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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it's enjoyable and I will probably read the sequels, it's just. ahem. I didn't like the translation too much. I liked the speculative and historical aspects of it a lot but I do feel like the characters and plot can feel a little underdeveloped. I assume that's a problem with the fact that it's a three volume series and I assumed that they could be read as standalone (I'd seen people recommend the dark forest over the three body problem if one didn't wish to read the whole series. I'm now confused)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Pregnancy
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Guess I just can’t do this level of science fiction
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I waivered between a 3.5 & 4 for this one - it has so many interesting pieces of science, social commentary, & history, but the characters are totally flat. I wasn't able to connect with any of them & often found myself having to clarify which character was which, even 80% of the way through the book. However, I was interested the entire time & although the science is wayyy over my head, it had relatable implications that kept me with the story. I definitely don't think this is for everyone.
The Three-Body Problem is a sci-fi novel that begins during China’s Cultural Revolution, where a secret military project makes contact with an alien civilization, the Trisolarans, who decide to invade Earth. As scientists and intellectuals become entangled in the mysterious Three-Body virtual reality game, they uncover a conspiracy that pits human factions against each other in preparation for the impending extraterrestrial arrival. Blending physics, philosophy, and political intrigue, the novel explores humanity’s response to an existential threat and the moral complexities of first contact.
I hate to say it, but maybe the only time when I preferred a TV series to the book - I’m sorry because I know people will say I’m wrong but I said what I said
Original, smart, and terrifying - particularly the idea of undermining science to cause distrust of it among the masses.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Three-Body Problem is a great book that I'd struggle to recommend to anyone who isn't already a fan of sci-fi as a genre. It takes its time to get going, but once it does it's full of really fun and creative ideas. On the one hand, these ideas both scratch that high concept sci-fi itch and stimulate interesting philosophical questions, leaving me curious to read on.
On the other hand however, it feels very uninterested in characters as anything but a vehicle for plot, and it leaves me wanting for more. I couldn't help but groan a little when character after character practically turned to face me and deliver important plot information, and it feels like the book would benefit a lot from a more "show don't tell" approach.
All in all though it's a good read and, assuming you can get past some of the more intense exposition, there are interesting and fun characters to follow through these insane circumstances, even if they often feel underdeveloped.
On the other hand however, it feels very uninterested in characters as anything but a vehicle for plot, and it leaves me wanting for more. I couldn't help but groan a little when character after character practically turned to face me and deliver important plot information, and it feels like the book would benefit a lot from a more "show don't tell" approach.
All in all though it's a good read and, assuming you can get past some of the more intense exposition, there are interesting and fun characters to follow through these insane circumstances, even if they often feel underdeveloped.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No