Doctor Who: The Celestial Toymaker

'The Celestial Toymaker' is a Doctor Who story which has something of a strong reputation based on the eponymous villain. Sadly, the Toymaker is really the only worthwhile element in this story.The story features the TARDIS crew, captured by the Toymaker, and forced to play against the Toymaker and his servants in a series of games. If they lose, they will become the Toymaker's playthings.The games are largely English school games and while this may have worked on-screen, the description of them is pretty unengaging. Unfortunately, most of this story no longer exists in its original form (and the one episode I have seen is pretty boring, too) so this may be the only way to enjoy this story.The Toymaker has been popular enough to return (in written form) a couple of times: you might want to read 'Nightmare Fair' or 'Divided Loyalties' to see him in a better story.

Having never watched the telesnaps or photonovels or listened to the audiotrack for ‘The Celestial Toymaker’, reading this novelisation has been my first experience of the full complete story. Seeing the surviving fourth episode left me hugely intrigued and hoping vainly that the rest of the serial would one day be discovered. Giving up on that extremely unlikely eventuality I decided to finally read the novelisation. Unfortunately, it is highly disappointing.Considering that the entire concept of the story is based around playing games with high stakes it is surprisingly dull. Part of this is to do with the writing that is fairly bland and uninspiring; failing to instil any sense of the atmosphere or magic of Doctor Who.But the story itself just seems to be lacking. The Doctor is completely utterly side lined to the point where he can’t be seen, heard or touch anything (a case where Hartnell’s real life holiday has proved detrimental to the programme). In his absence Steven and Dido are left to bicker with each other and the Toymaker’s minions whilst they play vaguely ridiculous games and listen to pointless riddles. Somehow despite the frivolous nature there is no humour or sense of fun. It makes you wonder how it could have sustained four episodes.The big surprise is how ineffectual the Celestial Toymaker is as the major villain of the piece and as one of the more famous adversaries of the First Doctor’s era. Despite clearly being some type of entity of great power he doesn’t really seem to do anything other than loiter around mocking the Doctor and making snide remarks. He comes across as petty as his minions. Michael Gough’s performance at least gives him a sense of menace; something that is sadly lacking from his portrayal in the book.Disappointingly there is little elaboration on this enigmatic figure in the novelisation. Other than the inference from the Doctor that the Toymaker encountered by the Tardis crew is only one of several or perhaps of a whole race of Toymakers, there is no explanation of what the Toymaker is or where he comes from. However, he is obviously a powerful being that the Doctor has a previous awareness of and seems to have encountered before in his youth (although the canonicity is open to debate, this previous unseen encounter is the subject of the novel ‘Divided Loyalties’ which takes an interesting spin on the subject). There have been a few more appearances of the Toymaker in other media that has expanded upon the nature of what he is but he is, as yet, to ever return to the programme (his proposed return, ‘The Nightmare Fair’ being cancelled).

this is one of the more difficult target novels to find if the story only exist on soundtrack I like to get the novel as well and have to say I really enjoyed this book a real classic

The book arrived very quickly and was in mint condition. I was very pleased with my purchase which i had been searching for over some considerable time, and would recommend this seller.

A pure , childlike story like The Mind Robber.It is a short and rewarding read.

great item