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China's Cixin Liu "The Three-Body Problem" Sci-fi - 三体





  • 《三体II:黑暗森林》:
  • sān tǐ II: hēi'àn sēnlín
  • 《三体III:死神永生》:
  • sān tǐ III: sǐshén yǒngshēng

China's Cixin Liu launched "The Three-Body Problem" in 2008. This sci-fi novel, first in a trilogy, explores humanity's encounter with aliens from a chaotic three-sun system. The story delves into sociology, philosophy, and the dangers of interstellar contact. Translated in 2014, it became the first Asian novel to win the prestigious Hugo Award. While praised for originality and suspense, some criticize its violence and bleak outlook on humanity's future.

The Three-Body Problem is a science fiction novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin. It was first serialized in the magazine Science Fiction World from May to December 2006 and published in a single volume by Chongqing Publishing House in 2008. The novel is the first book in the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy, with the sequels The Dark Forest and Death's End published in May 2008 and November 2010, respectively. The novel won the Chinese science fiction Galaxy Award in 2006 and has become one of the best-selling science fiction novels in mainland China since its publication.

Here is a summary of the novel:

  • Author: Liu Cixin
  • Genre: Science fiction
  • Publication date: 2008
  • Series: Remembrance of Earth's Past
  • Awards: Chinese science fiction Galaxy Award


I found the concept of Sophons very interesting. Sophons, in the "Three-Body" novel, are high-dimensional technological entities created by the Trisolarans through a complex process of unfolding protons into lower dimensions and then inscribing them with information. This process was fraught with failures that led to several disasters. The Trisolarans used sophons to monitor and interfere with Earth's scientific progress, specifically targeting Luo Ji due to his potential to uncover the Dark Forest Theory, which posed a threat to Trisolaran security.

The second concept which is difficult to understand but also very interesting is the 'Wallfacer'. Wallfacers are part of Earth's strategic countermeasure against the Trisolaran threat, tasked with devising secret plans to combat the invasion. Their strategies are intended to be inscrutable, even to Earth's own population, to prevent the Trisolarans from gaining foreknowledge through sophons. Wallbreakers, on the other hand, are assigned by the Trisolarans to uncover and thwart the Wallfacers’ plans, leading to a high-stakes game of deception and counter-deception between Earth and Trisolaris.


The Three-Body Problem tells the story of humanity's first contact with an alien civilization from a three-sun system. The novel explores sociological and philosophical themes, particularly concerning humanity's place in the universe and the potential dangers of interstellar communication.

Plot:

In the early years of the Cultural Revolution, a young astrophysics student named Ye Wenjie witnesses the destruction of her family during the Red Guard movement. Filled with despair and anger, she makes contact with an alien civilization from a three-sun system. The aliens, known as the Trisolarans, are planning to invade Earth, and Ye Wenjie becomes their unwitting collaborator.

Years later, a mysterious signal begins to be transmitted to Earth from space. The signal contains a complex mathematical puzzle that scientists are unable to solve. However, a young nanomaterials researcher named Nan Luo believes that he may have found the key to decoding the signal.

Nan Luo teams up with a retired military officer named Wang Miao to investigate the signal. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they discover that the signal is connected to the Trisolarans and their plans to invade Earth.

Themes:

  • The nature of reality
  • The meaning of life
  • The dangers of technology
  • The potential for humanity to destroy itself

Reception:

The Three-Body Problem has been praised for its originality, its exploration of complex ideas, and its suspenseful plot. It has also been criticized for its portrayal of violence and its pessimistic view of humanity's future.

Awards:

  • Chinese science fiction Galaxy Award (2006)
  • Hugo Award for Best Novel (2015)
  • Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2015)
  • Nebula Award for Best Novel (2015)

Overall, The Three-Body Problem is a groundbreaking novel that has had a profound impact on the science fiction genre. It is a must-read for any fan of science fiction.



三体》是中国大陆作家刘慈欣于2006年5月至12月在《科幻世界》杂志上连载的一部长篇科幻小说,并于2008年由重庆出版社出版单行本。本书是“三体系列”(原名:地球往事三部曲)的第一部作品,续作《三体II:黑暗森林》和《三体III:死神永生》分别于2008年5月和2010年11月出版。小说于2006年获得中国科幻银河奖,并自出版后成为中国大陆最畅销的科幻长篇小说之一

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