The Three-Body Problem
Every product on this page was carefully chosen. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through a link at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure.
|
Author |
Cixin Liu · Translated by: Ken Liu |
|
Genre |
Science Fiction · Fantasy · First Contact |
|
Published |
2008 |
|
Series |
Remembrance of Earth’s Past #1 |
|
Setting |
China · Earth · Space |
|
Pages |
– |
Some science-fiction stories ask what humanity might discover among the stars. The Three-Body Problem asks what might happen when something out there discovers us first.
Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem is an ambitious and thought-provoking science-fiction novel that blends physics, scientific mystery, alien contact, and the fate of humanity.
Beginning during one of the darkest periods of China’s history and eventually reaching far beyond Earth, the novel turns a seemingly impossible scientific problem into the beginning of a much larger mystery.
...Why you’ll love it
A fascinating blend of scientific mystery, alien contact, history, and huge questions about humanity’s place in the universe.
Perfect for
Readers who love ambitious science fiction, alien civilizations, scientific mysteries, first-contact stories, physics, and novels that keep you thinking long after you finish.
Where You’ll Find The Three-Body Problem on SITP
- Science Fiction Books
- First Contact Science Fiction
- Books About Alien Civilizations
- Thought-Provoking Science Fiction
- Books About the Future
What You’ll Find in This Book
- A mysterious scientific problem
- China’s Cultural Revolution
- An enigmatic virtual reality game
- Alien civilisation
- Physics and scientific ideas
- Humanity facing an unknown threat
- Questions about civilization and survival
- A story spanning enormous distances and periods of time
The Vibe
- Atmosphere: Cerebral · Mysterious · Expansive · Unsettling
- Setting: China · Earth · Space
- Mood: Thought-provoking · Mysterious · Tense · Awe-inspiring
- Best read when: You want science fiction that makes the universe feel much bigger — and humanity’s place in it much smaller.
Where Does The Three-Body Problem Take You?
The story begins in China during the Cultural Revolution, then moves between present-day Earth, scientific institutions, and a mysterious virtual world representing a distant alien civilization. As the story develops, its scope expands from events on Earth towards the wider universe.
- Explore more books set in China →
- More books set in space →
- More science-fiction books →
- More books about alien worlds →
You’ll Probably Love This If You Like…
- Hard science fiction
- First contact stories
- Alien civilisations
- Physics and science
- Scientific mysteries
- Virtual reality
- Humanity’s survival
- Stories spanning generations
- Big questions about civilization
- Thought-provoking speculative fiction
The Remembrance of Earth’s Past Trilogy
The Three-Body Problem is the first book in Cixin Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.
1. The Three-Body Problem
2. The Dark Forest
3. Death’s End
Read the Remembrance of Earth’s Past books in order →
If You Like The Three-Body Problem, Try These Books
Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
For readers who love ambitious science fiction exploring evolution, intelligence, alien worlds, and the future of civilization.
The Continuum Strain by Ali Scheers
For readers who enjoy thought-provoking science fiction, scientific ideas, humanity’s future, and stories that challenge what we think we understand about reality.
Keep Exploring
- Science Fiction Books
- First Contact Science Fiction
- Books About Alien Worlds
- Thought-Provoking Science Fiction
- Space Opera Books
- Books About the Future
Ready to Read The Three-Body Problem?
Buy the book: Amazon · Bookshop.org