[Shadowdancer21b]

Red Dwarf by Grant Naylor. Yes this novel inspired the series, and yes, there are differences. The novel has a considerably darker tone. I mean really, really much grimmer. The characters are identical in their portrayal however, so that was good to see. I hate it when characters get changed in the transition, but Naylor wrote the television script too, so we saw none of that. Much of the book is in the series, but it goes more into Lister's backstory and also there is quite a bit that didn't make it into the series, such as the evolution of the cats and what their holy war was about (not the color of the hats at the hotdog stand, but rather the name of Holy Mother Frankenstein's protector and their savior. Cloister or Clister.) It was an entertaining read, but I was depressed at the end. It's very well written too. So I give it four out of five.