The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin is, at its core, hard science-fiction, interweaving real-life principles of physics with a touch of human philosophy. With a very large cast of different characters, including scientists, military officers, and government officials, the plot takes place over a long period of time, starting with the very discovery of aliens in present-times to a far, intergalactic future.
Opening Line (in the English version): “The Red Union had been attacking the headquarters of the April Twenty-eighth Brigade for two days.”
Favorite Line: “‘But look at the three suns around us. At any moment, the plasma outer layer of one of them may begin to expand and swallow its last planet, our world. We have no other choice. We must make this gamble.’”
Why I like it: Aliens have always fascinated me, but The Three-Body Problem takes it to the next level, delving into nuanced takes on how humanity might discover and handle an alien invasion.
While reading, I found myself often amazed by Liu Cixin’s profound imagination, such as his detailed explanations of the Trisolarans’ environment (the aliens) to the different human factions formed by the news of the aliens’ arrival. I myself personally prefer character-centered stories more, but I found that I greatly enjoyed The Three-Body Problem’s approach to tackling broader themes regarding humanity even with such a huge cast of characters. Although I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Netflix adaptation, I recommend everyone interested in science-fiction to try out the novel! Before reading though, you should consider: What would the world be like if there were three suns?
Read if you like: Anything with aliens, Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky