A review by lbrex
Gateway by Frederik Pohl

adventurous dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was very interested in this book after first hearing about it, and I will admit upon finishing it that it has a great premise and that the "computer psychoanalysis" bit of it grew on me, even though those chapters of _Gateway_ felt clunky at first. The ideas of the Heechees, Gateway station, and the risk and anxiety associated with the different expeditions are all interesting, but the larger story, the main character, and the pacing of the novel all seemed off to me. The revelations in the last few pages didn't seem as earth shattering as I had hoped, and I also couldn't find much that was redeeming about Robinette Broadhead. I'm glad I read this, but I wouldn't wholeheartedly recommend it. I do wonder, though, if the subsequent books in the series are worth reading...
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