Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora [Paperback]

Philip Hinschcliffe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1986

Tim Pigott-Smith reads this gripping novelization of a classic Doctor Who adventure. Forced off course by the Mandragora Helix, the TARDIS lands in the province of San Martino in fifteenth-century Italy. Here, the court astrologer, Hieronymous, has been taken over by the Mandragora energy-form. The Doctor has to defeat not only the Mandragora energy, but the evil schemes of the murderous Count Frederico who plans to usurp the place of his nephew, the rightful ruler of the province.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Carol Pub Group (February 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0426118936
• ISBN-13: 978-0426118930
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,921,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Masque of who?, September 5, 2005

By 

Joe Tackett "tackettbass" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (Doctor Who, No 8) (Mass Market Paperback)

A great, fun old Who adventure. In this novel, Doctor Who gets knocked out twice, Sarah captured four times, and then the doctor sets up a trap that kills hundreds of peasents because they were dupped into a cult. Does the Doctor feel shame or sadness? No, he just asks for a salami sandwich. A fast read, and a good one. Enjoy it for what it is.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lots happening here, May 28, 2005

By 

Bill Huebsch (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (Doctor Who, No 8) (Mass Market Paperback)

This episode of the Doctor has quite a bit going on with two significant foes to be dispatched. First there is the political intrigue, a brother who is trying to steal his sibling's rule by killing said sibling and his son. Then there is the evil intelligence (the Mandragora) the Doctor has unwittingly brought with him. Its goal is (of course) to rule the universe.

The Doctor is aided by Sarah in this one, which takes place in Italy in 1492. No mention of Columbus though :) I found the political plot to be a bit distracting at times, it seemed more time was spent on it than the Mandragora. Personally I would have prefered more emphasis on the Mandragora.

All in all an OK book, and a quick read.

4.0 out of 5 stars The stars align for a good story, December 2, 2000

By 

"grrreg" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (Paperback)

The TARDIS takes the Doctor and Sarah close to the Mandragora Helix as they travel through the Vortex. Forced to materialise there temporarily, the TARDIS picks up an unwelcome passenger in the form of a ball of Mandragora energy, which forces the TARDIS off course to 15th century Italy.

There, Prince Giuliano is in a precarious position politically, under threat from his uncle Count Frederico, and the second, hidden threat of the Brotherhood of Demnos, a black-magic cult that Mandragora plans to use for its own ends... Caught up in political intrigue and the manipulations of a secret society, the Doctor and Sarah must prevent the annexation of Earth by the Mandragora Helix.

'The Masque of Mandragora' was an excellent TV serial, and makes the transition to the written page under the pen of its producer, Philip Hinchcliffe. The adaptation is a reasonable one, but perhaps suffers from the lack of the wonderful scenery of Portmeirion, where the serial was shot. However, the story is a strong one and makes a good transition to the novel form.