I'm a big fan of the Red Dwarf TV show but I'd never bothered to read any of the 4 books that came out of the show. I guess I just don't really get the need to adapt this kind of show into a novel. Comedy doesn't always translate well into books and a science-fiction sitcom made by the BBC in the late 80s/early 90s definitely wouldn't have been my first choice for a literary adaptation. Especially because so much of what made the show great were the actors themselves. That's not to criticise the writing of the show but the chemistry of the main group of actors is really what made this show stand out.

I listened to the audiobook version of the novel, so was treated to Chris Barrie's narration. His impersonations of his co-stars are to be commended, obviously, but it just wasn't the same. I guess it's always going to be difficult when you're so familiar with the source material. Speaking of which, I was majorly disappointed with just how familiar this book was. The majority of the book is made up of stuff lifted straight from the show with a few odd changes and additions here and there. I can't say that putting the show into a novel form really did anything to elevate the story or the characters. Maybe there's a tiny bit more backstory there and I guess you do get a bit more history of the Cat's people. Still, I spent a lot of time just feeling as though my time would be better spent watching the show again.

The writing itself wasn't terrible but it did feel kind of more like a pastiche than anything else. All of the science-fiction elements were all very tongue-in-cheek and it all felt a bit sarcastic. If I hadn't already seen the show, I don't think I'd have been impressed. Which really makes me wonder who this was written for? Fans of the show will just be subjected to a slightly worse version of the first 2 series but newbies won't get the point of it. I guess this is what it always was; a desperate and weak cash grab.