professor chronotis - for old times sake in the Gently series

What does Lalla Ward bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Atmosphere

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Hitchhiker joins tardis

Any additional comments?

great value

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Slightly technically marred but very enjoyable.

The narrator moved the story along smoothly.
I wasn't sure how I would like an audio book featuring such well known characters as these, but need not have worried. The only things which did irritate a little was that the spoken chapter numbers did not tie up with the onscreen display - but as I only looked at the screen occasionally that was a minor issue. Also, there were many chapters of very short duration which slightly disrupted the story flow. It was very difficult to sit down to, say half an hour of relaxation when it probable that I would end in the middle of a chapter. Better to have the facility to end after a set number of chapters.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A great story lost

This story could only be one for the fourth Doctor, the writers have captured the character created by Tom Baker and the story is all the better for it. Lala Ward reading as Romana also adds to the book. It is just a shame that the BBC lost the TV version.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect! My favourite audiobook

This is my favourite Doctor Who novel, and probably also my favourite audiobook of all time. Lalla Ward’s performance is brilliant, she does a great job. I particularly enjoy her breathy delivery of the Ship character, and of course her impersonation of her ex-husband. A real treat to have John Leeson as well, what a legend. A rip roaring and funny story, Roberts has fleshed out the story so well. Down to David Taylor’s Friday night with Mum, and the inner thoughts of Wilkin the Gatekeeper.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

absolutely brilliant. totally converted

not really been a fan of Dr who since I was a kid. this brings it all back, but with a huge dose of DA clever.
absolutely loved it. roll on the next episode.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

just perfect 👌

honestly this was just perfect for any doctor who or sci-fi fan of any kind! i loved it 😍

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Dr Who + Douglas Adams = Magnificent Nonsense

If you're a fan of either The Doctor or Mr Adams sit back and enjoy

Gareth Roberts I salute you!

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