NINETOES VS. GATEWAY

Blog Manager Tom’s favorite science fiction book of all time is Frederick Pohl’s GATEWAY, but what does Ninetoes think of this now 50 year old Hugo & Nebula Awards winning novel?

TITLE: Gateway

AUTHOR: Federick Pohl

GENRE: Science Fiction

PAGES: 288

FORMAT: Paperback

PRICE: $17.00

Hey there, book lovers! It’s your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes Loves Books Headquarters. Today, I am looking at Frederick Pohl’s classic science fiction novel, Gateway. I have coffee in my system and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!

Back in 1988, I was in a bookstore with a man who was destined to become one of the best friends I ever met. We had just met (and there is a story there), after dinner, we went to the mall with our dates, and we ended up in the science fiction section. He pointed to the book Gateway by Frederick Pohl, asked if I read it, and a future friendship was cemented.

First of all, this is a science fiction lover’s book. There are no intergalactic empires, space battles, laser swords, or ray guns. A civilization known as the Heechee left behind technologies seeded among the stars. For the right price, you can board a Heechee ship and take off for parts unknown among the stars. The catch? You may never return. Many have paid the price, taken the trip, and died among the stars or just simply disappeared. Enter Robinette Broadhead. He paid the price for such a trip and lived to tell the tale, and became insanely rich in the process. Now, you would think that having more money than God and living in the proverbial lap of luxury would be enough to live happily ever after, but not for poor Robin. With the help of his computerized psychiatrist (Sigmund Von Shrink), Robin will uncover the source of his crippling despair and uncover the truth of what happened on his trip among the stars.

Now, this needs to be said. If you came up to me, on any given day, and said, “Ninetoes, I want your top five all-time favorite science fiction novels”, this book would be at the top two of the list! It is flat out one of the very best science fiction books I have ever read. This is a book of journeys, space travel, and personal, that gives you food for thought. Personally, I would have taken one of those trips. Sure, it can be a death sentence, but if not, the payoff is legendary. However, I am the kind who would want to go for the experience. To fly among the stars, engage in alien technology, and this book let me do it!

The downside is that this book is NOT available in ebook format. Yeah, it was hell on these old eyes. The print is small with a capital “S”. So, be warned that if you have trouble with small print in a book, you will have difficulties, but the experience you get from reading it is well worth the pain!

This book is perfect. Oh, excuse me, this book is perfect for anyone who loves science in science fiction!

I give this book 5+bookmarks out of 5!

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.