The Three-Body Problem
Read this if: You feel caught up in the petty trifles of daily life and need an alien invasion of our planet for some perspective.
The Three-Body Problem is the first book in the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy by renowned Chinese Sci-Fi author Liu Cixin. I first came across this book while reading an interview with Obama on what books mean to him, so it's a fitting first review for me! :)
In the Three-Body Problem, scientist Ye Wenjie becomes disillusioned by humanity after her family was ripped apart by the cultural revolution. While working at a top secret military base aimed at discovering extraterrestrial life, she finds a way to beam a message to the universe and does so in secret. She pleads for earth to be invaded by more advanced beings as she has given up on humans, and unexpectedly, she receives a reply from Trisolaris, a planet where life is no longer viable...
Moral struggles are rife throughout this book. Should we even try to establish is extraterrestrial life exists? Despite our deep flaws as humans, would you turn against your own species? Would you murder innocent people to conceal your goals? These struggles make our daily worries seem silly in comparison. The countdown of 400 years till the Trisolaran fleet reaches earth provides just enough tension for the story to span 3 books, as we watch humans scramble for solutions.
And the science is cool: who would think of Sophons? Trisolaris made these particles unfold into multiple dimensions and wrap our planet, so that they can monitor our actions, and more critically, distribute false information to halt scientific development so that humans would not be able to prevent their invasion. Creepy. I must admit my eyes glazed over the heavy scientific explanations, but thankfully Liu includes summary sentences after his expositions for those of us less inclined towards theory.
On a lighter note, I thought the three-body problem virtual reality game was really cool and even a non-gamer like me wants to experience it! It's amazing how the Earth-Trisolaris Organisation (i.e. pro-alien camp) used a game to recruit members. Conclusion? The complex plot and deep explorations of morality were enrapturing. Many a time, I read late into the night. I had to pause for 2 weeks before moving on to the next book (The Dark Forest) because there were so many philosophical concepts to think about. The idea of malignant aliens who want to wipe us out is downright terrifying! I take back all my complaints, just don't invade planet earth!
P.S. The second book is even better! Review coming up next!
Cheers,
Wen Ting
The Three-Body Problem is the first book in the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy by renowned Chinese Sci-Fi author Liu Cixin. I first came across this book while reading an interview with Obama on what books mean to him, so it's a fitting first review for me! :)
In the Three-Body Problem, scientist Ye Wenjie becomes disillusioned by humanity after her family was ripped apart by the cultural revolution. While working at a top secret military base aimed at discovering extraterrestrial life, she finds a way to beam a message to the universe and does so in secret. She pleads for earth to be invaded by more advanced beings as she has given up on humans, and unexpectedly, she receives a reply from Trisolaris, a planet where life is no longer viable...
Moral struggles are rife throughout this book. Should we even try to establish is extraterrestrial life exists? Despite our deep flaws as humans, would you turn against your own species? Would you murder innocent people to conceal your goals? These struggles make our daily worries seem silly in comparison. The countdown of 400 years till the Trisolaran fleet reaches earth provides just enough tension for the story to span 3 books, as we watch humans scramble for solutions.
And the science is cool: who would think of Sophons? Trisolaris made these particles unfold into multiple dimensions and wrap our planet, so that they can monitor our actions, and more critically, distribute false information to halt scientific development so that humans would not be able to prevent their invasion. Creepy. I must admit my eyes glazed over the heavy scientific explanations, but thankfully Liu includes summary sentences after his expositions for those of us less inclined towards theory.
On a lighter note, I thought the three-body problem virtual reality game was really cool and even a non-gamer like me wants to experience it! It's amazing how the Earth-Trisolaris Organisation (i.e. pro-alien camp) used a game to recruit members. Conclusion? The complex plot and deep explorations of morality were enrapturing. Many a time, I read late into the night. I had to pause for 2 weeks before moving on to the next book (The Dark Forest) because there were so many philosophical concepts to think about. The idea of malignant aliens who want to wipe us out is downright terrifying! I take back all my complaints, just don't invade planet earth!
P.S. The second book is even better! Review coming up next!
Cheers,
Wen Ting
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