Average Bufph Rating: 4.3 / 5.0
Cixin Liu
2014-11-11
The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem!
WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL
Over 1 million copies sold in North America
“A mind-bending epic.”—The New York Times • “War of the Worlds for the 21st century.”—The Wall Street Journal • “Fascinating.”—TIME • “Extraordinary.”—The New Yorker • “Wildly imaginative.”—Barack Obama • “Provocative.”—Slate • “A breakthrough book.”—George R. R. Martin • “Impossible to put down.”—GQ • “Absolutely mind-unfolding.”—NPR • “You should be reading Liu Cixin.”—The Washington Post
The Three-Body Problem is the first novel in the groundbreaking, Hugo Award-winning series from China's most beloved science fiction author, Cixin Liu.
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.
The Three-Body Problem Series
The Three-Body Problem
The Dark Forest
Death's End
Other Books by Cixin Liu
Ball Lightning
Supernova Era
To Hold Up the Sky
The Wandering Earth
A View from the Stars
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Liu's narrative is a masterful blend of hard science fiction and philosophical inquiry, presenting a cosmological perspective on the intersection of science and philosophy. The novel's portrayal of the dark forest theory serves as a profound metaphor for the complexities of interstellar politics and the ethical dilemmas inherent in the struggle for survival. The speculative rigor and philosophical depth of the narrative are both stimulating and thought-provoking, making it a compelling addition to the genre. The prose, while at times dense, is a testament to the author's imaginative prowess and his ability to craft a world that is both alien and reflective of contemporary scientific discourse.
Revisiting Liu's trilogy, it's clear why this book stands out. The intricate blend of hard science and cosmic horror is masterfully executed. The portrayal of the Cultural Revolution adds a haunting layer to the narrative, making it not just a tale of alien invasion but a profound exploration of human resilience and the ethical dilemmas of scientific discovery. The pacing was a bit uneven, but the scientific concepts and the philosophical questions posed were deeply engaging. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates the intersection of science and storytelling.
Liu's narrative is a cerebral journey through the complexities of first contact and the philosophical implications of humanity's place in the universe. The scientific rigor and meticulous world-building are reminiscent of the intricate ecosystems I appreciate in biochemical engineering. The narrative's exploration of the dark forest theory of cosmic civilization is both chilling and thought-provoking, offering a nuanced perspective on survival and ethics in the cosmos. While the pacing occasionally meandered through the socio-political intricacies of Earth's response to the alien threat, the overarching narrative arc was compelling and intellectually stimulating.
