Rating: 
Summary: Heechee good, Freud bad
Review: A common plot feature of some of the most compelling science fiction novels I have read is a mysterious alien civilization - a vast black box that the author reveals in tiny but tantalizing snippets. Pohl does this masterfully in Gateway; it is probably the novel's best feature. The worst feature is undoubtedly the unintentionally hilarious psychoanalysis the protagonist undergoes. It sounds so outdated and is such a stilted and cheap way to try and develop a character that it prevents the book, in my opinion, from being an enduring classic. That said, I devoured the book in only two sittings. It is engaging, moves at a fast pace, and contains many interesting asides about astronomy and "xenoanthropology". The characters are believable and not just adventure story archetypes. Read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Superiour Science Fiction
Review: Wow. I just finished this book the other day. Unlike what other people have said Pohl is surely a master of his art. This is what I'd consider Hard Core Science Fiction, much like that of Asimov. The story is written in a great fashion, from the past to future, but never leaves you completely in the dark as to what's going on. I have yet to read the rest of the series, but this is the true meaning to superior science fiction. It was all worth the last line (now THAT'S how you end a book!) I wish I could give more stars.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting but puzzling
Review: I read this book with great expectations since I had heard it described as a 'classic', but I was not really happy with the experience. There is so little exposition (concerning the Heechee's for example) that one is almost through with the book before some of the important aspects of the story are understood. I did not find the 'science' very credible either. Nevertheless, I did find the main character interesting and the story does sort of grow on the reader even when all pieces of the puzzle have not fallen into place. However, I have read many, many much better pieces of science fiction - in terms of character, plot and the science aspect. This would not be one that I would consider a 'classic'.
Rating: 
Summary: An ok read, but a "grand master" No
Review: My rating of Gateway is relative to what I think are true sci-fi classics: Dune, Foundation, Snow Queen, Hyperion, etc. For Gateway to qualify in my book as a winner it must have qualities of Hugo winners: character depth&development, grand themes, innovative science, a compelling epic tale, and MOST OF ALL good writing. Gateway lacks all of that.The story weaves you through the present and past to tell you of a story of a man who hit it big discovering some ancient Heechee artifact. Gateway gives you computer psychologists, people stuck in a singularity for eternity, coal miners in Mars, etc; It all seems fascinating. Its just not cohesive. Overall, Gateway is rather dull. The elements and ideas are good, but the exposition was just too dry for my tastes. The pace of the story is slow and Pohl decribes very little of the alien environs, and even less in human emotions. The main character seemed very one-dimensional. He didn't seem guilty enough, curious enough, or greedy enough to carry the reader through. It all seemed like a very rough draft or a short story from Analog magazine as opposed to a real novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Left me wanting more... A proven concept
Review: I was captivated by the mystery of the heechee and the how Robinette made his fortune and neither was revealed to my satisfaction in this rather short novel. I was then compelled to read the rest of the series and what was revealed was how much better I liked the first book, the rest did not live up to it. Each was good and well done but the wonder I had was drained by the time I finished the series(yes,leave them wanting more, but not forever). All in all Gateway was well worth the the time spent as for the others, of course, you must read them...
Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: Finally got to read Gateway a few weeks back, and it was truely worth the read. It's structure is unique, and the ending is very satisfying.
Rating:
Summary: pop psychology produces poor plots
Review: this is a disappointing read: here is a new idea (the mysterious hechee artifact) turned into a muddled story with questionable motivation (guilt-in-your-face) and terrible structure (alternating flashbacks and current time--so there is no suspence, you see). Characters are what saves this books from taking one star.
Rating:
Summary: An all-time classic!
Review: Gateway is a great example of how good science fiction can be. The science is "hard" but there are some really interesting characters here and the concept will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished reading. Pohl is well deserving of his Grand Master status!
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended SF
Review: I bought this book because it was on my local bookstore's list of all-time best SF novels, and my opinion, it deserves to be there. The sinister mystery of the Heechee, the desperation of the central characters, and the believability of whole story (barring a few outdated computer ideas) make for one engaging yarn. I bet someone will make a 'Gateway' movie someday soon. There was already a computer game, several years ago. As for the sequels, there's a reason the second book's out of print. The author puts the Heechee mystery on the back burner, occasionally advancing it with one tired cliche or another, and concentrates on the uninteresting foibles of his characters. But Gateway is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: The Great SF Novel of the 1970s
Review: You can argue that there are other SF novels from the 1970s equal in stature to Gateway but you can't place it on a lower tier. Certainly it is the most accessible great SF novel of the 1970s. Certainly it has a great ending, especially if you like irony. Certainly it is a great cautionary tale. But most certainly of all, it is the great SF movie waiting to be made, the Casablanca of science fiction, powerful, true, frustrating beyond endurance. Just don't film the sequels. Ugh.
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