Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

For the fan of the cult television show Red Dwarf anything that comes along which further expands the absurdist universe can only be one of good fortune; and even with the passing of one of the original creators, Rob Grant, earlier on the year, the fact that a brand new novel baring his name, alongside Andrew Marshall, has been brought into existence is enough to have, as the great Ken Dodd would exclaim, “Is one that exercises the chuckle muscle.”

Red Dwarf: Titan is a parallel prequel to the long running sit-com’s inexhaustible lore, and one that adds a wonderfully convoluted back story to the proceedings, and in the most pleasurable of ways pays homage to that of the original face of the ship’s computer Holly, the ferociously talented Norman Lovett.

Satire is arguably the finest form of comedy, and in continuing fashion the satire behind Red Dwarf’s appeal, the systemic breaking down of science fiction’s often aloof presentation, the kind that takes itself far too seriously as it moralises and lectures from a standing point of superiority but which instead shows a lack of respect to the reader or the avid watcher of film and television series, is to be entertained and feel empathy for the characters written with endearing personality.

The written tale is one of generous charm, the feel for the protagonists of Lister, Rimmer, and Christine Kochanski as they wind their way through a perilous maze of misbegotten nemesis’s and rough necks, gaining assistance from a mechanoid who has the power to use every word variation possible as though he is a walking thesaurus, and the presence of an animal that has right yet to exist is one that sets of that chuckle muscle at a rampaging speed.

However enjoyable the book is, and it is one that captures the essence of the show and subsequent array of novels with insight, that Rob Grant never saw it published will cause sorrow amongst its legions of fans, that what transpires at the end was surely but the beginning of a brand-new chapter for the boys of the Dwarf.  It is to wish Andrew Marshall well, indeed pray for him to succeed should the possible series continue, for the thought of losing out on the adventures of one of Britain’s all time comedy series is damaging to the soul.

A great novel of satire and humour, all that was good and boast worthy cool of the series captured once again in the written form.

Ian D. Hall