The Three-Body Problem

by Cixin Liu

Other authorsKen Liu (Translator.)

Ebook, 2014

Library's rating

Library's review

China during the Cultural Revolution was not a gentle place for intellectuals. Scientists were killed simply for believing in Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. At the same time, a secret military base is searching for extraterrestrial life. What happens when it makes contact, many years after the

Cultural Revolution has ended, is the basis for this book, which is the first volume of a trilogy. This book was only recently translated into English, and won the Hugo Award this year for best novel.

I’m not a big reader of what I call “hard” science fiction, and that is how I would classify this book — there is lots and lots of math and physics, most of which went straight over my head. I also have a shamefully low body of knowledge about China and Chinese culture, which put me at a disadvantage (though the translator did include some footnotes for some things that few Western readers would be likely to understand). At the same time, I really liked the parts I understood. The characters are compellingly portrayed, and the central puzzle is one that I have found myself thinking about at times between reading sessions.

Thanks to DorsVenabili for recommending this one. I know she hesitated to do so knowing that I am “iffy” on the hard stuff, but I’m glad she did. It’s good to stretch the old genre boundaries once in a while. I plan to continue with the series at some point.

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Description

With the scope of Dune and the commercial action of Independence Day, this near-future trilogy is the first chance for English-speaking readers to experience this multple-award-winning phenemonenon from China's most beloved science fiction author. Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.

Media reviews

The Q

The Three-Body Problem is a masterclass in sci-fi with a thesis, telling a complex story about the perseverance of intelligent life and the psychology of cultures in crisis.

— 2 more

NPR

The Three-Body Problem turns a boilerplate, first-contact concept into something absolutely mind-unfolding. While in the virtual world of Three Body, Miao confronts philosophical conundrums that border on the psychedelic, all while remaining scientifically rigorous. The way the book's alien race

seeks to assert its presence on Earth is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

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Kirkus Reviews

In concept and development, it resembles top-notch Arthur C. Clarke or Larry Niven but with a perspective—plots, mysteries, conspiracies, murders, revelations and all—embedded in a culture and politic dramatically unfamiliar to most readers in the West, conveniently illuminated with footnotes

courtesy of translator Liu.

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