Gateway

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the stars with Frederik Pohl's Hugo and Nebula Award-winning masterpiece, *Gateway*. This paperback edition, published by Orion Publishing Co in 2010, offers a captivating blend of adventure, science fiction, and psychological exploration. *Gateway* isn't just a science fiction novel; it's a profound examination of human ambition, risk, and the enduring search for meaning in a vast and indifferent universe. The story follows Robinette Broadhead, a down-on-his-luck prospector who takes a desperate gamble by investing his lottery winnings in a one-way ticket to Gateway, an abandoned alien spaceport teeming with potentially lucrative but incredibly dangerous voyages. Gateway presents humanity with an irresistible opportunity: a network of alien starships programmed with destinations unknown. However, there's a catch the ships are controlled by the long-vanished Heechee, and their destinations are randomly selected. Explorers blast off into the unknown, hoping to discover valuable artifacts or new habitable worlds, but many never return. The chances of success are slim, and the risks are immense, leading to a unique brand of space exploration driven by desperation and the allure of unimaginable wealth. Robinette Broadhead initially strikes it rich, but his success is tainted by the psychological scars of his experiences. The novel deftly interweaves Broadhead's present-day therapy sessions with flashbacks to his harrowing adventures on Gateway, creating a compelling narrative that explores the long-term effects of trauma and the price of ambition. Pohl's writing is sharp, insightful, and filled with dark humor, making *Gateway* a truly unforgettable read. The novel is celebrated for its innovative narrative structure, its compelling characters, and its thought-provoking exploration of human nature in the face of the unknown. This paperback edition, while showing light wear to the cover and some tanning to the page edges, offers a chance to rediscover or experience for the first time, one of the landmark science fiction novels of all time. *Gateway* is a must-have for any fan of classic science fiction, adventure stories, or thought-provoking literature. Don't miss your chance to own this gripping tale of interstellar exploration and personal redemption. Ships from the U.K. and dispatched promptly for swift delivery.