Slipback was a novelisation based on the 1985 radio drama Slipback. It was the first novelisation of a Doctor Who story that had not been produced for television.
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 novelisation, though "ears" may have been a deliberate allusion to Peri was hearing rather than reading the title.
- The steward, named as Vesper, kills Slarn before he can release his virus, then incinerates both of them to destroy the infection.
- The computer's external personality orders the crew to evacuate the ship before sending it back in time.
Writing and publishing notes[]
to be added
Additional cover images[]
British publication history[]
to be added
First Publication:
- Hardback
- W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
- Paperback
- Target
Re-issues:
- None
External links[]
- The Cloister Library: Slipback
- On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal
