Re(a)d Dwarf

[One Thousand Newts]

Hello! 

This is my first time posting on here- I’ve not been keeping up with G&T as much lately, but a couple years ago I was on here all the time, and smegle and MAMOTFALLOEEORD were guaranteed bright spots in my day!

I’m usually more of a lurker on forums, but I thought it would be cool to get other people’s thoughts on this. I’ve been thinking of doing some kind of Red Dwarf themed reading challenge to combine my favourite show and my favourite hobby!

My first thought was to read a book that matched a theme or event from each episode, like body swapping, time running backwards, assination of JFK, etc. But some of the episodes are very specific so I’m not sure how easy it would be to compile this list.

Another option is to read books with titles that match each episode title. I began researching this and have found some good ones, but obviously certain episode titles will be harder than others. I wouldn’t mind being flexible with this and finding similar titles (e.g. “Queen” or “Queer” instead of “Queeg”), or books that link to or sound like the title in some way (“The Man in the Rubber Mask” and “The Admirable Crichton” for the various Kryten-esque episode titles). Of course “Better Than Life” and “Backwards” share titles with the books already!

Basically, if anyone has any kind of interest in this I would love any suggestions for books that match! I’m happy to read basically any genre as long as it’s in a written format and I can access it without breaking the bank. Or if anyone has done something like this before that would be cool to hear about! 

Even if you aren’t interested in this topic, I’d like to say thanks to anyone who has posted jokes, memes, and discussions on here, it is lovely to see an active fan base for the show! :D 

Topic

[Dave]

Hello and welcome! What a lovely first post.

The book challenge sounds cool, I don’t have any specific suggestions but wanted to make you aware (in case you’re not) of this extensive archive which notes a lot of the various cultural references of Red Dwarf – it might give you some inspiration for adjacent literature. 

https://www.red-rose.com/www.cobalt.demon.co.uk/alt.tv.red-dwarf/reflist-tv-255.html

[Dave]

And on Queeg specifically, that character’s name and Holly’s line about mutiny are a reference to The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk, so you could try that one.

[Flap Jack]

I’m honoured that you remember MAMOTFALLOEEORD fondly!

This book would surely be perfect for Kryten:

[Warbodog]

I fear the work of the reading could be less fun than the idea of it when tying it to a theme, so it might be best to focus on being entertained first. You could try reading books by as many people from Red Dwarf as you can be bothered to, e.g. a Robert Lewellyn novel, a Tony Hawks wacky caper, trying to pick ones that didn’t look boring.

Then again, setting myself stupid reading challenges led to me discovering one of my favourite writers (Rhys Hughes’ The Smell of Telescopes when reading a book for each of the five senses), so it can work out.

[Dave]

I’m honoured that you remember MAMOTFALLOEEORD fondly!

Hall of fame status for sure.

[One Thousand Newts]

http://www.cobalt.demon.co.uk/alt.tv.red-dwarf/reflist-tv-255.html

Oo thank you, that archive looks like a goldmine for info!

[One Thousand Newts]

I’m honoured that you remember MAMOTFALLOEEORD fondly!
Hall of fame status for sure.

Agreed! It was iconic

[One Thousand Newts]

I fear the work of the reading could be less fun than the idea of it when tying it to a theme, so it might be best to focus on being entertained first. You could try reading books by as many people from Red Dwarf as you can be bothered to, e.g. a Robert Lewellyn novel, a Tony Hawks wacky caper, trying to pick ones that didn’t look boring.
Then again, setting myself stupid reading challenges led to me discovering one of my favourite writers (Rhys Hughes’ The Smell of Telescopes when reading a book for each of the five senses), so it can work out.

Yes, good point, I definitely don’t want to engineer the fun out of reading just to fit the challenge! Maybe I’ll drop the idea of sticking to episode order, and allow a bit more flexibility. I like the idea of reading books by people involved with the show! So many ideas, I feel a spreadsheet coming on…

[Author]

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