Gateway (Heechee Saga, #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Jan 27, 2011 Andrew rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sf-masterworks

So I have ventured back to the Science Fiction Masterworks series of classic famous and influential science fiction. Now Before I comment on the book I will have to admit that I would love to learn more about the selection process for this series as it seems to pick up titles from across all the ages and styles (but of course following the SF theme) I guess it will be the publishers but still its am impressive mix of titles and if you ever way to wander through Science Fiction but never sure whe So I have ventured back to the Science Fiction Masterworks series of classic famous and influential science fiction. Now Before I comment on the book I will have to admit that I would love to learn more about the selection process for this series as it seems to pick up titles from across all the ages and styles (but of course following the SF theme) I guess it will be the publishers but still its am impressive mix of titles and if you ever way to wander through Science Fiction but never sure where to start or where it will take you this is as good as any. And I must point out that the series has started again with new titles (and repackaged old ones) being released all the time.

So Gateway - a famous title of the Heechee series or is it sequence which Fredrik Pohl is still adding too (or at least the books are still being added to it). Like may galaxy spanning SF series we have a mysterious Alien race which provides the motivation and back story to the book, (there are many such series and the level of alien interaction varies but the premise is the same. We are no longer alone and we are playing catch up and there is a mountain of learning to be achieved along the way).

What impresses me and frustrates me I guess is the story style where (for reasons explained at the end of the book and which provides part of the major twist) the story jumps between present and recollection. It does make it annoying at times when you want to get back in to the action and instead you have another introspective discussion. Now you could argue this dialogue is a plot device to explain more of what is going on without patronising the reader but it also serves another purpose which you learn of at the end of the book.

So I know that this is a vague review of the book, which I guess it is - although because the storyline is so tightly woven its all to easy to give something away while still only providing the introduction. However this book is standalone - there are other books that follow and you do get to learn more about the Heechee so it is worth sticking with it.

So is it a Masterwork - I would say it is but you have to be patient it takes time getting there ...more

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