Oh No It Isn't!

Oh No It Isn't! launches the Bernice Summerfield series of novels, spinning off from the Doctor Who New Adventures line. The book follows archaeologist Bernice Summerfield as she navigates her role as a professor at a university on a distant planet. The story combines elements of science fiction with the structure and conventions of British pantomime theater. The plot centers on mysterious events at the university that force Bernice and her colleagues to confront increasingly bizarre situations. The novel marks a transition point in Virgin Publishing's relationship with the Doctor Who franchise, establishing Bernice Summerfield as a lead character in her own right. Paul Cornell, who created Bernice as a Doctor Who companion, returned to write this first independent adventure. The book explores themes of identity and reality while balancing humor with serious science fiction concepts. Its mix of theatrical traditions with space-age settings creates a unique entry point into the expanded Doctor Who universe.

Readers found this Doctor Who spin-off novel entertaining but lightweight. Many fans appreciated Cornell's humor and enjoyed seeing Bernice Summerfield in her first solo adventure. The dialogue and character dynamics earned praise, with several reviewers noting it captures Bernice's voice well. Liked: - Fast-paced action - Comic timing - Character development for Bernice - LGBTQ+ representation Disliked: - Plot relies heavily on pantomime tropes - Some found the humor too silly - Confusing narrative structure - Supporting characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (89 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Fun but frivolous" - Goodreads reviewer "The pantomime elements work better than expected" - LibraryThing user "Too much slapstick, not enough substance" - Virgin Books forum archive No Amazon ratings available as the book is out of print.

@Theatrical Space by Sofia Samatar A theater director on a space station finds her productions infiltrated by an alien consciousness that turns performances into reality.

Academic Arcana by Charles Stross A university professor discovers that scientific research at her institution involves dimensional portals and must protect her students from paranormal phenomena.

The Last Stage to Eternity by Martha Wells An archaeologist working on a distant colony uncovers an ancient alien theater that forces its discoverers to perform in increasingly dangerous productions.

A Chorus of Stars by Robert Charles Wilson Reality shifts between performance and truth as a group of researchers at a space-based cultural center investigate anomalies in their productions.

The Professor's Paradox by Connie Willis A future Oxford lecturer finds herself trapped in a time loop where academic life merges with historical theatrical performances she studies.

🎭 The tradition of British pantomime dates back to the 16th century, blending elements of commedia dell'arte with British music hall entertainment 📚 Paul Cornell is a prolific writer who has written for Doctor Who, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics, earning him multiple Hugo Award nominations 🚀 Bernice Summerfield first appeared as a companion in Doctor Who novels in 1992, becoming one of the longest-running and most popular expanded universe characters 🎓 The book's university setting reflects a common theme in British science fiction, where academic institutions often serve as focal points for otherworldly events 📖 Virgin Publishing's transition from licensed Doctor Who books to original fiction was a pioneering move in the 1990s, helping establish the market for spin-off media