This is the second , for me, in a series of Doctor Who novels in which The Doctor and friends meet up with real life historical figures, in these instances people who for one reason or another are considered Iconic. In this novella The Doctor deliberately travels back in time to meet his latest favourite writer; Shirley Jackson. In the past his favourite writer has been Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare and HG Wells, meetings during which "things kick off." He travels, with Ruby Sunday, Syracuse University 1937 to meet this much admired American writer, in the years befor she became the Shirley Jackson the wider world would think it knew. Way before she had accomplished anything which contribute to her being regarded an "Icon."
Its a strange little novella, more remenescent of Jodie Whitaker's era than Ncutti Gatwa's, as when I read Kalynn Bayron's it fitted that iterations tone more closely. Also nowhere feels more alien a location for The Doctor's travels than America. Sublety goes out the window and stories are told in broad strokes, although The Chaos Box does feel more substantial than that. I could not help thinking that it might have been a more challenging notion to have this iteration of The Doctor team up with HP Lovecraft. Given Lovecrafts unsettling notions on race.To show that The Doctor was capable of a form of graciousness, a forgiving and understanding that most people seem incapable off.Imagine how Lovecraft would have reacted to this brilliant man from beyond the stars who turns all his daft notions on race on their heads. For all his brilliance Lovecraft was a very damaged man who might have responded positively to a mind and an open nature that he had never experienced in his life. But thats a novel in another reality...
Its Shirley Jackson in this book and she has surely (No pun intended) earned her place on a list of icons.
