Time and Relative

Time and Relative is a Doctor Who novella set in 1963 London during one of Britain's most severe winters. The story takes place just before the events of the first televised Doctor Who episode, focusing on the First Doctor and his granddaughter Susan. The narrative centers on a mysterious force called The Cold that threatens Earth during the historical Big Freeze of 1963. The Doctor and Susan must confront this entity while navigating their lives as recent arrivals on Earth, where Susan attends Coal Hill School. This work combines historical events with science fiction elements, exploring themes of isolation, adaptation, and the relationship between aliens living secretly among humans. The story serves as a prequel that adds context to the Doctor Who universe while standing as its own contained narrative.

Readers appreciate Newman's portrayal of Susan Foreman and the level of historical detail about 1963 London. Many note the book captures the atmosphere of the early Doctor Who era while addressing social issues of the time period. The working-class school environment and student relationships receive praise for their authenticity. Common criticisms focus on the slow pacing in the first half and limited appearances by the Doctor. Some readers found the villain's motivations unclear and the climax rushed. A few reviews mention confusion about whether prior Doctor Who knowledge is needed to follow the story. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (98 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (15 ratings) Sample review quotes: "Great characterization of Susan but takes too long to get going" - Goodreads "Captures the Cold War paranoia perfectly" - Amazon "Would have liked more scenes with the Doctor himself" - LibraryThing

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🌟 The winter of 1963 was one of Britain's coldest on record, with temperatures dropping to -20°C (-4°F) and snow lying on the ground for over two months. 🌟 Kim Newman is a renowned horror fiction expert who has written for Empire magazine since 1989 and authored the popular "Anno Dracula" series. 🌟 The first episode of Doctor Who aired on November 23, 1963, just one day after President Kennedy's assassination, which affected initial viewership. 🌟 The character of Susan Foreman was the Doctor's first-ever companion in the series, and she appeared in 51 episodes between 1963 and 1964. 🌟 The novella format became particularly popular in science fiction during the 1960s, allowing writers to explore complex ideas without the length requirements of full novels.