The first lesson Lister learned about space travel was you should never try it. But Lister didn't have a choice. All he remembered was going on a b...
read full description
reviews
May 25, 2011
Tanner
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 11, 2010
Crystal Starr Light
rated it: 
After taking a Lit of Sci-Fi class in college, I found about this TV Series. So I checked them out from the library thinking, "Oh, great. They'll probably be boring and stupid."
Was I wrong! The series was great, and my sister and I became mild fans. So, when I discovered that there were books and found them on sale, I snatched them up.
Plot:
David Lister, third technician on Red Dwarf, a 6 mile long space mining ship, is sent to stasis just in time to avoid a radiatio More...
Was I wrong! The series was great, and my sister and I became mild fans. So, when I discovered that there were books and found them on sale, I snatched them up.
Plot:
David Lister, third technician on Red Dwarf, a 6 mile long space mining ship, is sent to stasis just in time to avoid a radiatio More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 18, 2011
Chris
rated it: 
Couldn't stop laughing out loud. Sad really.
From Amazon:
Lister is a simple man just trying to get by in life, wishing for nothing more than a basic, happy family existence such as that of George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life. Rimmer's inferiority complex and stubbornness are unmatched.. His failings and pessimism are comically ridiculous yet somehow plausible, and one can't help pitying a man who fails in life, in death, and even in his own fantasies. I have not seen the Red Dwarf se More...
From Amazon:
Lister is a simple man just trying to get by in life, wishing for nothing more than a basic, happy family existence such as that of George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life. Rimmer's inferiority complex and stubbornness are unmatched.. His failings and pessimism are comically ridiculous yet somehow plausible, and one can't help pitying a man who fails in life, in death, and even in his own fantasies. I have not seen the Red Dwarf se More...
May 11, 2011
Jeremy
rated it:
Red Dwarf is perhaps one of my most favorite comedies. Not just because it's funny, but because it looks at life in the Future as pretty much like it is now. There are slobs, cheaters, jerks, etc now, and there will be in the future. Unlike the idealized future of Star Trek, Red Dwarf comforts us with the knowledge that people don't change, they just get different toys.
This book was a bit confusing at first, but soon became the back story for which I had hoped. Instead of an idi More...
This book was a bit confusing at first, but soon became the back story for which I had hoped. Instead of an idi More...
Mar 30, 2011
Sean
rated it:
I've been seeing this book in stores for years, but I never bothered picking it up, figuring Red Dwarf is best in thirty minute bites and can't sustain an extended storyline. But Audible had this on sale recently, and it is read by Chris Barrie, so I decided to give it a shot.
Storywise, the book is a mash-up of several episodes across the series' first two seasons, along with a significant portion of new material at the beginning. This new stuff, detailing how Lister joined the RD's More...
Storywise, the book is a mash-up of several episodes across the series' first two seasons, along with a significant portion of new material at the beginning. This new stuff, detailing how Lister joined the RD's More...
Jan 10, 2011
Bibliotropic
rated it:
As a long-time fan of the show, I couldn't pass up the chance to read the novel that started it all. The problem with being a fan of the show first is finding a way to comment on the book as a standalone thing, not in comparison to the TV series that came after it. It's hard to draw the line at knowing how much I enjoyed the book for its own sake and how much I enjoyed it because it took me back to the days of watching British comedy on YTV at night.
On one hand, the humour in the boo More...
On one hand, the humour in the boo More...
Aug 01, 2011
Steve
rated it:
By taking all of the best bits from the first couple of series of the TV show, tweaking them slightly and adding some new storylines – some of which were then incorporated into the later TV shows – Rob Grant and Doug Naylor have provided a very funny book. The first few series were not as good as the later series, and one of the reasons was that the sets and costumes were this dreary grey colour. This book proves what I’ve always said is true; books are so much better than TV programmes and film
More...
Jul 22, 2011
Josh
rated it:
Picked this up a while back but wasn't inspired to read it until I'd seen a few seasons of the show. Like the show, the book is absolutely hilarious (in fact, it covers several of the same plotlines). It's worthy of comparison to Douglas Adams. A quick read and recommended for any fans of Adams.
That said, there's not much here that adds to the experience of watching the show itself. The book covers various bits from the first two series. Though not exhaustively, and it certainly adds More...
That said, there's not much here that adds to the experience of watching the show itself. The book covers various bits from the first two series. Though not exhaustively, and it certainly adds More...
Jul 25, 2011
Nabilla
rated it:
I was in a pub one night with some friends and for some reason we started singing the Red Dwarf theme tune. Many in the pub joined in and I have never seen air keyboard played so enthusiastically. The reason was summed up by afterwards by my friend, "In Britain you are never more than 10 meters away from a Red Dwarf fan". My amended version of this is, "In Britain you are never more than 10 meters away from someone with fond memories of watching Red Dwarf".
This bo More...
This bo More...
Oct 05, 2011
Zorena
rated it:
This is a lot like the television show episodes in book format so of course I love it! I've been a fan of the show since it started and was gleeful when I found there were actually novels! It tells the tale of the Red Dwarf crew from the start. It includes a lot of what was in the first two series as well as a ton of details that you wouldn't know if that was your only source. Then it throws in whole new story lines and tangents. Lister's back story of how he ended up on Red Dwarf was something
More...
Jul 28, 2011
Jane
rated it:
I went into reading this with an open mind and basically not wanting to get my hopes up having been a huge fan of the series for so long! Must say it was blinding... very funny in a lot of places and it had the decency to fill in some gaps along the way!
In this book discover how Lister came to be on Red Dwarf and relive memorable events from the first two series' (although mainly the first) retold in a more concise way for the purposes of the book but not losing any of that twang that makes it More...
In this book discover how Lister came to be on Red Dwarf and relive memorable events from the first two series' (although mainly the first) retold in a more concise way for the purposes of the book but not losing any of that twang that makes it More...
Jun 24, 2009
Stonemagpie
rated it:
Fan-smegging-tastic! It's the boys from the Dwarf! I loved this book so much, and if you enjoyed the tv show you will too.
Rob Grant and Doug Naylor outdid themselves; this was the first book in years that has made me laugh out loud. It starts off explaining how Lister ended up on Red Dwarf and takes off from there.
Some of the plot is familiar, some is new. But the authors managed to gather together storylines from episodes into a whole that not only makes sense, but fills More...
Rob Grant and Doug Naylor outdid themselves; this was the first book in years that has made me laugh out loud. It starts off explaining how Lister ended up on Red Dwarf and takes off from there.
Some of the plot is familiar, some is new. But the authors managed to gather together storylines from episodes into a whole that not only makes sense, but fills More...
Dec 28, 2009
Gary
rated it:
This is one of the best books I have read in quite a while. After watching a lot of Red Dwarf over the holiday season, I decided to purchase this book. And I wasn't disappointed.
Set in a slightly alternate reality, the book goes into more depth of how Lister, Rimmer and the rest of the crew ended up on the Jupiter Mining Corp ship Red Dwarf. As well as the events that led to the catastrophic failure that left Dave Lister the last surviving human being.
The book is well wri More...
Set in a slightly alternate reality, the book goes into more depth of how Lister, Rimmer and the rest of the crew ended up on the Jupiter Mining Corp ship Red Dwarf. As well as the events that led to the catastrophic failure that left Dave Lister the last surviving human being.
The book is well wri More...
Jun 20, 2011
Gina
rated it:
This reminds me of all those movie adaptation novels I used to buy from Scholastic book orders and read over and over again. My Girl 2 was a special favorite of mine. That Austin O'Brien was so cute.
This book was built from bits of the first and second season of Red Dwarf, with some of the dialogue copied verbatim, and some things changed or rearranged (but I don't think continuity was ever really stressed over in Red Dwarf). The book was very enjoyable, but I don't think I'd reco More...
This book was built from bits of the first and second season of Red Dwarf, with some of the dialogue copied verbatim, and some things changed or rearranged (but I don't think continuity was ever really stressed over in Red Dwarf). The book was very enjoyable, but I don't think I'd reco More...
Oct 18, 2011
Iain
rated it:
This is a real nostalgic pleasure for me, being the novel based around my favourite tv show from my teenage years. It provides more backstory than the tv show ever did, and then is buit on the ideas from two or three of the earlier episodes. The authors seem to be heavily influenced by Douglas Adams - while they are not of the same standard, the book moves along at a good clip with plenty of witty gags and nice turns of phrase. It's just a shame that after two books, they split up and each wrote
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 28, 2009
Lori
rated it:
I'm a huge fan of the series... and definitely a huge fan of it in book form. Rob Grant and Doug Naylor definitely were successful in transferring the dry wit and sarcastic humor of the show Red Dwarf to the series of books. I've read this book a gajillion times and I know I will read it again. I'm also such a huge geek I own the audio version (actually the best is the "Radio Show" audio version -- effing brilliant) and I listen to it far too frequently. It's still funny. Dare I use th
More...
Oct 26, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
I loved this book and I never read Science fiction (never is obviously an exaggeration but i do try to avoid it) So why did I read this one?
Because it was funny. Laugh out loud, don't read in a public place funny. As all great funny stories go, the plot doesn't actually sound funny. Through a strange series of events in which Lister is mostly drunk he somehow manages to become the last human alive. Wow, funny right? Cause we all know a lone human can have heaps of fun... Well actual More...
Because it was funny. Laugh out loud, don't read in a public place funny. As all great funny stories go, the plot doesn't actually sound funny. Through a strange series of events in which Lister is mostly drunk he somehow manages to become the last human alive. Wow, funny right? Cause we all know a lone human can have heaps of fun... Well actual More...
Nov 08, 2009
Molly
rated it:
I'm probably biased, but I think this is an ace book. I can't believe I haven't read it since high school. "Red Dwarf" (along with Monty Python) was an integral part of my formative years, and was probably at least partly responsible for the distinctly British shape my sense of humour subsequently took. I still have a huge soft spot for the TV show, but in a lot of ways, the book is even better. Plots that are confined to half-hour episodes are here expanded upon, with more detail,
More...
Jan 15, 2008
Art
rated it:
I love the word "Absurd". Miriam Webster defines it as ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous. Something that has no rational or orderly relationship to human life, something meaningless, or lacking order or value. As in, an absurd existence.
The absurd plays a key part in the philosophy of Zen Buddhism. Zen is about the now. It is about divesting youself of your self by pushing your thinking to the limits of the absurd. Everythign is absurd, everything is nothin More...
The absurd plays a key part in the philosophy of Zen Buddhism. Zen is about the now. It is about divesting youself of your self by pushing your thinking to the limits of the absurd. Everythign is absurd, everything is nothin More...
Jul 20, 2010
Jonathan
rated it:
I have listened to the unabridged version of this read by Chris Barrie (Rimmer) a number of times and thoroughly recommend this to any Red Dwarf fans. The story essentially expands some of the earlier episodes with a lot more detail.
Jonathan Culverhouse. Author of Underkingdom: Disco Goblins vs The Machine, a fantasy novel for children.
www.underkingdom.co.uk
Jonathan Culverhouse. Author of Underkingdom: Disco Goblins vs The Machine, a fantasy novel for children.
www.underkingdom.co.uk
Mar 22, 2010
Sharil
rated it:
I read this book more than 10 years ago( the first time). I find the humor relaxing after an intense day. I don't know for certain if the writing is so grand that it's easy to picture- or if I'm adding the book to my memory of Chris Barrie's narration in the audiobook- or if the BBC series is mashed up with my opinion of this. Anyway I'll probably read it again and keep quoting passages from it to my workmates.
May 07, 2008
Clare
rated it:
It doesn't get any better than humourous British sci-fi. If you liked the TV series, you'll like the books. Lister had been on the crew of a spacecraft, but was put into a frozen state for an infraction of the rules. While frozen, the ship suffered a terrible catastrophe and all other crew members met their demise. After many centuries, the ship's computer decides it is safe to unfreeze Lister. When Lister realizes what has happened, he must deal with the new circumstances in which he finds
More...
Nov 13, 2007
Jack
rated it:
This is a highly enjoyable read from the warped minds of Rob Grant and Doug Naylor. I first read this book when I was 13 and now that I'm older I appreciate it a whole lot more (I finally get some of those dirty jokes)
This book has common themes and events of the original series but it is not a novelisation. Red Dwarf fans will quickly notice the use of jokes and diologue from the TV show, I found had mixed feelings about this. Although the jokes are funny and give you a warm sense o More...
This book has common themes and events of the original series but it is not a novelisation. Red Dwarf fans will quickly notice the use of jokes and diologue from the TV show, I found had mixed feelings about this. Although the jokes are funny and give you a warm sense o More...
Feb 07, 2011
Crispin
rated it:
A very very funny book. Totally love this book, set near a place i live which just makes it even better. There arent many books that make me burst out laughing wherever im reading but this is one. (Read this during a lecture once and burst out laughing so much i had to put it away due to dirty looks). It's a very good book, go read it!
Aug 06, 2009
Arthur
rated it:
This book is laugh out loud funny. I've been chuckling and laughing all night since I started reading it. I happened to come across it when I was reading a thread about another space themed funnybook, and decided to give it a try. Give it a whirl if you like Mike Resnick's Widowmaker series (i've been trying to find something similar for a long time).
Aug 17, 2009
Iain
rated it:
Okay, a bit geeky but so what? First read this book when I was about 12 years old. Liked it then even although I didn't fully 'get' it. Loved the BBC series. Reckon I must have read this a dozen times and enjoy it every time. Treat it for what it is - a bit of a piss-take of Star Trek etc. Smegging great.
May 11, 2009
I had remembered this book as eminently forgettable. I didn't think I got anything from it that wasn't on the telly. Having recently reread it, I realize I was wrong: it's horrid. The tv show was much better--which is odd, since Grant Naylor was one of the functionaries on the show. Go figure...
Oct 12, 2008
Mitchell
rated it:
This is a cute, silly science fiction novel that covers a lot of the same ground as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: it contains snarky robots, incompetent computers, weird experiments with interstellar travel, and the near-total extinction of the human race (no aliens, though). The story is pretty choppy and doesn't quite go anywhere, but a lot of the individual characters and situations are pretty clever. It's a quick, fun read, recommended especially for those who miss Douglas Adams's mo
More...
Oct 21, 2011
Jim
rated it:
Probably more like 3.5 stars. A fun, harmless space romp with a few humans, robots, holographic beings, anthropomorphised animals, and faster-than-light travel. The usual stuff, but all mixed with an odd sense of humor.
I cannot say I was cheering for the hero, or was grossly involved with the story, but a pretty good easy read.
I cannot say I was cheering for the hero, or was grossly involved with the story, but a pretty good easy read.
Nov 10, 2010
Thx1138
rated it:
..big fan of the TV series ...watched the first 7 seasons..not even sure if they had more. Funny characters and plots...anything can and usually does..the books I read after season 1/2 then I did not watch the rest until I downloaded them a couple of years ago..still funny.
