Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Three-Body Problem

3.5 Stars

The stakes could not be higher in this utterly unhinged, very hard sci-fi novel. And yet I leave it feeling rather cold. Maybe this is a lost-in-translation issue, but this book is so emotionally distant from its characters. It seems to care far more about themes and science than people.

Is it technically proficient, with science that makes you feel like you're trying to solve an abstract puzzle? Yes. Will I probably forget 95% of it because I had no characters to latch onto? Also yes.

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maiahhtratchh's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I was surprised how much I liked this and how easy it was to read considering the material of the book and how heavily it relies on scientific principles. I would definitely recommend anyone who doesn’t know Chinese modern history very well read up or watch some videos on the Red Guard before reading this because it kind of just jumps into the cultural revolution without a ton of context (fair enough - people should know the basics) but after that it is very easy to follow I found. I really like the interweaving of the story and how it’s written (like the flow and storyline of jumping to Red Coast on and off) and the translation and translators notes are amazing!

I do really like that it kind of hints that its aliens throughout but in a very subtle way. The one part that kind of lost me was the very end, I didn’t really understand the particles the Trisolarians sent to earth

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sorashi's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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e_l_k's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I knew I had to read this book long before the Netflix show was announced, when I discovered that such a profound, multilayered novel had been created - not just created, but lauded - in China of all places. I could not have been prepared, however, for how intelligent, reflective, and impossibly massive the tale Cixin Liu spins in this novel is. His postscript particularly resonated with me and elucidated much of his motive and writing style, which I recommend finding if you're hesitant about the book. A very difficult read, but a fantastic science fiction novel that belongs up with the greats of the genre.

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pretzelocity's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

4.75

Fantastic sci-fi, both abstract and eerily real. A poignant reflection on scientific progress and what it means to be part of humanity. Only thing I didn’t like was the main character being a little flat, he’s just a vehicle in the story.

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dawntin's review against another edition

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challenging 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? No

3.0

This is science fiction that goes really hard on the science. The explanations were long-winded and a slog to read through. I thought the majority of the characters were flat, with Ye Wenjie being the most interesting one.

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nerdkitten's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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