BBC — The Blank Page

Backwards by Rob Grant

This is it then, my friends. The end of the road. We’ve reached the last of the Red Dwarf novels – Rob Grant’s Backwards. A second, alternative version of events that follow on from the reality bending rollercoaster that is Better Than Life.

Which, I guess, kind of makes this the Superman Returns of the Red Dwarf universe. No, hang on, that’s far too cruel a way to start this review. This is not Superman Returns, and it’s not Superman 3 either. Or, sadly, the first Superman. Very much few things out there are the first Superman movie. A lot of things might think they are, but they’re more sort of Superman 2, if you know what I mean.

In fact, let’s just steer clear of the Superman references from now on. You’re not going to find as many winners there as you’d like to think. Whereas, so far, these Red Dwarf novels have all worked for me, three out of three.

Book review, Books, Comedy, ReviewChristopher Long4 March 2023Red Dwarf, Backwards, BBC, Rob Grant, QuanderhornComment

Last Human by Doug Naylor

Dear Doug Naylor,

Hi, we’ve not met before, although I’ve given you some money over the years. Not a lot. I won’t have funded any house moves or helped you build an extension to your office, but you might’ve bought the occasional takeaway thanks to me enjoying some your licensed merchandise. The reason I’m writing to you is that I’ve recently realised I owe you an apology.

The Grant Naylor Red Dwarf Novels

I first heard about Red Dwarf in the place where you learnt about most of what was destined to become your favourite flavour of escapism – the playground. I’m pretty sure I actually started watching it when series IV came out. That was definitely my first proper series. Laughing with my friends at the thought of Lister morphing into a ridiculous mini Robocop clone, long before any of us had ever seen the regular sized Robocop. Hattie Hayridge as Holly. Kryten’s first attempts at lying and insulting people and purposefully mis-naming fruit. The Cat revealing his ultimate crush was himself. The ironic injuries of the justice field. Ace Rimmer smoking kippers. And let’s not forget the dreaded space mumps.