I’m saddened by the news of Frederik Pohl’s passing over the weekend. Pohl was one of the great science fiction writers of the twentieth century; he brought a wry sense of pathos to his stories that stood in opposition to the more aloof sensibilities of Asimov and Clarke. His 1977 book Gateway is one of my favorites and I often recommend it to younger readers who are curious about science fiction but aren’t sure where to begin. It’s a fun adventure story with surprising intellectual and emotional heft. In his later years, Pohl also maintained a charming and insightful blog.
Farewell, Mr. Pohl. Perhaps I’ll see you beyond the blue event horizon.