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.
