Only Forward

Only Forward is a 1994 science fiction novel by Michael Marshall Smith that won both the August Derleth Award and Philip K. Dick Award. The story follows Stark, a troubleshooter who takes on a missing person case in a strange future metropolis. The City is divided into distinct Neighborhoods, each with its own rules and characteristics. Stark's home district of Colour features streets that change hue automatically, while other areas range from the hyper-competitive Action Centre to Stable, a sealed environment whose residents believe they're the last survivors of an apocalypse. The investigation leads Stark through increasingly dangerous territories as he pursues his target across The City's varied districts. His quest requires him to navigate complex social structures, rival gangs, and deceptive realities. The novel explores themes of identity, reality versus illusion, and the ways humans create meaning through the spaces they inhabit. It combines elements of noir detective fiction with surreal worldbuilding to examine how environment shapes consciousness.

Readers describe the book as mind-bending and unconventional, with many noting the stark shift in tone and style between the first and second halves. The narrative structure challenges expectations, leading some to reread it multiple times. Readers appreciated: - The noir-tinged humor in the first half - Vivid worldbuilding and distinct neighborhoods - The protagonist Stark's voice and personality - Unpredictable plot turns Common criticisms: - Disorienting tonal change midway - Confusing narrative in later chapters - Ending feels rushed or unclear - Some found the humor forced Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (900+ ratings) Reader quote: "Started as clever sci-fi noir, ended as something completely different. Either brilliant or frustrating depending on your tolerance for experimental fiction." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers noted abandoning the book during the second half, while others ranked it among their favorite novels.

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🏆 The novel won its major awards in different countries - the August Derleth Award in the UK (1995) and the Philip K. Dick Award in the US (1996), showing its international appeal. 🐱 The neighborhood of Cats is one of the most unique districts in the book, where felines are in complete control and humans must follow strict rules to enter or pass through. ✍️ Michael Marshall Smith wrote this groundbreaking novel as his debut work, but later went on to write horror novels under the name Michael Marshall, creating a distinct separation between his science fiction and horror personas. 🏙️ The City's distinctive neighborhoods include Action Centre (where everything moves at high speed), Colour Neighbourhood (where everyone must wear specific colors), and Sound (where music never stops playing). 🎬 The book's unique blend of noir detective fiction and surreal science fiction influenced later works in the "New Weird" literary movement, which combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in urban settings.