Summary
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu is a groundbreaking science fiction novel. First published in China in 2008, the English translation by Ken Liu won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015—the first novel by an Asian author to receive this honor. With over 1 million copies sold in North America alone, Liu's masterpiece has been hailed as a “mind-bending epic” by The New York Times and “absolutely mind-unfolding” by NPR.
Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, The Three-Body Problem weaves together themes of first contact, alien invasion, and humanity's place in the cosmos. The story begins when signals are sent into space from a secret military project, inadvertently alerting an alien civilization to Earth's existence. What follows is a sweeping tale spanning decades as humanity grapples with the impending arrival of the technologically superior Trisolarans.
The novel's popularity has led to multiple adaptations across various media. Most notably, Netflix released an ambitious English-language television series titled 3 Body Problem in March 2024. With its intricate plot, profound philosophical questions, and hard science fiction elements, The Three-Body Problem continues to captivate readers and viewers around the world, cementing its place as a modern classic of the genre.
Plot
Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, The Three-Body Problem opens with astrophysicist Ye Wenjie witnessing her father's brutal death during a struggle session. Exiled to a secret military base, Ye discovers a method to amplify radio transmissions and secretly broadcasts a message to the stars. Years later, she receives a reply from an alien civilization on the brink of destruction, prompting her to invite them to Earth.
The story then shifts to the present day, where a string of scientist suicides alarms world governments. Nanotechnologist Wang Miao is recruited to investigate and becomes embroiled in a virtual reality game called “Three Body,” which simulates the aliens' home planet. Through the game and his encounters with a secretive organization, Wang uncovers a conspiracy involving the impending alien invasion.
Meanwhile, the alien civilization, known as Trisolaris, faces extinction due to the unpredictable orbits of its three suns. Having received Ye's message, they plan to colonize Earth as a means of survival. To impede Earth's technological progress and ensure their invasion's success, the Trisolarans deploy subatomic supercomputers called “sophons” to disrupt scientific experiments and research.
As Wang delves deeper into the mystery, he learns of the Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO), a group divided between those who welcome the aliens and those who seek to fight the invasion. The novel culminates in a raid on the ETO, exposing the full extent of the alien threat to Earth's governments. With the truth revealed, humanity must now grapple with the knowledge of an impending invasion and the challenge of defending their world against a technologically superior force.
Themes
Impact of scientific and technological advancement on society
Existential threat of first contact with alien civilizations
Conflict between individual and collective interests
Environmental destruction and ecological crisis
Legacy of political upheaval and cultural revolution
Limits of human knowledge and understanding of the universe
Moral dilemmas in the face of civilization-level threats
Setting
The Three-Body Problem is set across multiple time periods, spanning from China's Cultural Revolution in the 1960s to the early 21st century. The story primarily takes place in China, with key events unfolding at locations such as Tsinghua University in Beijing and the secretive Red Coast Base in rural China. These settings provide a backdrop for exploring the intersection of Chinese history, politics, and scientific advancement.
As the narrative progresses, the scope expands to encompass a global perspective. The novel touches on international efforts to investigate mysterious scientific phenomena and the formation of a worldwide task force to confront the looming alien threat. While China remains central to the plot, Liu Cixin skillfully weaves in elements that highlight the global implications of the unfolding events.
The story also extends beyond Earth, delving into the alien world of Trisolaris. Through the virtual reality game “Three Body,” readers are transported to this distant planet in the Alpha Centauri star system. This alien setting, with its chaotic and unpredictable environment, serves as a stark contrast to Earth and plays a crucial role in driving the plot forward, connecting the fates of two civilizations across the vast expanse of space.
Characters
Ye Wenjie: Astrophysicist who witnesses her father's death during the Cultural Revolution. She becomes disillusioned with humanity and establishes first contact with the Trisolarans. Ye later becomes the spiritual leader of the Earth-Trisolaris Organization. Her actions set the entire plot in motion.
Wang Miao: Nanomaterials researcher recruited to investigate strange occurrences among scientists. He becomes immersed in the virtual reality game Three Body and uncovers the Trisolaran conspiracy. Wang serves as the primary protagonist for much of the present-day narrative.
Shi Qiang: Gruff but insightful police detective who assists Wang Miao. Nicknamed “Da Shi,” he provides crucial support in exposing the Earth-Trisolaris Organization. His street smarts often complement Wang's scientific knowledge.
Mike Evans: Radical environmentalist and heir to an oil fortune who funds the Earth-Trisolaris Organization. He leads the “Adventist” faction that seeks humanity's destruction. Evans plays a key role in advancing the Trisolaran agenda on Earth.
Ye Zhetai: Ye Wenjie's father, a physicist killed during the Cultural Revolution. His death profoundly impacts Ye Wenjie's worldview.
Yang Dong: Brilliant string theorist and daughter of Ye Wenjie. Her suicide at the start of the novel prompts the investigation.
Ding Yi: Theoretical physicist and Yang Dong's partner. He provides important insights to Wang Miao during the investigation.
Shen Yufei: Chinese-Japanese physicist and leader of the “Redemptionist” faction of the ETO. She seeks to solve the three-body problem to save Trisolaris.
Wei Cheng: Mathematical prodigy and Shen Yufei's husband. He develops a potential solution to the three-body problem.
Pan Han: Biologist and leader of the “Adventist” faction of the ETO. He murders Shen Yufei to prevent solving the three-body problem.
Quick facts
The novel was originally serialized in Science Fiction World magazine in 2006 before being published as a book in 2008.
It won the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015, becoming the first Asian novel to win this award.
The English translation by Ken Liu contains footnotes explaining Chinese historical and cultural references for international readers.
The opening chapters set during China's Cultural Revolution were initially placed later in the book to avoid attracting government censors.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama praised the novel, calling it “wildly imaginative” and “fun to read."
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg included the book in his online book club in 2015, boosting its popularity.
The novel's concept of “sophons” - subatomic supercomputers - was inspired by real physics theories about manipulating protons.
Liu Cixin wrote 3,000-5,000 words per day when working on the novel, completing it in about a year.
The virtual reality game “Three Body” described in the novel inspired real-world game adaptations.
Netflix released an English-language TV series adaptation in March 2024, created by the Game of Thrones showrunners.
About the Author
Cixin Liu, born in 1963, is widely regarded as China's preeminent science fiction author. He rose to international acclaim with his groundbreaking novel The Three-Body Problem, which became the first Asian novel to win the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015. Liu's unique blend of hard science concepts and philosophical explorations has earned him comparisons to sci-fi luminaries like Arthur C. Clarke.
Before his writing career took off, Liu worked as a computer engineer at a power plant. This technical background heavily influences his fiction, which often grapples with cutting-edge scientific theories and their potential impacts on humanity. Liu has won China's Galaxy Award for science fiction an impressive nine times, cementing his status as a titan of the genre in his home country.
Liu's most famous work, the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy, has been adapted into various media. A Chinese television series based on The Three-Body Problem was released in 2023, while Netflix is producing an English-language adaptation set to premiere in 2024. His short story “The Wandering Earth” was turned into a blockbuster film in 2019, becoming one of the highest-grossing Chinese movies ever.
Liu has become an influential voice in discussions about technology and humanity's future. His stories often explore themes of first contact with alien civilizations, the potential dangers of advanced technology, and the long-term survival of the human species. Through his thought-provoking works, Liu continues to shape the landscape of science fiction both in China and around the world.
