Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks (audiobook review)

You’ve watched the original TV serial countless times, but how does Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks compare as a novelization? Let’s take a look.

Genesis of the Daleks has to be one of the most well-known Doctor Who stories out there. It’s one that most Classic Series fans have definitely watched more than once, and even New Series fans are likely aware of it. It’s easy to see why it’s so popular – not only is it an extremely great story in its own right, but it has the brilliant concept of the Doctor exploring the Daleks’ very origins. Meeting their creator Davros for the first time is a huge bonus.

Having recently finished a journey of enjoying all of Davros’s stories in order – both on TV and on audio – it felt like the right time to go back to the beginning, albeit in a new way. Well, a relatively new way for this old fan. Because, while I’ve watched the original story at least thirty times, (and I do mean at least), I’ve never read the Target novelization.

With its inclusion in Doctor Who: The Dalek Collection, (which also includes four other audiobook readings, including the novelizations of The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Daleks’ Master Plan, and Death to the Daleks), it felt like as good a way to enjoy the novelization as any. Especially since the other audiobooks by BBC Audio have been a joy to listen to. So does Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks live up to these other readings?

How well does the novelization of Genesis of the Daleks compare to the original TV serial?

(Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

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Straightforward adaptation

Listening to The Dalek Collection has allowed me to enjoy the strengths of different Target novelizations. Some expand on the story significantly, others simply tell the story in a straightforward manner. Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks is definitely an example of the latter.

This isn’t surprising, especially since Dicks had to adapt the six-part story into a book less than 150 pages. He certainly does a great job of this, as he did for The Dalek Invasion of Earth and countless other Target books. And, in the days before home video, this would’ve been an excellent way for fans who missed the story the first time to enjoy it.

But if you’re as used to the story as I am – and indeed, as many fans are – there’s very little new to be found in the novelization. Especially when the original serial itself was so strong, both in terms of writing and production. However, that doesn’t mean that the novelization is unenjoyable. After all, it’s a straightforward adaptation of the original story, and that story is excellent.

Adding to the enjoyment is Jon Culshaw’s reading of the book. Not only does he get to impress the listeners with his excellent Tom Baker impression, but he also does a great job voicing several other characters. This is particularly true of Davros – while the voice effect certainly helps, Culshaw helps to sell the classic villain even further, getting the vocal quality and mannerisms of Michael Wisher’s original performance exactly right.

If you’re a fan of the original serial, there’s little new to be found from Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks. But if you want a great glimpse of 70s nostalgia, as well as a strong audio reading of an excellent story, then this audiobook is still worth a listen.

Have you read Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks? Did you read it before or after watching the original TV serial? If you read it before watching, did the serial live up to your expectations? Let us know in the comments below.