The Books That Are Red Dwarf

The Red Dwarf TV series is just the beginning. There have been special multi-part radio adaptations, at least four novels—two by the team of Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, the creators of Red Dwarf—and pair of other books, one by each of them after they split up.

There are currently seven of the eight series available on VHS plus their "bloopers" shows, Smeg Outs and Smeg Ups. Check this other page for some video covers.

I suggest that you visit either amazon.com (UK) or The Internet Bookshop (UK). Both allow on-line ordering with a credit card. Both get you the books in as fast as three days, but generally in a week or so. Their prices are listed in British £ (pounds Sterling) but you can compute the US costs by using this simple £ to $ calculator:

	This is the original Red Dwarf book. It starts out with the same basic premise as the first series of Red Dwarf. But it begins to subtly change the story line, bringing in new subplots. By the time you get to the end, you have entered an entirely new Red Dwarf story with new characters and locations. Don't assume that these books are just novelizations of the shows...they are much more. <-- The UK Cover The US Cover -->
	We who have watched the TV series know Better Than Life to be an addictive interactive game. A deadly addictive interactive game. But this book probes far beyond what could have been shown in the series. This takes us deep into the individual stories and psyches if Lister, Rimmer, Kryten and the Cat as they use BTL to satisfy their individual dreams.   <-- The UK Cover The US Cover -->
	These are the two books written by the creators of Red Dwarf, after they split up as a writing team. Both are very clever and well written. Last Human came out first, but they could be read in any order. While you will find elements from the later series shows, these are almost completely new stories. If it helps, you might think that these stories take place between the major TV series. Both are available right now.

All four of the books have been recorded as audio books. Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers and Better Than Life were recorded as abridged sets and as unabridged sets by Chris Barrie. He does a masterful job impersonating all of the characters.

Last Human was recorded unabridged (and perhaps abridged, but I don't have that one) by Craig Charles. He, too, is a master at impersonation. His Dave Lister will almost make you think he was Dave Lister. Amazing.

Rob Grant reads his own Backwards. He also reads the characters in their own voices. Although he is not as skilled a mimic, he comes close enough to bring the story alive.

All covers are and remain the copyright of the artist or artists who originally gave them life. Unless, that is, some publisher paid them a few pounds more to buy the rights away. I have not obtained permission to replicate them, but hope that these fine individuals and international conglomerates recognize that I am just trying to help promote interest (and sales) in their books