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Red Dwarf #2

Red Dwarf: Better Than Life

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Red Dwarf - Better Than Life is the second and final instalment of this hilarious sci-fi comedy.

Narrated by Chris "Rimmer" Barrie, Better Than Life finds the crew trapped in a mind-boggling computer game that is threatening their lives and safety of the ship. One by one, they enter the game to rescue each other - and one by one, they become trapped! Holly will have to use his mega brain to solve this one.

7 pages, Audiobook

First published October 25, 1990

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About the author

Grant Naylor

12 books245 followers
Grant Naylor was the collective name used by writers Rob Grant and Doug Naylor for their collaboration, particularly the TV series, Red Dwarf. Grant and Naylor call their pseudonym a gestalt entity, something that is greater than the sum of its parts.


From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_Na...

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5 stars
4,823 (37%)
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3 stars
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74 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
Profile Image for Lizz.
432 reviews111 followers
November 22, 2021
I don’t write reviews.

This isn’t my favourite RD book, but it has lots of humour and all of the great characters. It’s still quite entertaining.
If you want a real treat, listen to it narrated by Chris Barrie, who played Arnold Rimmer. He does the most delightful renditions of Kryten, Cat and Lister.

And if you don’t like RD…. smeg off ;)
Profile Image for David Sarkies.
1,924 reviews379 followers
March 17, 2016
Trapped in Virtual Reality
17 March 2016

I version I was reading was actually part of the Red Dwarf Omnibus which, along with the first two books, also has the script of the original radio play, and the pilot episode that they used to pitch to the TV executives (and as was suggested, at the time TV executives were very reluctant to take on a science fiction show, despite the fact that at the time Doctor Who was a rip-roaring success). Anyway, in the script for the pilot episode there was a line with a star next to it, and the footnote said 'the rest of the line is missing'. Upon seeing this I immediately thought of the ancient texts that I read where you see this occurring fairly often. This made me wonder what would somebody two thousand years from now, after our society had collapsed, think if he (or she) unearthed a casket that contained a copy of the Red Dwarf Omnibus. In fact what would they think if this box contained a bunch of John Grisham novels, along with say, something by Jackie Collins. In fact, if this box contained a copy of Life of Pi, what would they think of our society – would they have this weird understanding of the world that existed before the collapse of our society, and would they actually believe that we had conquered the stars? Mind you, sometimes I have the desire to build a huge underground vault and stock it full of books (and maybe even a computer, along with all of the manuals) for somebody in the future to uncover.

Anyway, I'm not going to answer that question, but if you have any thoughts please put them in the comment section below because I would love to hear what other people would think.

This is how the first book in the series ended:

What harm was one more day? He turned away from the dissolving exit and crunched up the drive to 220.
One more night of that pinball smile.
Just one.
He couldn't leave them on Christmas Eve.
But, of course, in Bedford Falls it was always Christmas Eve …


Lister and the crew of Red Dwarf had found themselves trapped in a game called 'Better than Life' and this is where this book begins. Mind you, the book isn't set entirely in Bedford Falls, just the first part, and we learn how they escape – thanks to the fact that Rimmer has this mental disorder in which he simply cannot accept that anything good can ever happen to him. Mind you, it is not that this is a disorder that he knows, but rather something deep in his subconsciousness, something that he doesn't realise himself, but a reality that will eventually rise up and destroy any joy that he has in his life. This is hinted at in the first book, where we learn that despite the fact that they live in this virtual world where everybody's fantasies come true, the Brazillian bombshell that he married still has an affair with the pool cleaner.

That is the thing with Better Than Life – it is supposed to create a world based on your subconscious where everything is perfect, which means that when you jack into the game you never want to leave. As such while you live in paradise, your body is slowly dying. Of course the writers never consider that people living in such a world could be hooked up to an intravenous source for sustenance, but then again this game is illegal so such facilities basically don't exist. Actually, I remember watching a film once (I can't remember what it was called though) where everybody lived in such a game while in the real world they were sleeping in beds being fed intravenously (no, it's not The Matrix).

The scary thing is that we see similar things happening today, where people log onto online computer games and simply spend their entire lives immersed therein. I remember living with somebody like that, in the days before World of Warcraft (back then it was Everquest and Ultima Online). His fiancée ended up breaking off the relationship namely because he preferred to play Ultima Online than actually spend anytime with her. Seeing this unfold before my eyes sort of put me off the whole online roleplaying phenomena (and the fact that I was never willing to ply the subscription fees – though I did play around with Neverwinter Nights for quite a while, but that had more to do with creating a world using their editor than anything else).

Like the first book in the series, Better then Life contains a montage of episodes from the next couple of seasons. Mind you, I have to admit that reading some of the jokes, such as the joke where Lister and the Cat dream of having an affair with Wilma Flintstone, and then discarding it based on the fact that she would never leave Fred, are so much better when you watch the TV series than when you read it in the book. However, having watched pretty much all of the original seasons, reading the same jokes still gives me a chuckle, namely because I remember the visual jokes from the screen. In fact I simply cannot picture the crew of Red Dwarf without images of Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, and Danny John-Jules (not to forget Norman Lovett) in my head. Actually, I suspect that they intended this to be as such since the books were written after the TV series were released.

Better than life ends similarly to the previous book, in a way that suggests that a sequel could be coming along, and ending it in a way that could leave us quite content. While it is tempting to write about the last section of the book I think I'll leave it at that, namely because if it is similar to this book then the beginning of Backwards is going to go on from the end of Better than Life. I just hope I don't forget some of the ideas that related to this when I get around to reading that book (which shouldn't be too far into the future).
Profile Image for Angus McKeogh.
1,350 reviews81 followers
December 7, 2018
This series was great. I've run into a couple of 1-star books recently and since I loved the first one in this series I thought I'd plug it in here to end that negative trend. Red Dwarf is a collaboration between two authors and it's ingenious, smart, and funny, which is an impossible combination to achieve. Unfortunately I believe this is the last book in their collaboration (although the ending was set for possibly more). A little bit of Ready Player One well before that book was ever released; a little bit of Douglas Adams but I'd say even more brilliant in certain respects; and just a load of inventive genius. I highly recommend these two books to fans of entertainment in general.
Profile Image for NumberLord.
163 reviews29 followers
May 10, 2007
Funny book! Best line (and perfect description of "Cat"):

God, it was cruel to have been born a male, and have a reflection that was also male, forcing him into a platonic relationship with his own image.
Profile Image for Walter.
56 reviews17 followers
November 24, 2024
Title: Better Than Life
Authors: Grant Naylor (the two-headed comedy beast of Rob Grant and Doug Naylor)
Narrator: Chris Barrie, the legend himself

Sometimes life throws you curveballs, like bad coffee, parking tickets, or an unrelenting hologram named Rimmer. Other times, it throws you this audiobook—a sheer delight that proves, once again, that sometimes the book really is better than life.

Better Than Life takes the chaos of the Red Dwarf universe and cranks it up to eleven. It’s clever, outrageous, and packed with absurdly funny twists. The crew’s misadventures in a dangerously immersive virtual reality game are the stuff of comedic legend—because why stop at ruining one life when you can ruin multiple simulated ones at the same time?

Chris Barrie’s narration isn’t just “good”; it’s smeg-tacular. He slips effortlessly between Rimmer’s whiny self-importance, Lister’s laid-back charm, Cat’s narcissistic flair, and Kryten’s earnest exasperation. It’s like a one-man Red Dwarf cast party, and we’re all invited.

Listening to this audiobook is an experience. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, deeply nostalgic for Dwarfers, and genuinely touching in places (yes, even Rimmer has his moments). Just beware: you’ll find yourself trying to explain why you’re laughing to anyone within earshot—and failing miserably because “I’m laughing at a neurotic hologram arguing with a sentient toaster” doesn’t quite translate.

Life can be tough, but this audiobook is a reminder that a bit of ridiculous escapism and a lot of laughter can make it all bearable. 5/5 Stars. Perfect for smegheads, comedy fans, and anyone who needs a break from reality—virtual or otherwise.
Profile Image for Andy.
1,311 reviews90 followers
January 20, 2022
Die "Red Dwarf"/"Roter Zwerg" Reihe ist einfach genial. Besser als das Leben ist der zweite Band.
Profile Image for Monika Schmidt.
76 reviews27 followers
January 20, 2022
Eine tolle Reihe. Der zweite Band konnte mich auch wieder mit Wortwitz und Spannung überzeugen
Profile Image for Paul.
444 reviews27 followers
January 18, 2019
As with the first Red Dwarf book the writers have fleshed out and made highly detailed stories within different episodes of the TV show. And once again it's done amazingly.

As the title suggests the main crux of the book is set within the game Better than Life. And once again it's done in a different (and in my opinion better) than what came before. The entire rules of the game are changed here and there's even a reference to what we saw in the sitcom and explains why it's not possible here.

One thing I didn't mention in my review of the first book was the characters of Lister and Rimmer. Lister isn't anywhere near the brainless slob we first met, in fact he's quite intelligent. And as much as Rimmer begins out as an anal retentive, unlikeable git who's got no time for anyone but himself we get to see how he thinks, why he behaves the way he does and see his attitude to Lister change quite a lot, to the point I'd catagorise them as friends. He's not the loveable hero that an alternate version of himself becomes but he's certainly a lot more likeable than the version Chris Barrie portrayed.

This is the last book co-written by the two creators. After this are two more sequels, one by Grant, the other Naylor. I look forward to seeing where they took the story next.

I'd personally love to see more stories from the show receive this kind of treatment but that ship has long since sailed. This is a real shame.
Profile Image for Andrew.
2,536 reviews
March 7, 2015
Well after the fun of the first book in the series - the nostalgia has started to wane - not because of the show but more the book. This book starts to deviate more and more from the series - now as I said in my previous review my love for this was due to the farcical nature of the show and the visual as well as scripted jokes, with the book starting to veer further away from the path the show took I struggle to imagine those same scenes now in a new light - now do not get me wrong I am sure someone who has limited exposure to the series (which was NOT the case for me since I shared a house at Uni with 2 other fans of the show) you could possibly enjoy this book more but for me my mind keeps on wanting to find ways to bring it back on track - yes I guess I am that shallow but for somethings you hold dear I say you are allowed a few indulgences.
The book is just as readable and cleverly written I guess it just didnt hit it off as well as the first book which is strange consider it too took liberties with the storyline.
Profile Image for Thiago d'Evecque.
Author 7 books67 followers
July 24, 2018
Nem sei o que mais gostei nessa continuação. O jogo Better Than Life, a sinuca com planetas, o depósito de lixo, as baratas, as chuvas mortais, a macarronada, a torradeira, o polimorfo...

Divertidíssimo.
Profile Image for Andreas.
107 reviews6 followers
August 28, 2021
File under "Light reading that is perfect for a camping trip" You will be able to run through this in a couple of days.

There are some funny bits. Alot of nonsensical moments. Don't be a smeghead; Leave your brain at the door and enjoy the ride.
Profile Image for Jonathan.
10 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2025
Erg leuk, als halve sterren een ding waren had die 4.5 gekregen.
Profile Image for Petr.
663 reviews8 followers
July 13, 2022
První díl byl sice zajímavější, ale i tak pro fandy je toto povinnost ;)
Profile Image for Steven.
258 reviews8 followers
September 30, 2024
**** 4 STARS **** words 59,790

Another very good Red Dwarf book.

Better Than Life is a little different than the previous Red Dwarf book. Whilst BTL uses many scenes from the TV series, in particular the 2nd and 3rd series, the plot is quite different from any episode, for the most part.

I like this format a lot more when compared to what novilizations usually are. However, the new material isn't as funny. Perhaps the authors were going for a more straightforward science fiction story. But it's Red Dwarf, c'mon. That's not to say it isn't funny, at all, because, it is, just, not as funny. This is more evident when they incorporate dialogue from the show, verbatim.

I'm already looking forward to the next.
Profile Image for Jason.
1,318 reviews138 followers
April 5, 2016
I love the TV series Red Dwarf, so as soon as I saw there were some books based on it I just had to get them. The good news is that they convert over to story-book version well. You already know the characters so a lot of the work has already been done for you, this story was already been made into an episode, so even more work has been done for ya...maybe even a crap author could produce a good book from this? Luckily Grant Naylor is a really good writer and has produced an excellent book.

Reading this you'll laugh out loads, some of the laughs will be from what has been written and the others will be from bits you remember from the show.
Profile Image for Liz.
451 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2020
As good as 'Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers' though qualitatively fairly different. Despite being shorter, 'Better Than Life' presents a very in depth look at the dangers of being able to have whatever we want, whenever we want. A comedy book that explores the darkest nature of the human psyche? Only Grant Naylor could pull that off flawlessly. Amazing.

Reread January 2020. Still amazing.
Profile Image for Virginia Rand.
332 reviews25 followers
February 14, 2015
It was funny, but it suffered because I watched the TV show first. I'd definitely recommend it to those who haven't.
Profile Image for Claire.
19 reviews
July 25, 2017
The audio book recordings by Chris Barrie are amazing. He does all the voices so well.

The first book is the better of the two, but this is well worth a listen and reminisce.
Profile Image for Tomislav.
1,157 reviews98 followers
August 11, 2021
Well, let me remind you that Grant Naylor is a pseudonym for Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, the creators of the BBC Two production Red Dwarf (1988-1999). The 1989 book, Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers, and this, its 1990 sequel, incorporate plot lines of several episodes of the first two seasons of the television series. After that, each wrote a completely different sequel third novel - Naylor’s is Last Human (1995), and Grant’s is Backwards (1996). In cribbage, we count that as a “double run of three” (8 points, with the pair); I’m not sure what the publishing term is. Don’t read the spoiler section, unless you have already finished the first book.



I found the humor of book one to be wild and off-the-wall - while the humor of book two is more about the absurd predicaments already possible within the Red Dwarf universe. I think I laughed harder at book one, and thought more during this one. I’m still curious about the concept of two alternative sequels, but the first pair of books can easily stand alone.
Profile Image for Ritsby Moorhouse.
12 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2023
Also my third read through of this book. Definitely not as good at the first book, Grant and Naylor play more fast and loose with their canon, making jokes that are pretty anachronistic for the crew of the Red Dwarf. I do like how they make some canon errors from the show make sense in this book - it turns out Rimmer was just lying about having sex in this brother's car in that One Episode. I really do feel like they took too long to get out of Better Than Life, and when they do, Grant and Naylor move WAY too fast onto planet pool. It leaves some of the experiences kind of hollow - I really do feel like they never tied up the whole "Rimmer wants to have sex with his mother" thing.
But I can't hate too hard, the prose is great as usual, full of life and humour. I will always enjoy media that brings the red dwarf crew alive.

Fuck Kristine Kochanski, me and my homies hate Kristine Kochanski
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Karin.
1,808 reviews31 followers
May 31, 2020
Taking up where the last book left off, more or less, Lister is now caught in the grips of a computer game, Better Than Life. This is a game that people who play usually die, since they never want to leave and cannot be forcibly removed or they will die. He's happy, not realizing he is playing it, since he is happily married and living in a remake of the Bedford Falls of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" but what he doesn't realize is that his physical body is wasting away.

I didn't find this one as funny as the first book in the series.
Profile Image for Christopher.
609 reviews
March 8, 2018
Much faster than the other one for some reason, though they're the same size. Weird.

There were two parts of the story that had me in stitches. The first involved the incredible shrinking trousers and the second involved the description of time going thataway. Just hilarious all-round. I actually snorted at one point I was shaking from laughing so hard. And this was while on the bus! Oh well.
Profile Image for Tim Hewison.
1 review
January 14, 2019
First "Living in a Simulation" book I read - was ground-breaking stuff for me at the time (1990?). But then I loved the TV series and "proper" Sci-Fi, so of course I was always going to love it.

Let me fly, far away from here
Fun Fun Fun, in the Sun Sun Sun
I want to lie, Shipwrecked and comatose
Drinking fresh mango juice
Profile Image for jaroiva.
2,020 reviews55 followers
June 9, 2019
I druhý díl stál za to. Chci ten Toustovač!
155 reviews
January 15, 2022
Kinda boring at first, but picks up.
So many spelling mistakes and story issues in this version of the book (must be a fairly early print). First they destroy Blue Midgit, then it's fine again, then they use White Dwarf which was supposed to be destroyed earlier! It makes your head hurt a bit!
Profile Image for Rickyd1989.
8 reviews
March 11, 2022
I shan't stroke my dwarf fanboy ego with a long dribble of explaintion/recount...Amazing, as good as the first book....That is all.
Profile Image for Jesse.
346 reviews5 followers
December 4, 2022
Like the first Red Dwarf book, it carries over the anarchic humor and heady sci-fi concepts from the show, but executes them in elaborate, imaginative ways that could never be done on a television budget. Lister befriends a series of eight foot tall evolved cockroaches and rides on their backs like dragons, just to give you an idea. 😛 Really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Lily Marlene.
26 reviews
September 26, 2023
My only wish in life now is to end up cultivating the dead polluted earth back to its former glory surrounded only by my cockroach army for 34 years
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews

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