Review: Running Through Corridors vol. 1 by Rob Shearman and Toby Hadoke

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Running Through Corridors, Volume 1: The 60s: Rob and Toby's Marathon Watch of Doctor Who by Robert Shearman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Rob Shearman and Toby Hadoke spent a year watching every episode of Doctor Who in order and writing down their thoughts about it. If your reaction to that idea is, "Wow, that sounds fun!" then this is the book for you; If your reaction is, "Wow, that is...exceptionally geeky," (or worse), then you should probably pass.

Shearman and Hadoke are possibly the perfect people to take on this project. Both are Doctor Who fans, and have been from an early age. Both are a bit obsessive. In addition to sheer fannish enthusiasm, though, Shearman brings a seasoned dramatist's eye for pacing and story structure, while Hadoke brings to bear both his own experience as an actor as well as his incredible knowledge of British character actors. I don't think I've ever read another book on Doctor Who that bridges the technical and professional perspective and the sheer fannish sense of delight so effortlessly. (Well, maybe The Writer's Tale. But that's a very different beast.)

It's not exactly a quick read, partly because it is so dense with opinion and information, and partly because it will make you want to stop and rewatch the episodes they're discussing. If you are a fan of 1960s Who, you should have this book.



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