Gateway is a science fiction novel written by Frederik Pohl in 1976, which tells the story of the discovery and initial exploitation of alien technology found in an abandoned space base inside an asteroid. This discovery has ushered in a new era of exploration and wealth, but also of danger and risk for those who dare to venture into the unknown.
On the asteroid, small spacecraft capable of transporting small groups of people to other parts of the universe are found. However, the ships' fates are unpredictable, leading to a high rate of deaths and disappearances, and prospectors (or explorers) face heavy pressure to make important discoveries.
The protagonist, Robinette Broadhead, is a retired former explorer, who recalls his experiences during his psychoanalysis sessions with a computer program called Sigfrid.
Gelle-Klara is Robinette's lover during her stay at Gateway. Her disappearance during a mission, generates a trauma to the protagonist with feelings of guilt and remorse.
This novel is a profound exploration of the human condition through the prism of science fiction. Plot-wise, it focuses on humanity's struggle to understand and utilize alien technology found in an abandoned space base. Through the character of Robinette Broadhead, the author examines themes of loneliness, guilt, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. Finally, Gateway raises questions about the cost of survival and the price of human ambition in the face of the unknown.
The score describes this musical novel in 6 situations and characters from Frederik Pohl's work instrumentalized in an octet: clarinet, trumpet, trombone, French horn, 2 violins, viola and cello.
"The discovery" represents the discovery of the asteroid filled with advanced transport machines. "A stroke of luck" the fortune of the protagonist Robinette, she wins the lottery and allows her to start her adventure. "Sigfrid" is the artificial intelligence that psychoanalyzes the protagonist throughout the novel. "Where did they go?" represents the eternal question of what happened to the Gateway builders, where did they go, why did they abandon their incredible facility? "Gelle-Klara" constitutes a romantic note to the protagonist's companion. "Prospector life" is a sort of final summary of the play where the risky life of the Gateway explorers is recounted.
I. The discovery
II. A stroke of luck
III. Sigfrid
IV. Where did they go?
V. Gelle-Klara
VI. Prospector life