Slipback (novelisation)
The novelisation, based on the original BBC Radio drama Slipback, which was written by Eric Saward and aired in 1985, was the first novelisation of a Doctor Who story that had not been produced for television. It featured the cover artwork by Paul Mark Tams.
Publisher's summary
The TARDIS materialises on board the Vipod Mor, a galactic survey ship captained by the repulsive Orlous Moston Slarn.
Things are not going too well on board the spacecraft: a mysterious killer stalks the ship's infrastructure; a junior officer, whose body is four years older than his brain, commands its bridge; the craft's computer seems to be developing its own distinctive personality; and Slarn threatens to vent his vindictive anger on his crew.
Soon the Doctor and Peri stumble upon a shocking secret, a secret upon which depends the fate of the entire Universe...
The novelisation of the Radio 4 Doctor Who story.
Deviations from broadcast story
- The first 50 pages of the novel do not feature the Doctor or Peri and do not adapt the radio play; instead they provide backstory on the characters and circumstances encountered by the Doctor later.
- In the radio play, when the Doctor tells Peri he's about to recite his favourite sonnet, "Ode to a Flashist Mud Scavenger", Peri replies that this inspiring title "brings tears to my ears"! This is changed to "eyes" in the novelization even though "ears" was correct given that Peri was hearing, not reading, the poem.
Writing and publishing notes
to be added
Additional cover images
to be added
British publication history
to be added
First Publication:
- Hardback
- W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Re-issues:
- None
Other radio plays adapted as novels
External links
- The Cloister Library: Slipback
- On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal
