Reviews

The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

miuliani56's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

emily_rivera's review against another edition

challenging informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Well... complex feelings about this one. I got a little lost in the weeds, but the story behind them was great. Not sure how much of that to lay on the translation vs. the original text. 

Side note: worth a read for the perspectives on the Cultural Revolution alone, imo. Ken Liu and the editors of the American edition did a phenomenal job putting everything into context in the American edition.

modernjam's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

baselthe2nd's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Three Body Problem had a bit of a slow start, maybe because I know nothing about the Cultural Revolution so the necessary level of Translator's Notes to get me up to speed felt like infodumping.

Then we jump into the mystery as the protagonist muddles through trying to figure out what's going on. As the mystery reveals itself, the book gets to its real point. How do we react to humanity's biggest challenges? What happens when we give up hope?

This is the kind of book worth rereading, to look through the lens of knowing what's going on. The book's blurb arguably gives away too much.

scbirch's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

tschotschi's review against another edition

informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

laurastewies's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

dumbkeks's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jonasdne's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

thebookishbear's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A book of impressive scope and depth. Many physics concepts went over my head, but the plot kept me going. Some parts are disjointed, which may be a consequence of the translation or a fundamental difference in Eastern literary style/preferences. Regardless, I do think this is a novel and informative book worth reading.