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Highwayman of the Void
Highwayman of the Void

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Highwayman of the Void is here in full — 484 sentences across 97 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Highwayman of the Void
Context Illustration Reading 1/96 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.
Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.
Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.
But Nolan had a job to do.
Nolan came back.
0:00 / 0:00
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Highwayman of the Void

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Highwayman of the Void is here in full — 484 sentences across 97 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/96 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.
Line 2
Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.
Line 3
Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.
Line 4
But Nolan had a job to do.
Line 5
Nolan came back.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Galactic adjective US /ɡəˈlæktɪk/

of or relating to a galaxy (especially our galaxy the Milky Way)

From this reading “Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.”

intrigue noun US /ˌɪnˈtriːɡ/

a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

From this reading “Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.”

Ironic adjective US /aɪˈrɑːnɪk/

humorously sarcastic or mocking

From this reading “Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.”

lanes noun US /leɪnz/

plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road

From this reading “Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.”

Luna noun US /ˈluːnə/

(Roman mythology) the goddess of the Moon; counterpart of Greek Selene

From this reading “Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.”

maze noun US /meɪz/

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading “Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.”

Pluto noun US /ˈpluːtoʊ/

a cartoon character created by Walt Disney

From this reading “Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.”

trapped adjective US /træpt/

forced to turn and face attackers

From this reading “Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

three years noun + noun

In this reading “Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.”

Once more adverb + adjective

anew

In this reading “Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.”

came back verb + particle counted as “come back”

be restored

In this reading “Nolan came back.”

All words in this reading · 58

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

blackadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

breakverbUS /breɪk/

terminate

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Nolan had a job to do.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Nolan came back.

deadadjectiveUS /ded/

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But Nolan had a job to do.

failedverbUS /feɪld/

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

GalacticadjectiveUS /ɡəˈlæktɪk/

of or relating to a galaxy (especially our galaxy the Milky Way)

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

intriguenounUS /ˌɪnˈtriːɡ/

a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

IronicadjectiveUS /aɪˈrɑːnɪk/

humorously sarcastic or mocking

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

jobnounUS /dʒɑːb/

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading But Nolan had a job to do.

killverbUS /kɪl/

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

lanesnounUS /leɪnz/

plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

LunanounUS /ˈluːnə/

(Roman mythology) the goddess of the Moon; counterpart of Greek Selene

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

mazenounUS /meɪz/

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

Nolan

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

OnceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

outlawnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔː/

someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

pastnounUS /pæst/

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

PlutonounUS /ˈpluːtoʊ/

a cartoon character created by Walt Disney

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

prisonnounUS /ˈprɪzən/

a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

pyro-burned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

spacenounUS /speɪs/

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

starnounUS /stɑːr/

(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

Steve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/

bound by or as if by an oath

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/

in a confused mass

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

trappedadjectiveUS /træpt/

forced to turn and face attackers

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Once more he was trapped in a maze of Galactic intrigue that reached far back into his past--and forward to his death.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ironic destiny had brought outlaw Steve Nolan across the star lanes to icy Pluto and tangled his life again with the man he had sworn to kill.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading Steve Nolan was three years dead, pyro-burned in the black space off Luna when a prison break failed.

Chapter 1 of Highwayman of the Void by Frederik Pohl holds 484 sentences, grouped into 97 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Highwayman of the Void contain?

Chapter 1 holds 484 sentences of Highwayman of the Void, unabridged, divided into 97 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Highwayman of the Void by Frederik Pohl exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 484 sentences, grouped into 97 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Highwayman of the Void?

Work through the 97 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 97 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Highwayman of the Void

Common questions about reading Highwayman of the Void by Frederik Pohl on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Highwayman of the Void?

Yes. All 1431 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #63189 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Highwayman of the Void is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #63189, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Highwayman of the Void take to read?

About 119 minutes of reading across 287 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Highwayman of the Void section by section

How to work through Highwayman of the Void section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of Highwayman of the Void to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Highwayman of the Void

Words and structures a reader meets early in Highwayman of the Void, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Ironic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Highwayman of the Void; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Destiny
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Highwayman of the Void; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Brought
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Highwayman of the Void; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Outlaw
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Highwayman of the Void; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.