#book theme

For Instance Amy’s Novel 

When we meet Clara in series seven, we are reminded by this little scene that Amy, too, has become a story now. And of all chapters in her story, chapter “eleven is the best, you’ll cry your eyes out”, as Clara puts it. 

Indeed, Moff, indeed. 

Or Clara’s Mum’s Book

“101 Places To See” is the title of the book that Clara carries around, because it used to be her mum’s. The memory of her mum is a travel guide through Clara’s life. I love that little detail. 

Then There Is This Little Moment

There is that sweet little reference to River Song when Clara pulls the book “The Time Traveller’s Wife” out of one of the shelves in the TARDIS. 

And Melody Malone’s Book

This we definitely don’t talk about enough! With the departure of Amy and Rory, this is also the end of Melody Pond. They were the ones who called her "Melody”, and without them, that part of River has become a story, the last chapter of which is the farewell of her parents. 

I also have to point out the surname here: According to various sources, the name “Malone” means “descendant/servant of Saint John”, which in itself is a reference to the little “St. John Ambulance” badge on the TARDIS doors. 

The story of Melody Malone is not the story of Melody - kidnapped and raised by the Silence; the story of Melody Malone is the story of Melody - child of the TARDIS.

And, Obviously, River’s Diary

Personally, I think River’s diary does not so much represent River, as it represents the Doctor. Her Doctor. Which is why the diary is empty in The Big Bang, when the Doctor is stuck on the other side of reality.

And when in Let’s Kill Hitler, the Doctor gifts her with a brand-new diary, he is basically saying: I was no one important until now. My life so far has not been worth telling, because my story begins with River Song.  

And now the Doctor is constantly facing the question of who he is, and he is clinging to River’s diary like a security blanket. Whatever he is or whoever he is, being her Doctor is what matters. Her Doctor is the man he wants to be and that is the version he clings to, even when he is blind and cannot read a single line of their story.