The Three-Body Problem Trilogy by Cixin Liu
My opinion:
Bonus: Absolutely fascinating interpretation of the first book by @yogthos@lemmy.ml.
Id recommend reading the fan-written (but original author blessed!) fourth book in the series - the redemption of time. I was also unimpressed by the ending of the third book and the fourth one wrapped things up well.
Thx for the recommendation _
Ive been meaning to read these for years, ever since watching a YouTuber named Quinn talk about them. I watched the first season of the netflix series, I'm sure that kinda ruined the first book for me.
Quinn's Ideas mentione: I upvote
I feel shameful almost that spoiling series is actually what makes me interested in them, but it's hard to resist watching his videos
Yeah same. I hear about stuff that sounds like I'd love to read from him. And half the time I watch and spoil anyway.
Afaik the first season is a mix of stories from all 3 books. For example “brain” part is from 3rd book.
Good to know. I'm currently listening to The Culture series by Ian Banks. I really dig the post scarcity benevolent society.
I read the first book and I think it is the first time in decades that I have encountered actual sci-fi concepts that weren't a reworking of ideas that have been around for decades.
It's not a character driven novel but the characters are fine, mostly they're not that likeable - which in my opinion is not a reason to dislike a story - and I think they probably lose something in translation. When I was a teenager I devoured Asimov, Phillip K Dick, Heinlein etc for the concepts, compared to them the characters in 3 Body are masterfully written.
I haven't yet read the second book as I found the first few chapters a bit of a slog but I plan to pick it up again once I've finished rereading some Ursula K LeGuin
Totally agree that novel ideas about science fiction are presented. A group of humans betraying all of humanity was a nice inversion of the “one man has to save everyone” concept.
For me, the succeeding novels became increasingly boring and inconsequential.
I think a better novel that explored very similar themes is The Last Human by Zack Jordan.
Third is the best. It gets better and better imo
Disagree, as op said the 3rd book is IMHO weaker, and the ending is kinda rushed and disappointing.
I’ve read a few of his books besides the trilogy and all his characters are “terrible”.
They seem to me more the personification of a type of personality rather than real characters, while the real protagonists are the groups / factions.
I enjoyed this series. Some cool concepts, I really like the trisolarian technologies. Like the description of the probe and sophons.
I read the first book and found some of the larger "setpiece" sections to be unique and pretty compelling, but yea everything else including the characters just felt sort of thin to me; which was strange as some details felt very well-rounded and researched. started the second book and just didn't get on with it and stopped midway through. after that experience I still gave the show a try and found it to be laughably bad and awkwardly delivered, didn't get past the first episode.
True. In general I found the second book (especially 2nd part) the most interesting in the trilogy .
Yep, totally agree. I just couldn't stand the characters, especially the second time I read part of it and knew how they messed everything up.
The ending is weirdly "feel good"? Which doesn't make much sense.
I suggest that the "paper" thing was already scary enough to end the story. All the twists he added in the last chapters contributed almost nothing, in my opinion.
The series most interesting as an allegory of the competition between the US and China.
Exactly! Without this angle I would never start the 2nd book. Thank you again
I read all 3. Loved them!
Interesting ideas 💡
Fun sci fi settings
Characters were predictable
Nice mix of science and fiction
I’ve been interested in this author after I found out the show Pantheon, which I really liked, was based on his other works. (Wrong author) I haven’t had a chance to check out the three body problem, but I intend to soon.
Pantheon was incredible. Didn’t realize it was the same author
Whoops, I just double checked and I was mistaken. Ken Liu was the person whose story pantheon was based on (though it does look like he helped translate some of Cixin Liu’s works just based on the thumbnail of the post alone)
Just finished the first book, thought it was excellent and very thought-provoking.
Ye Wenjie was unpleasant, but it felt like there was good reason for that, given what happened to her and her family during the cultural revolution. Plus she was still a compelling character.
Reading this post and comments I feel relieved, because I decided not to read the books and just to watch a Netflix series. Which by the way wasn’t anyhow special or interesting at all…
There are some flaws, but the 1st and 2nd books are really gripping. The Netflix series is a free-form adaptation that does not really lends justice to the novels.
I love the 2nd book. The whole book including ending is enjoyable . For me it was binge-reading
I'm 58% through the third book and it feels like it should've ended at book two so far for me.
I loved the ending of the second book too! I was really looking forward to seeing more stories about coexistence, and honestly, it felt obvious that this deterrence state couldn’t last forever.