[Ian Whates]

I actually thought both these books were very good, and particularly enjoyed the character development in Man Plus, and the way the central character's ongoing enhancements/alterations affect his relationships etc.

I agree that Gateway is far and away the best of Pohl's Heechee novels.

Okay, perhaps neither are perfect, but bear in mind when they were written -- thirty years or so ago. The pair of them brought Frederick Pohl the Nebula Award for best novel in successive years, and Gateway is one of that elite grouping of novels (along with the likes of Dune, Ringworld, Enders Game, Rendezvous With Rama, The Forever War and The Left Hand of Darkness) to have been awarded both the Nebula and the Hugo. You don't pick up either of those awards, let alone both of them, without being a bit special.