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Backwards

(Red Dwarf #4)

Rob Grant

3.97 · Rating details · 9,411 ratings · 100 reviews

This is the third adventure of the unlikely space heroes of the cult TV hit Red Dwarf – Lister, Rimmer, Kryten, Holly and the Cat – as they continue their epic journey through frontal-lobe-knotting realities. We join them just as Dave Lister has finally found his way back to planet Earth – which is good. What’s bad, however, is that time isn’t running in quite the right di ...more

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Paperback, 342 pages

Published by Penguin Books (first published February 5th 1996)

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Apr 18, 2016 David Sarkies rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fi

Life in Reverse
23 April 2016

So, at the end of Better Than Life we leave Lister trapped in a universe in which time goes in reverse, namely because he had become so old (due to being caught up in a temporal distortion caused by a black hole) that when they encountered the polymorph he had literally been scared to death (or something like that – I'm not quite sure even though it was about a month ago that I actually read the book). Anyway, in an effort to save his life they take his body to an al Life in Reverse
23 April 2016

So, at the end of Better Than Life we leave Lister trapped in a universe in which time goes in reverse, namely because he had become so old (due to being caught up in a temporal distortion caused by a black hole) that when they encountered the polymorph he had literally been scared to death (or something like that – I'm not quite sure even though it was about a month ago that I actually read the book). Anyway, in an effort to save his life they take his body to an alternate universe, in which time runs backwards (as I have mentioned), with the intention of picking him up again when he is much younger. I must admit that that is a pretty interesting way of saving one's life, especially when onehas aged a lot quicker to those around them, thanks to the local black hole (though this is all speculation since nobody has actually tested it out – it's based on some guy's, possibly Einstein's, mathematical modeling).

In the previous book it was suggested that life makes no sense to us because our timeline travels in the wrong direction, which means that we find ourselves travelling into the future, namely from birth to death. While hindsight is 20/20, our vision of the future is basically non-existent (though we do have a habit of making speculative assumptions, and once again resorting to mathematical models). Mind you, the fact that the future is unknown gives way for some very profitable industries, form your average circus fortune teller, to the gambling industry, to investment banks like Goldmen Sachs (and isn't all they are doing is making bets based upon statistical probabilities?). However, if we travel backwards it sort of works a little different, we know where we are going, it is just that we progressively forget where we have been.

Okay, I know, this is a Red Dwarf book, so it isn't meant to be taken seriously, but in reality we really don't know if these people in this backwards universe actually realise that their universe is travelling in the opposite direction to our own, and the funny thing is that Lister, who is living through this backwards universe with a forward looking mindset, sort of knows the future, but is mystified by the past (though of course he could always pick up a history book). It's sort of like having an accent – you notice everybody's but your own.

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with this addition to the Red Dwarf series – for some reason it didn't seem to work as well as the previous two books. I guess it had something to do with the episodes not being some of my favourite. Also it is a lot less episodic than the previous two books, so while Grant is making the story flow better, it sort of doesn't work as well. For instance Grant spent way too much time on developing Ace's character (the alternate Rimmer for those who don't know, who is much more daring, sophisticate, and loved), to the point that it started to get somewhat dry. So to were the four horsemen of the apocalypse part. While I understand that he wanted to create a but of a mystery in the lead up to the story, it didn't seem to really work all that well.

As for Rimmer, I don't know whether to feel sorry for the guy or not. I guess that is what the character is trying to do though. By blaming everybody else for his shortcomings, and also regularly fails, I sort of feel that maybe the guy should get a bit of a break. Mind you, the fact is that he does blame everybody, and refuses to admit that he is wrong. Still, there are a lot of people out there that are pretty smart that seem to be forever condemned to mediocrity, and they actually aren't like Rimmer because they don't complain about it. Okay, they might not be content, but the sad thing is that where one is born to a wealthy family, is sent to a good school, and inherits the family business (and is a thick as a brick), there is another that is basically lands up, though no fault o their own, on the wrong side of the tracks. The difference is how they learned to roll with it. It is clear that Rimmer's mother isn't a very nice person, and even when Ace succeeds she doesn't show a huge amount of emotion. It is just that Rimmer is trying too hard to impress her, and failing miserably, particularly since he is never going to get an “I'm proud of you” from her.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Jason rated it it was amazing

I am am huge fan of Red Dwarf, one of the best sci-fi series ever made and backwards is one of my favourite episodes. I was really pleased when Rob Grant decided to make this episode into a book. Reading the book was like reliving the episode but it was an extended version, everything from the episode is there and there was more new stuff. One of my favourite Red Dwarf scenes was The Cat doing a backwards poo. :)

If you've never watched Red Dwarf, it doesn't matter, read this book anyway as it is ...more

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Jan 05, 2010 Morgan Murray rated it really liked it

This is Rob Grant's unadorned vision for Red Dwarf, as opposed to his collaborative view with Doug Naylor. Backwards follows Lister's journey to a planet going back in time, another encounter with Ace Rimmer and a tangle with some simulants - all of which have been covered in some way by the TV show.

Grant's description of Red Dwarf is a little darker than that found in the TV show, with more rounded characters. The Cat barely gets a look in, as Lister and Kryten dominate the book - the book's fu ...more

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Apr 29, 2020 Evans Light added it

Shelves: cheap-from-used-bookstore, have-it, science-fiction, humor

DNF. Loved the first two Red Dwarf books, but couldn't get into this at all. ...more

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Apr 08, 2012 John Kirk rated it really liked it

Although this book was published after Last Human, I think of it as the third novel in the series, because it follows so closely from Better Than Life. Also, it seems fairly clear to me that Rob Grant brought most of the talent to the "Grant Naylor" gestalt.

This novel introduces some completely new ideas, as well as tying together several episodes from the TV series. (view spoiler) ...more

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Oct 01, 2011 Sandi (Zorena) rated it liked it

Shelves: humor, science-fiction

I'm sorry to say that this one did not have an audio version read by Chris Barrie so I stuck with the written edition. Maybe it was the lack of Chris or maybe that Grant does need Naylor to balance him but I wasn't as happy with this outing.

I don't think I minded that there were less laughs and some of the humour was darker. What I did mind was that living backwards just couldn't sustain the concept for an entire book. I still laughed and enjoyed it but just not near as much as the first two. I ...more

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Mar 13, 2018 Christopher rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook-generic

I really loved the concept of writing a world that existed backwards. The writing was very clever and extremely fun. I felt that the story flagged a little when they escaped but the inclusion of "Ace" was interesting, and the epilogue really helped flesh the character out. Made me think of the little decisions I've made over the years to get me to where I am now and wonder which ones I could (or should) have avoided to be a better person.

The story was kind of dull around the whole killbot scenar ...more

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Mar 29, 2020 Paul Dobson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

If you thought the episode was good, let me assure you the novel is right there with it. More backstory, and all the character panache from Rob Grant. As far as sci-fi comedy goes, this is gold. Don't miss the other Red Dwarf novels as well! ...more

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Oct 12, 2013 Liz rated it it was amazing

Huge shame that they had to split. Though still a good read, 'Backwards' just doesn't have the same finesse in its narrative and characters that the first two Red Dwarf books did. It is very interesting to see, after reading this and then the subsequent novel, 'The Last Human', just how different Grant and Naylor's writing styles are. It makes it all the more impressive that they managed to co-write two books in which you could not spot any differences in writing style or lack of cohesion in the ...more

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Dec 29, 2013 Jane rated it it was ok

This was a disappointing read for me in comparison to the other Red Dwarf books. The core of the book is based across three well known episodes... episodes that happen to be three of my favourites. They are joint together in an interesting way but for me it just heavily diluted three sterling episodes into something only so-so.

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Dec 06, 2018 Abi rated it liked it

I'm so sad that I finished this ...more

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Apr 25, 2019 Felix Foote rated it liked it

This book isn't perfect, but I enjoyed reading it. Rob Grant's writing is as detailed and talented as ever, and this book is based on a few great episodes of a great television show. I suppose my major complaints about it are more personal than anything. While I admire how Rob Grant chooses to go beyond the details set by the original television show and change the story, I found myself loving some changes, but not appreciating others. For instance, we spend a lot more time in the Backwards univ This book isn't perfect, but I enjoyed reading it. Rob Grant's writing is as detailed and talented as ever, and this book is based on a few great episodes of a great television show. I suppose my major complaints about it are more personal than anything. While I admire how Rob Grant chooses to go beyond the details set by the original television show and change the story, I found myself loving some changes, but not appreciating others. For instance, we spend a lot more time in the Backwards universe than the show does. While it's an interesting location, I found myself frustrated. Without spoiling the plot, the specific changes for that part didn't appeal to my interests, and because I knew the characters would leave that universe eventually, I kept waiting for it to be over.

Another example is the excruciating detail of pain. This book is a lot more violent than the show was, and it's easy to see why. The television show, while never shying away from violence and dark humor, was still a goofy sitcom, and had to have everything wrap up nicely at the end of thirty minutes. This book, however, goes to a lot darker places, and puts these characters through even more hell than the show does. At one point, I even started to feel physically sick at something horrible that happens to Lister. (Well, I think it was something else. I blacked out for two minutes after a sudden stomachache and moaned/hyperventilated until I could take a nap. But I never found out what caused it and it happened right as I was reading that part of the book, so.... who knows?) While it was sometimes nice to have higher stakes, I would've liked the book to feel less like torture porn.

My last major criticism is about how the book uses one of my favorite characters, Ace Rimmer.... but I can't discuss it without spoilers. The most I can say is that while we get some fantastic chapters in his original universe, the way he leaves the crew is sudden and disappointing. He does get a lovely epilogue, though. Still, it made me sad to think about how much better his exit was in the show, at least from the point of view of an audience member who only wants the best for him.

I'll end this review with something I loved about the book- its cliffhangers. I know I'm only giving it three stars, but I couldn't put this thing down. Rob Grant ends practically every chapter with something that makes you ACHE to know what happens next.

Overall, if you like the show and don't mind seeing these characters in even more gruesome situations, give Backwards a try. Alternate universes may not turn out exactly like you want them to, but you'll definitely have an interesting time in them. ...more

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Feb 18, 2019 Tom Sadira rated it really liked it

This one had all the great Red Dwarf stuff: Lister and the gang, absurd dimensions that defy reason, plenty of action (not always forward in time, which was a triiiiip), and sadistic-murderous-insane robots.

Act One was great, even if it forced me to bend my mind to think backwards (how's that for titularity, dude?!) For example, characters would regurgitate bites of their food until their lunch was reassembled on their plates, then hand it off to a waiter and collect a fee. Other mundane activi ...more

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Jan 27, 2018 Christa Riley rated it liked it

So, I definitely consider this the third and final instalment in the Red Dwarf trilogy. It's not my favourite of the three but, of course, I still found it fantastic! I loved the elements of the show as well as the new plot points, like the agonoids and the detail into Ace's background.
There were some problems I had with it, like the fact that it wasn't all as connected as the previous two in terms of plot. For example, the 'Gunmen of the Apocalypse' plotline was definitely forced in there towar ...more

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Sep 13, 2019 Nimishg rated it it was ok

This book is an alternate continuation to "Better than Life" (the other continuation being "Last Human"). About the first 1/3 of the book takes place exclusively in the Backwards universe, and that part, I have to admit, is amazing. Grant does a great job of reverse-engineering all the events and putting the characters in interesting positions throughout that bit.

The rest of the book feels a bit weird... as though Grant is trying to set up surprizes for the reader that aren't surprizes at all if ...more

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May 26, 2018 Lily rated it it was amazing

When people ask me for book recommendations, this is always my go-to.

No kidding, I was in tears from laughing while reading this book. It is absolutely hilarious and a must read for any Red Dwarf fan.

Some of the funniest moments in the series were taken from these pages and being able to read certain character's thoughts and reactions to the events unfolding is an added bonus.

Red Dwarf: Backwards, in my honest opinion, is hands down the best of the Red Dwarf books and the smegging funniest book ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 Martha Ginny rated it liked it

Shelves: scifi

This felt a little more all-over-the-place than the other Red Dwarf novelisations that I've read - I think partly because it felt like there was SO MUCH to fit in (Backwards AND Dimension Jump AND Gunmen, plus snippets of others) but I could read about my idiot boys just having a nap and I'd still have a load of fun, so I'm still happy either way, and I really enjoyed it. I especially liked the flashbacks to Rimmer's childhood, but that's because I'm predictable as hell.

Special mention to the li ...more

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Nov 01, 2020 James A rated it really liked it

Great book if you're already a Red Dwarf fan. Not sure how much it would appeal otherwise, as it's largely a mix of stories from the series, albeit the 'backwards' world dominates for quite a while and leads logically into the other stories. It helped that I was familiar with the characters, especially as I haven't read the other books in the series and this was, I think, number 3. Possibly it's best - if you have no previous knowledge of the series/characters - to read the other books first.

It ...more

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Aug 11, 2018 Gary E rated it really liked it

Well this one took me a while to finish but that does not mean it was not enjoyable.

It is just as fun as the previous books in the series.

It really is great to read these far more detailed stories (as opposed to watching the TV episode(s) that the story became). We get a lot more insight into the characters and their back stories. Even if you are not a fan of the show these books are still good sci-fi and are worth reading.

If you are a fan of the show these are really must reads!

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Jun 19, 2019 Thomas Cullen rated it liked it

Shelves: 2019

I was a bit skeptical about this book. Backwards has always been one of my least favourite episodes of Red Dwarf but I thoroughly enjoyed "better than life" so thought, what the smeg.

The shenanigans the Red Dwarf crew find themselves in throughout this book are hilarious; I loved the appearance of Ace Rimmer, the deranged aganoids and a larger focus on Lister. There was a bit too much slapstick comedy in places at times but I can let that slide. Overall, a pretty good follow on. ...more

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Oct 09, 2020 Oliver rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 16, 2017 Colleen Lawrence rated it it was amazing

Another enjoyable adventure with the boys from the Dwarf. It's interesting to see the difference in writing styles between Doug Naylor and Rob Grant, who wrote the first two books together before writing a their own sequel each. It's a little sad that there aren't any books to read, but at least there is more of the TV show being made. ...more

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Dec 07, 2018 Billycongo rated it really liked it

Shelves: british, fiction, science-fiction, humour

Despite what the title says, it's the 3rd Red Dwarf book. The continuity of the last book to this book is much better.

The main story is taken from an episode of the TV Show and expanded. In this case they do a great job. They bring back 'Ace' Rimmer, and the gelfs, and it's quite enjoyable. I'd say that this is the best of the books, because I've already read Red Dwarf #4, 'The Last Human'. ...more

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Mar 31, 2019 Valentine rated it really liked it

I listened to the audiobook before I was able to sit down and read it for myself, and I had no idea how much had been cut (well, a chap and then the whole Gunmen part, but it's quite a lot), so that was nice to be able to read. I loved the stuff we got to see of Ace, and the stuff with baby Rimmer was just a really pleasant way to end the book. ...more

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Sep 08, 2017 Igor rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 06, 2019 Robin rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books

I think these books are marked slightly out of order. This is (should be) the third title in the series then followed by Last Human. In my opinion, this was the weakest of the 4 books and doesn't contribute much to the book series overall. ...more

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Jun 18, 2018 C. Bella rated it it was amazing

This book is excellent,terrific and i love this book.

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Jul 27, 2018 Charles Cascio rated it it was amazing

Darker than the TV series and just as true in their own right.

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Aug 28, 2018 5y1v4r rated it liked it

Only 3 stars because oh god was the first part on the backwards world hard to read. Once they get back into a normal time stream it settles back into a similar amusing sci fi romp as the first book.

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