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FREDERIK POHL
I
have placed "sizzler ratings"
next to books read, even if the review hasn't been added
at this time.
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THE
ANNALS OF THE HEECHEE (1987) |
Sub-category:
Alternate future
The plot: Now a machine stored
intelligence, courtesy of his loving wife, Essie, Robinette
Broadhead faces one of the greatest challenges in his 'life'
- he must assimilate all information about the 'Foe,' the
Heechee's greatest fear, and then possibly nuetralise their
threat. For the Foe are energy loving creatures, currently
hiding inside a Kugelblitz (blackhole created of energy instead
of matter), waiting for the Universe to collapse so they can
re-create the universe more favourably. Suddenly a broadcast
goes out from Earth, directly to the Foe...
Comment: The final in the
Heechee Saga, this novel is probably the best in the series
- how often can you say that about a sequel??? Right from
the first word, Pohl grips his reader with a vivid narration
of the story so far and life in 'gigabit' space. The anxieties
and foibles of Robinette Broadhead are as hilarious as ever.
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HEECHEE
RENDEZVOUS (1984) |
Sub-category:
Alternate future
The plot: Living off the
profits of his financed research into Heechee artifacts and
technology, Robinette Broadhead is about to face several of
his greatest fears. He will finally receive word that contact
may have been made by the Heechee, his political power maybe
diminishing and his guilt seems to be overwhelming and destroying
his body.
Comment: Another fast paced
installment in the Heechee Saga by Pohl. As the story is developing
through the novels, Pohl is fine-tuning the narration and
producing even better, fast-paced and humerous accounts of
Robin in a world that has him to thank for a lot of things
- even if his guilt won't let him recognise it!
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BEYOND
THE 660066 EVENT HORIZON (1980) |
Sub-category:
Alternate future
The plot: Rich and semi-emotionally
stable Robinette Broadhead has is now financing other people
to go out and explore Heechee products. This book starts
off with a family taking the 'slow route' to what is believed
to be a Heechee Food Factory. With a Food Factory, the Earth's
problems with lack of food and over population would be
resolved and Robin would be richer that he even possibly
conceive....
Comment: Continuing the
light tone set in Gateway, Pohl continues
to develop the mystery of the Heechee while retaining the
light hearted humour surrounding his characters foibles.
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GATEWAY
(1977) |
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Sub-category:
Alternate future
The plot: The story is
told by Robinette Broadhead, bouncing between the present
and the past. In the present, Robin is talking to psychiatrist,
Sigfrid von Shrink - a super programme. In the past, Robin
is a prospector who won the lottery and went to the recently
discovered Gateway asteroid to try and win fortune by
going on a blind mission in a Heechee ship to find Heechee
relics. However, how Robin won his fortune has caused
him tremendous guilt in the present.
Comment: Pohl has written
a humuerous novel poking fun at the psychiatric industry
and at his characters. The Heechee books are all fun to
read and Pohl's debut Heechee novel is rich in page-turning
narration and brilliant development of his terribly, terribly
flawed characters...
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[
TOP ]
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An absolute sizzler of a movie - A must
see! |
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A scorcher of a good movie; still capable
of riveting you to your seat |
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Low flame burner; a pleasant piece of mindless
brain candy |
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A fizzler of a movie which will have you
counting zzzzzz's... |
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