space neurosis!

70s exploration of Relationships with a space exploration backdrop.
A little sci fi about cosmic prospecting.
The science fiction plays little part in the story as most of it is about the people, their relationships and hang ups.
It's like sharing all the neurotic thoughts of woody Allen without the comedy.
Great world building and well structured story.
Good performance well defined individual characters.
The whole thing is a metaphor for relationships and The gamble you take when going into a relationship blindly not knowing if you hit the jackpot or it will destroy you. But beyond that, it's about the nature of the quality of life and how we perceive that quality.
Seems very of the time because of how the author casually includes sex and and sexual orientation.
85% relationships and neurosis 15% sci fi.
It's thought provoking and I know, for the time, it would have been quite ground breaking. It's still very good though. just a shame there's not more actual plot or story. I can't argue that's is good science fiction though.

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Truly a Great Story in a Sci Fi Wrapper

I went for this book based on it appearing in top 10/20 cyberpunk and sci-fi lists. It truly deserves it. I'm not sure I'd consider it cyberpunk, but I would not let that put you off. It is original in it story and hard to fault, in fact I don't think i can.

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an amazing story read really well

this is the 2nd time I've read gateway but the first time I've listened to the audiobook.
the book itself is set in a psychiatrists office with the protagonist recounting his story which for me transfers exceptionally well to audiobook.
to me this is the greatest work of science fiction ever. still relevant even today.

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Classic scifi

I had not heard of the author before, but what an amazing tale. Written so long ago, but still feels fresh. I also hadn't realised that this was one in a series until halfway through, whilst I am pleased there are more to listern to i was also happy that this one had a clean ending.

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5 people found this helpful

Dated, but still a masterpiece

An excellent performance of a classic. Yes, there are a couple jaw dropping moments that highlight that society has moved on for the better since 1977, but those aside, this is as good as "hard SF" gets.

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Good story, horrible narration

How could the performance have been better?

When I listened to the sample I thought it was ok but after a couple of hours of that horrible cracked rasping voice I couldn't stand it. Now, having finished it, just thinking about it sets my teeth on edge. Not only an awful voice but the dialogue is awful too.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Definitely

Any additional comments?

Despite the age it's hardly dated and still well worth reading. It is a good story, realistically conceived with interesting perspectives on mankind presented subtly without ever preaching or trying to impress.It alternates two stories both told in the first person by the protagonist, Bob. One is the story of his life as he sought to make his fortune. The other is his psychotherapy as he attempts to recover after those events. The AI psychotherapist has been described as one of science fiction's greatest character creations. I disagree. Having lived with a practising psychoanalyst for many years, I didn't find the sessions remotely realistic, nor was there a single Aha! moment or a conversation that made me stop and think about the implications of AI personality. The issues raised in Beckett's Genesis, for example, are much more thought provoking. Still it's an enjoyable story.

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1 person found this helpful

Great story and expressively narrated

I wasn't able to stop listening. For those who are interested, there's also a PC adventure game Legend published in 1992 based on this book -- a classic in itself.

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everything that science fiction should be

utterly compelling, beautifully paced, narrated brilliantly and the ending left me hanging in space. perfect!

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As soon the intro announced...

...that the book was the only book to win both the Hugo and Nebula awards, I should have been forewarned.

If you like unlikable characters whining at an AI psychologist and prattling on about star signs, this is the book for you.

There is tiny bit of interesting sci-fi I there but it isn't worth the chore of completing the book.

if I get past the first 2 hrs, I tend to
listen to completion, but with just 2 hrs to go, I'm giving up.

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overrated in my personal opinion

Struggled through this story. Not sure how it won Hugo and Nebula award. read better H&N novels.

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