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{{Short description|English-language sci-fi book by Paul Cornell published in 1995}}
{{Short description|1995 novel by Paul Cornell}}
{{for|the Doctor Who episode of the same name|Human Nature (Doctor Who)}}
{{for|the 2007 Doctor Who episode of the same name, adapting the novel|Human Nature (Doctor Who)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Infobox book
{{Infobox book
|name = Human Nature
| name = Human Nature
|image = Human Nature (Doctor Who).JPG
| image = Human Nature (Doctor Who).JPG
|caption =
| caption =
|cover_artist = Bill Donohoe
| cover_artist = Bill Donohoe
|author = [[Paul Cornell]]
| author = [[Paul Cornell]]
|series = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' book:<br />[[Virgin New Adventures]]
| series = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' book:<br>[[Virgin New Adventures]]
|release_number = 38
| release_number = 38
|subject = Featuring:<br />[[Seventh Doctor]]<br />[[Bernice Summerfield]]
| subject = {{ubl|Featuring:|[[Seventh Doctor]]|[[Bernice Summerfield]]}}
|release_date = May 1995
| release_date = May 1995
|publisher = [[Virgin Books]]
| publisher = [[Virgin Books]]
|pages = 255
| pages = 255
| isbn = 0-426-20443-3
| isbn = 0-426-20443-3
|preceded_by = [[Sanctuary (McIntee novel)|Sanctuary]]
| preceded_by = [[Sanctuary (McIntee novel)|Sanctuary]]
|followed_by = [[Original Sin (Lane novel)|Original Sin]]
| followed_by = [[Original Sin (Lane novel)|Original Sin]]
}}
}}
'''''Human Nature''''' is an original novel written by [[Paul Cornell]], from a plot by Cornell and [[Kate Orman]], and based on the long-running British [[science fiction on television|science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. The work began as [[fan fiction]].<ref>[http://channelhopping.onthebox.com/2013/05/10/doctor-who-during-the-wilderness-years/ Doctor Who During the Wilderness Years] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501203859/http://channelhopping.onthebox.com/2013/05/10/doctor-who-during-the-wilderness-years/ |date=May 1, 2016 }}</ref>
'''''Human Nature''''' is an original novel written by [[Paul Cornell]], from a plot by Cornell and [[Kate Orman]], and based on the long-running British [[science fiction on television|science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. The work began as [[fan fiction]].<ref>[http://channelhopping.onthebox.com/2013/05/10/doctor-who-during-the-wilderness-years/ Doctor Who During the Wilderness Years] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501203859/http://channelhopping.onthebox.com/2013/05/10/doctor-who-during-the-wilderness-years/ |date=May 1, 2016 }}</ref>
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==Plot==
==Plot==
[[Bernice Summerfield]] is grieving since the death of [[Sanctuary (McIntee novel)|Guy de Carnac]] (as seen in the previous novel, ''[[Sanctuary (McIntee novel)|Sanctuary]]''). The Doctor takes her to a market on a planet called Crex in the Augon system. He quickly sets off, telling her he'll be back in an hour, and Benny finds a pub where she orders a beer and finds a group of female human drinking partners. After Benny's had several drinks with them, the Doctor arrives and places a patch on her cheek — a pad that disperses the alcohol in her system. He tells her that they need to leave immediately, and leads her back to the TARDIS. He hands her a scroll, tells her he'll see her in three months, and collapses.
[[Bernice Summerfield]] is grieving since the death of [[Sanctuary (McIntee novel)|Guy de Carnac]] (as seen in the previous novel, ''[[Sanctuary (McIntee novel)|Sanctuary]]''). The [[Seventh Doctor]] takes her to a market on a planet called Crex in the Augon system. He quickly sets off, telling her he'll be back in an hour, and Benny finds a pub where she orders a beer and finds a group of female human drinking partners. After Benny's had several drinks with them, the Doctor arrives and places a patch on her cheek — a pad that disperses the alcohol in her system. He tells her that they need to leave immediately, and leads her back to the TARDIS. He hands her a scroll, tells her he'll see her in three months, and collapses.


Meanwhile, the genesmith Laylock meets with his associates. They plan to follow the Doctor. In a long, dark room, a teenager named Tim awakens from a dream, having had a premonition that everyone will die.
Meanwhile, the genesmith Laylock meets with his associates. They plan to follow the Doctor. In a long, dark room, a teenager named Tim awakens from a dream, having had a premonition that everyone will die.
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{{Virgin New Adventures}}
{{Virgin New Adventures}}
{{Seventh Doctor stories|selected=Books}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Human Nature}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Human Nature}}
[[Category:1995 British novels]]
[[Category:1995 British novels]]
[[Category:1995 science fiction novels]]
[[Category:1995 science fiction novels]]
[[Category:British novels adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Virgin New Adventures]]
[[Category:Virgin New Adventures]]
[[Category:Novels by Paul Cornell]]
[[Category:Novels by Paul Cornell]]

Latest revision as of 11:54, 28 October 2024

For the 2007 Doctor Who episode of the same name, adapting the novel, see Human Nature (Doctor Who).

Human Nature
AuthorPaul Cornell
Cover artistBill Donohoe
SeriesDoctor Who book:
Virgin New Adventures
Release number
38
Subject
PublisherVirgin Books
Publication date
May 1995
Pages255
ISBN0-426-20443-3
Preceded bySanctuary 
Followed byOriginal Sin 

Human Nature is an original novel written by Paul Cornell, from a plot by Cornell and Kate Orman, and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The work began as fan fiction.[1]

The novel was later serialised in e-book form on the BBC Doctor Who website, but was removed from the site in 2010. A prelude to the novel, also penned by Cornell, appeared in Doctor Who Magazine #226, and was also available on the BBC website. It was later adapted for TV.

Plot

[edit]

Bernice Summerfield is grieving since the death of Guy de Carnac (as seen in the previous novel, Sanctuary). The Seventh Doctor takes her to a market on a planet called Crex in the Augon system. He quickly sets off, telling her he'll be back in an hour, and Benny finds a pub where she orders a beer and finds a group of female human drinking partners. After Benny's had several drinks with them, the Doctor arrives and places a patch on her cheek — a pad that disperses the alcohol in her system. He tells her that they need to leave immediately, and leads her back to the TARDIS. He hands her a scroll, tells her he'll see her in three months, and collapses.

Meanwhile, the genesmith Laylock meets with his associates. They plan to follow the Doctor. In a long, dark room, a teenager named Tim awakens from a dream, having had a premonition that everyone will die.

Unable to understand Benny's grief on a human level, the Doctor has purchased a device which alters his biodata, transforming him into a human named Dr John Smith. Smith lives as a history teacher at a public school in 1914 England, and falls in love with a fellow teacher named Joan. However, when alien Aubertides, hoping to acquire Time Lord abilities, attack the school, Smith sacrifices himself and becomes the Doctor once more; as the Time Lord, he is unable to love Joan in the way the human John Smith did.

Reception

[edit]

In a poll conducted by Doctor Who Magazine to mark the 35th anniversary of Doctor Who (#265, June 1998), Human Nature was voted the readership's favourite novel of the New Adventures series.

Television adaptation

[edit]

Cornell adapted his own work for a two-part story in the 2007 TV series of Doctor Who. The first episode is titled "Human Nature" and the second, "The Family of Blood".[2] The names of many of the human characters in the novel are reused for characters in the television story, which is also set in a boys' school shortly before World War I.[3] The Family of Blood have some resemblance to the descriptions of the antagonists in the novel, though they have different names and have possessed humans from the area rather than being shapeshifters.[4] Finally, the roles of the Seventh Doctor and Benny are replaced by the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones respectively.

Prelude

[edit]

Doctor Who Magazine published preludes to several New Adventures. The prelude to Human Nature appeared in issue 226. According to Cornell, he wrote his novel's plots with these preludes in mind.[5]

Sequels

[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several well-regarded episodes of the show were broadcast with live internet commentary from the writers, often paired with new content. Cornell released three interlinked short stories, The Shadow Passes,[6] Shadow of a Doubt,[7] and The Shadow in the Mirror[8] that collectively functioned as a sequel to both the novel and its television adaptation.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Doctor Who During the Wilderness Years Archived May 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Paul Cornell adapts Who novel for TV". Dreamwatch SciFi. Archived from the original on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2007.
  3. ^ Tennant, David (25 December 2006). "Jo Whiley Meets Doctor Who". The Jo Whiley Show (Interview). Interviewed by Jo Whiley. London: BBC Radio 1.
  4. ^ "Series Three Trailers: "The all-new trailer..."". BBC Online. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
  5. ^ "Paul Cornell's notes on the DWM prelude".
  6. ^ "The Shadow Passes".
  7. ^ "Shadow of a Doubt". Archived from the original on 22 December 2021.
  8. ^ "The Shadow in the Mirror". Archived from the original on 22 December 2021.
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