The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu

The Three Body Problem is a science fiction novel by Chinese author Cixin Liu, and it is the first novel in his prestigious Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy. The novel was originally published in Chinese in 2008, and then later in English in 2014.

The Three-Body Problem is set in China during the Cultural Revolution and features an eerily plausible science fiction premise. In the novel, astrophysicist Ye Wenjie witnesses the execution of her father at the hands of the Red Guard, and in the process the secrets of a mysterious and powerful alien civilization are revealed to her, who use forces and phenomena such as dark forest theory to attack civilizations. As a result, she is recruited by the Frontiers of Science, a quasi-governmental agency, to begin constructing a massive radio antenna to send a message to the aliens.

Ye Wenjie is soon joined by another scientist, Yan Shi, who has developed a revolutionary computer game involving a raging civil war in virtual reality, a game called Three Body. The game is based on a game theory simulator developed by the military scientist Wang Miao and is set in an alternating spiraling universe. Players take on the role of rebels fighting against the alien ‘Trisolaran’ invaders in a grueling battle of wits and will, as portions of the game take place on an alternate Earth, Trisolaris and a virtual version of the Solar System. The game is key to the success of the mission as it gives scientists critical insight into how to defeat the Trisolarans.

Ultimately the frontiers of science’s mission is successful and Ye Wenjie manages to contact the Trisolaran civilization. The civilization has endured untold destruction from a long-past war, and is headed for inevitable destruction. In order to save the Trisolaran civilization, the Frontiers of Science send a warning to the Trisolarans and propose an alliance, the goal being to win the Trisolarans time to develop technology and travel to another universe.

The novel follows an alternating timeline, going back and forth between the current events and tumultuous past events including the Cultural Revolution and the mission to contact the aliens. While the narrative explores the events of the past and present, the novel also looks to the potential of a future where alliances are made and broken between powerful forces. In the end, a new technological race is begun with dire consequences, seemingly inevitable, that can still be avoided.

The Three-Body Problem is a thrilling and thought-provoking read, featuring the powerful themes of science and progress, social change and humanity’s place in the cosmos. It is an engrossing narrative, full of moments of hope, terror, and insight. The novel offers readers a thought-provoking exploration of humanity and its place in the universe and is an essential read for science fiction fans.