Where to Start with Grimes in the Rim World
For readers diving into A. Bertram Chandler’s vast John Grimes saga, the Rim World Alternate Dimensions sequence (often called the Alternate Dimensions or Gateway cycles) represents some of the most imaginative writing in the franchise. These stories follow Grimes after his transition from the Federation Survey Service to a commodore in the Rim Worlds Naval Reserve. While the entire John Grimes series spans dozens of novels and stories across his whole career, this specific subseries can be read independently as a dedicated space exploration arc centered around alternate universes, temporal rifts, and boundary-pushing sci-fi adventures.
The best place to start within this sequence is Into the Alternate Universe. This novel sets the stage for the recurring dimensional instabilities that Grimes and his crew must navigate at the edge of the galaxy.
The Recommended Reading Order
Although A. Bertram Chandler did not write the John Grimes stories in chronological order of Grimes' life, the books in this specific Rim World sequence flow naturally in their original publication order. Here is the recommended path through these seven books:
- Into the Alternate Universe (1964) – The first novel in the cycle, where Grimes and his crew are drawn into a parallel dimension, setting off a search for lost human civilizations and surviving wreckage in otherspace.
- Contraband from Otherspace (1967) – Grimes investigates an eerie, off-kilter ship named the Distriyir and discovers a terrifying reality: an alternate timeline where mutated, highly intelligent rats have subjugated the human population.
- The Rim Gods (1969) – A fix-up novel containing four connected stories: "The Rim Gods," "The Bird-Brained Navigator," "The Tin Fishes," and "Last Dreamer." Bored with administrative duty, Grimes takes to the stars to handle bizarre troubleshooting missions at the galaxy's edge.
- Alternate Orbits / The Commodore at Sea (1971 / 1979) – A collection of four short stories ("Hall of Fame," "The Sister Ships," "The Man Who Sailed the Sky," and "The Rub") focusing on Grimes' service as a Commodore. Originally published as Alternate Orbits in an Ace Double format, it was later re-released under the title The Commodore at Sea.
- The Dark Dimensions (1971) – Grimes commands the Faraway Quest to locate a legendary alien ship called "The Outsider." During the mission, he encounters temporal anomalies, alien threats, and even parallel versions of himself. This book features a famous crossover appearance by Dominic Flandry, a character created by Poul Anderson.
- Gateway to Never (1972) – Also published as The Gateway to Never, this book sees Grimes reluctantly tracking down a drug-smuggling ring on the Rim, bringing him face-to-face with the notorious space pirate Drongo Kane.
- The Way Back (1976) – Picking up after the crew becomes lost in space and time following the events on Kinsolving's Planet, this novel details their desperate quest to find the mythical home planet Earth and escape the temporal loops trapping them in legendary roles.
Chronological vs. Publication Order Caveats
Understanding A. Bertram Chandler's universe requires accepting a degree of temporal flexibility. Chandler was a real-life merchant marine officer, and his stories reflect a deep familiarity with sea-faring culture, translated into a "Hornblower in space" motif. Because he wrote stories spanning Grimes’ entire lifetime—from an inexperienced midshipman to a seasoned Commodore—over a period of three decades, the publication sequence of the broader series jumps back and forth through Grimes' timeline.
For this specific Rim World subseries, however, publication order aligns perfectly with the progression of Grimes' career as a high-ranking officer in the Rim Worlds. Reading these books in the order listed above ensures that you experience his encounters with alternate dimensions and temporal phenomena in a cohesive, narrative-friendly sequence.
What to Know Before You Start
Before beginning your journey into the Rim, keep these key elements in mind:
- The Rim World Setting: The Rim Worlds are situated at the outermost edge of the galaxy, where stars are sparse, night is a pitch-black void, and the laws of physics are notably less stable. This unique environment makes the Rim a hotbed for portals, time distortion, and parallel dimensions.
- The "Hornblower in Space" Tone: If you enjoy maritime fiction, you will feel right at home. The spaceships operate under naval traditions, complete with officers, crew dynamics, watch rotations, and nautical terminology adapted for spaceflight.
- Crossover Appeal: Science fiction fans should look out for The Dark Dimensions, which serves as a rare, licensed crossover with Poul Anderson's Dominic Flandry, demonstrating the collaborative spirit of mid-century space opera writers.
- Recurring Antagonists: The sequence features Drongo Kane, a recurring antagonist and smuggler in Chandler's universe. His interactions with Grimes provide excellent friction against the backdrop of galactic bureaucracy.