Novelisation
- This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: Doctor Who and the Silurians which was written by Malcolm Hulke and shown from 31 January 1970.
- The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of Chris Achilleos. (See below for information on other editions published with different covers).
- This novelisation of the only televised serial to carry a Target-style title was given a different title.
- The fact that Silurians can cry, stated here, flatly contradicts Blood Heat.
Publisher's summary
1974 edition
All is not well at the Wenley Moor underground atomic research station: there are unaccountable loses of power-output; nervous breakdowns amongst the staff; and then – a death! UNIT is called in and the Brigadier is soon joined by DOCTOR WHO and Liz Shaw in a tense and exciting adventure with subterranean reptile men – SILURIANS – and a 40ft. high Tyrannosaurus rex, the biggest, most savage mammal which ever trod the earth!
"DOCTOR WHO, the children's own programme which adults adore ..." Gerard Garrett, The Daily Sketch
Deviations from televised story
- A prologue tells of the Silurians going into hiding to avoid catastrophe.
- Each of the reptile men are given individual names and personalities.
- In the book it is Dr. Meredith who discovers the death of Quinn.
- At the end, the Brigadier only seals the Silurians in the caves, as opposed to blowing them up.
Writing and publishing notes
- As one of the early titles in the Target range, the writer was encouraged to flesh out his script for the novelisation.
- Chapter 8 titled "Into an Alien World" is written from Morka's point of view.
- The back-cover blurb on the original edition features a scientific error, as the Tyrannosaurus rex is referred to as a mammal, when in fact dinosaurs were reptiles.
Illustrations
- This title contain eleven illustrated pages by Chris Achilleos
Additional cover images
British publication history
To be added
First Publication:
- Hardback
- W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
- 25p (UK)
- 80c Australia
Re-issues:
- 70p (UK) - £1.50
1992 Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alister Pearson priced £2.99
Editions published outside Britain
Netherlands
- Published as Doctor Who en de Holenmonsters.
Finland
- Published as Tohtori Kuka Ja Luolahirviöt.
Portugal
- Published as Douter Who E Os Monstros Das Cavernas.
Japan
- Published as (transliteration): Senritsu! Chitei Monsutaa
Audiobook
This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Caroline John who played Liz Shaw.
The audio set of 4 CD's with an ISBN 1-4056-7799-6 was released in September 2007 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
See also
- The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
