Doctor Who and the State of Decay (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW):  State of Decay  which was written by Terrance Dicks and shown from 22nd November 1980.
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter. (See below for information on other UK and international editions published with different covers).

Publisher's summary
The Doctor, Romana and K9 – and a young stowaway called Adric – are trapped in the alternative universe of E-Space. Seeking help, they land on an unknown planet – and find a nightmare world where oppressed peasants toil for the Lords who live in the Tower, and where all learning is forbidden – a society in a state of decay. What is the terrifying secret of the Three Who Rule? What monstrous creature stirs beneath the Tower, waking from its thousand-year sleep? The Doctor discovers that the oldest and deadliest enemy of the Time Lords is about to spring into horrifying action.

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * Two unused cover sketches by Steve Kyte were submitted for this title before Andrew Skilleter’s cover was used.

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:

Editions published outside Britain
To be added

Audio book
In June 1981, Pickwick released an abridged audio book version of the novel read by Tom Baker. It has the distinction of being the first Target novelisation to be adapted for audio, and the only official release of its kind to not be issued by BBC Audio. A reissue on the Ditto label occurred in 1985. The next official audio book of a Target novelisation would not be issued until the mid-1990s. Unabridged readings would not begin to appear until the mid-2000s.