Lucien Barnes
When I first saw the mad cover of this book, I couldn't wait until it came out. I still can't make my mind up about the picture on the cover - it's either hideous, or an instant ab fab classic.
The book itself is immensely rewarding, silly fun. I've grown to love Paul Magrs' writing style - at first I was confused, but now I'm used to his witty "I'm an academic, really" approach to Doctor Who.
Previously, this has involved killer sheep, shopping centres and madcap parodies of Terrance Dicks, but this book is purely poodles.
The story has several misleading twists and turns - you keep on thinking it's going to be a murder mystery, or an exploration of a strange alien culture - but after the first hundred pages it settles down into a quest for literary truth.
I haven't had to deal with such weird complexities as the location of the author in his texts and the anxiety of influence since Uni, so it was refreshing to come back to it after all this time and discover that literary theory is all about a fear of cute little doggies.
More entertaining than Jacques Derrida, snappier than Harold Bloom, and less intimidating than FR Leavis, Mad Dogs and Englishman is all about the terrible things that can happen to a work of literature when its author's mind wanders.
Spoofing all sorts of famous people and events - including the literary circle that Tolkien and CS Lewis held in the Lamb and Flag, Noel Coward's legendary Vegas sessions, and George Lucas's love of his own action figures - Magrs pulls out a book that is a simple, wistful joy to read.
He even makes the poodles loveable. And I hate dogs.
Bryan Simcott
Wow. I thought it was going to be pants, but what a Doctor Who novel. Taking us all the way from here to anywhere, with a cast that would make a Royal Variety Performance something to watch.
And I actually loved the cover.
Doris Speed-Keller
I was amazed - I enjoyed reading a Paul Magrs story.
Unfortunately the euphoria soon died as the mountain of borrowed, albeit brilliantly disguised, ideas became higher and higher. I shouldn't have been surprised because so far Mr. Magrs hasn't written a truly original Who-novel and he doesn't produce his own story titles but happily pinches from Marlene Dietrich films, John Ruskin (Stones of Venice) and now Noel Coward.
I can't fault Paul Magrs' writing. It's often so beautifully done it hurts, therefore it's doubly sad that such an accomplished writer needs constant allusions to other literary works.
This, I'm quite sure, is intentionally done and it could be great fun, but after having noticed the ninth innuendo, annoyance drowns out the story.
***Spoiler warning***
Up to page 160 I swore this was Paul Magrs' best offering in the eighth Doctor series, but this judgement was shattered when Brenda turned out to be Iris. My irritation mounted - so far I haven't found anyone who actually likes this two-dimensional character. Imagining that the Doctor could like this woman is beyond belief.
Having one Noel Coward was quite enough, having to cope with several was exasperating. In the end all was resolved with the help of pinking scissors. Yes, I rest my case. I'm sure the writing of this light piece of Who fiction must have been a hoot, judging by the list of names who all must have added their precious bit of fun but I do wonder if this is very satisfying for the reader?
Simon Barber
I have had trouble with Margs books before as they take forever before we find out what the hell is happening.
However, in this case the journey through the weird stuff in the author's mind is more entertaining because the Doctor has more to do than in his other books. The knowing literary jokes referring to The Lord of the Rings and and C. S Lewis are also quite interesting.
Basically, it's a book about literature. It's also a lot of fun, as here we find that anything can and does happen, regardless of past continuity.
Andrew Brookes
Going into the bookshop, my eye was instantly drawn to Mad Dogs, with its bizarre cover. I bought it on impulse but I certainly wasn't disappointed.
This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read for a long time. With its many weird and wonderful characters and settings, it was entertaining and good fun throughout.
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