Doctor Who and the Creature from the Pit (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW):  The Creature from the Pit  which was shown from 27th October 1979 and written by David Fisher
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Brian Dennington. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).
 * Beginning with this release and continuing for the remainder of the novelisation series there was a concerted effort made by Target Books to commission the original teleplay writers to also novelise their own scripts whenever possible (with Terrance Dicks serving as a backup writer if this wasn't possible). Although Fisher was a recent contributor to the series, this notion would later extend to include writers of episodes dating back to the 1960s.

Publisher's summary
The planet Chloris is very fertile, but metal is in short supply, and has therefore become extremely valuable. A huge creature, with most unusual physical properties, arrives from an alien planet which can provide Chloris with metal from its own unlimited supplies, in exchange for chlorophyll. However, the ruthless Lady Adrasta has been able to exploit the shortages of metal to her own advantage, and has no wish to see the situation change. The Doctor and Romana land on Chloris just as the creature’s alien masters begin to lose patience over their ambassador’s long absence. The action the aliens decide to take will have devastating consequences for Chloris, unless something is done to prevent it...

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

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:

Audio Release
This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by BBC Audio Books and read by Tom Baker who played the Fourth Doctor. The audio set of 4 CD's with an ISBN 1-405-? was released in April 2008 priced £13.99 (UK) The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power

External Sources

 * The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
 * On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal