Colony / Rob Grant

Colony

category: science fiction, humour, author:

Rob Grant

original copyright 2000,
read in Jul 2011

Agamedes' opinion: 6 out of 10

There on the cover is this book's big selling point: Rob Grant, co-creator of Red Dwarf. The cover picture -- on my copy! -- is of a head which looks a lot like Arnold Rimmer. A head with a sneer. A head in a bottle.

Not sure if this is all positive or negative...

Arnold Rimmer is the best actor in Red Dwarf. He is quite a good character. One of the show's failings is that it too often leaves Rimmer as an idiotic loser with no saving graces.

Was Colony going to be a story of an idiotic loser with no redeeming graces? Yuk :-(

Fortunately -- not.

The hero looks like a loser and acts like a loser. And loses. But it is not excruciatingly awful... He is almost sympathetic. And he -- gradually -- demonstrates his redeeming features.

So why do I score this book as only six out of ten, for "read to pass the time"?!

I have categorised this book as both science fiction and humour. By adding "humour" I am being kind. Or, at least, I am stating what I believe to be the intent of the author.

I think that Grant is attempting comic irony. What he has achieved is sarcasm. To put it simply -- in my opinion: Colony is cruel irony.

There is irony, in that the best of the best of humanity turn out to be a bunch of nasty self-centered intellectuals. Who breed for stupidity. But there is no humour in simply saying, Look, these people are all idiots! Grant is describing one-dimensional stereotypes, expecting laughter based on prejudice. (And, perhaps, on jealousy.)

"There's no toilet paper in the toilet!" "That's so funny because it's true!" Even Homer Simpson was used to poke fun at the idea that something is funny simply because it matches our prejudices.

Once I realised that the "loser" hero had some depth, I enjoyed this book. But not immensely.

Not too bad. Readable enough to pass a few quiet hours.

..o0o..

These reviews are provided by Agamedes Consulting. For an independent and thoughtful review of your processes, problems or documents, email nickleth at gmail dot com.