Book Review: The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
Story Overview
The Three-Body Problem is the first novel in the acclaimed sci-fi trilogy Remembrance of Earth’s Past by Chinese author Cixin Liu. Originally published in Chinese in 2008 and later translated into English by Ken Liu in 2014, the story begins during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and expands into a sweeping tale that spans decades and civilizations.
The narrative opens with the persecution of physicist Ye Wenjie, who becomes disillusioned by humanity and ends up working on a top-secret military communications project that eventually contacts an alien civilization—the Trisolarans, from a star system beset by chaotic planetary movements referred to as the “three-body problem.” The Trisolarans respond, setting into motion a plan to colonize Earth. The effects of this cosmic communication ripple through science and society, explored through the perspective of various characters—including nanotech engineer Wang Miao—as they navigate a world shifting in response to an invisible extraterrestrial threat.
The book masterfully blends hard science, theoretical physics, philosophy, and high-stakes intrigue, all while presenting the existential anxieties of encountering a technologically superior alien race. It’s a deeply intellectual and thrilling ride that considers whether humanity, with all its flaws, should even survive in a broader cosmic context.
About the Author: Cixin Liu
Cixin Liu is one of China’s most celebrated science fiction writers. Born in 1963 in Yangquan, Shanxi province, Liu worked as a computer engineer before turning his focus full-time to writing. He has won nine Galaxy Awards (China’s highest science fiction honor) and several other prestigious global accolades, including the Hugo Award for The Three-Body Problem in 2015—the first Asian-written novel ever to win this award.
Liu is known for his big-picture thinking and epic storytelling. His work often explores the collision of humanity and cosmic forces, challenging the reader to consider our species and civilization from a higher, universal perspective. He weaves scientific precision with imaginative vision, making his books favorites among scientists and sci-fi enthusiasts alike. His influence has brought global recognition to Chinese science fiction literature.
Personal Reflection and Insights
The Three-Body Problem is more than a work of science fiction—it’s a philosophical and technical challenge to how we think about life, civilization, and our place in the universe. I was particularly struck by Liu’s ability to integrate quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and chaos theory without ever losing sight of the human drama at the core of the narrative.
Reading this book evokes a profound sense of scale and vulnerability. The unfolding of the “Three-Body” game, which simulates the unstable Trisolaran planetary system, marries scientific complexity with narrative suspense. The emotional and psychological implications for the characters—and, by extrapolation, for all of humanity—left a lasting impact on me. It’s rare to find a novel that so seamlessly merges plot, character, and cutting-edge science.
Whether you’re a sci-fi veteran or a newcomer to the genre, The Three-Body Problem is essential reading. It’s an invitation to expand your mind, question reality, and consider the fate of civilizations in a cosmic contest of survival.
Happy reading, and I will see you in the next post!