Scan barcode
nwhyte's review
4.0
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3105136.html
A set of short stories about Bernice Summerfield's life before she joined the Doctor. Most of them are OK; the first ("Biology Lesson on Mal Oreille", by Xanna Eve Chown, a Malory Towers spoof)) and last ("Thirty Love", by Eddie Robson, in which she tries to explain tennis) are rather good; the second last ("Blood On The Tracks", by Andy Lane) is an outstanding tale of searching for an artifact which turns out to be more than we have been told, at least for Benny. For Benny continuity buffs really, but enjoyable.
A set of short stories about Bernice Summerfield's life before she joined the Doctor. Most of them are OK; the first ("Biology Lesson on Mal Oreille", by Xanna Eve Chown, a Malory Towers spoof)) and last ("Thirty Love", by Eddie Robson, in which she tries to explain tennis) are rather good; the second last ("Blood On The Tracks", by Andy Lane) is an outstanding tale of searching for an artifact which turns out to be more than we have been told, at least for Benny. For Benny continuity buffs really, but enjoyable.
antomicrose's review
3.0
Bernice Summerfield is a character that has appeared across novels and audio dramas for 20 years and this collection of short stories celebrates the first 15. Set throughout Bernice's life, the stories chronicle Bernice's adventures from a young girl to the world saving pint drinking mother we have now.
As with any anthology by numerous authors the quality of stories varies from the fantastic "Benny and Louise" by Caven Scott and Mark Wright to the not so fantastic "The Evacuation of Bernice Summerfield considered as a short film by Terry Gilliam" by Ben Aaronovitch.
But despite the varying quality of stories all the authors deliver brilliant characterisation of Bernice throughout her life, resulting in a rocky yet fun series of adventures.
As with any anthology by numerous authors the quality of stories varies from the fantastic "Benny and Louise" by Caven Scott and Mark Wright to the not so fantastic "The Evacuation of Bernice Summerfield considered as a short film by Terry Gilliam" by Ben Aaronovitch.
But despite the varying quality of stories all the authors deliver brilliant characterisation of Bernice throughout her life, resulting in a rocky yet fun series of adventures.
More...