three body problem book goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20518872-the-three-body-problem
The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past, #1…
2006-05-01
Author
<div><div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7020601-mona"></a></section><section><p>461 reviews283 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1346947138">August 6, 2015</a></section><div><p><br /><b>Badly Written and Ill Conceived Science Fiction with a Few Interesting Ideas</b><p><br />I'm not sure I read the same book as everyone else. This got lots of four and five star reviews here on Goodreads. </p><p>Plus, it's been nominated for both Hugo and Nebula awards.</p><p>As often happens, I'm not with the majority opinion here. I give it two stars.</p><p>I'm not sure if the problem was the translation, or the original text, or both. (Unfortunately I only have the audio for this, so I can't quote the text here).</p><p>But I found the writing wooden, the characters two-dimensional cartoonish stick figures, and the audio narration poor. Although most of the characters are academics or intellectuals, the most believable and interesting character turns out to be a coarse and apparently ignorant policeman, She Qiang (nicknamed "Da Shi").</p><p>Most of the characters are cold and unsympathetic. A few of them commit murders for which they seem entirely unremorseful. It's impossible to care about these people.</p><p>And there are many unbelievable plot developments. For example, Mike Evans, an environmentalist, conveniently inherits his billionaire father's money at just the right time in the plot. I won't say much more about this as it's a spoiler.</p><p>This might have been acceptable in the early years of science fiction, but now it just seems like a bad novel. </p><p>As for the science...I'm not a physicist, so I can't really discuss the physics. Evidently, the three body problem has been unsolved by physicists dating back to Newton. So this part has some scientific basis. </p><p>Also, the stuff about micro circuitry was interesting.</p><p>But I have worked with computers for many years. The "human formation computer" (a computer powered by trained soldiers with colored flags) seems a bit silly to me, although nothing is impossible. I doubt if millions of humans could achieve the required precision. Interestingly, a minor character in the book who is an executive in a software company says the same thing.</p><p>Also, the author seems preoccupied with social status. And science is held up as an object of worship.</p><p>Science and technology are important, but I don't think they should be a religion (which in some quarters they seem to have become).</p><p>Anyway, here's a brief summary. </p><p>As a young girl, Ye Wenjie, an astrophysicist, witnesses the killing of her father by Cultural Revolution fanatics.</p><p>She becomes an astrophysicist herself and is recruited for a secret Chinese science/military project, Red Coast. It's years before she learns the true purpose of the project.</p><p>Meanwhile, many intellectuals are playing a video game (which requires a haptic suit), called "The Three Body Problem". The main gamer character, Wang Miao, is a professor of physics specializing in nanotech.</p><p>It turns out the game and the Red Coast project are connected.</p><p>They both relate to extraterrestrial life.</p><p>In most respects, Trisolar is behind earth technologically (they are playing out earlier eras in earth history), but in certain respects they are ahead of earth.</p><p>Trisolar swings between "chaotic eras" and "stable eras". Both of these last for indeterminate time periods. Hundreds of civilizations there are destroyed by extremes of heat and cold produced by configurations of the three suns. Residents of Trisolar dehydrate themselves to survive chaotic eras.</p><p>The game's purpose is to spread information about Trisolar among persons of high intellectual capacity and high social standing. Even though Trisolar really exists, the game plays out differently for different players.</p><p>Anyway, I won't say much more about the story. I don't want to spoil it.</p><p>If you liked <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/18007564.The_Martian">The Martian</a>, you might enjoy this. The focus is technology and science, with the prose, characters, and plot being entirely secondary to the ideas. <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/16667.Isaac_Asimov">Isaac Asimov</a>'s <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/29579.Foundation__Foundation___1_">Foundation</a> was another book where the characters and plot were subordinate to the ideas, although I think it works much better as a novel than this does.</p><p>I didn't really care for Luke Daniels' audio narration either. His voice varied from leaden in some spots to over-excited in others. And when doing foreign accents, he either exaggerated them, or in some cases, got them wrong. </p><p>I'd say pass on this one, except that lots of others seem to love it. </p></p></div><section><ul></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/30181442-yun"></a></section><section><p>505 reviews18.1k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4417492317">January 20, 2023</a></section><div><p>I'm going to call it right now. Even though I only just finished book one, I'm certain <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> will go down as my favorite sci-fi series of all time.<p>This book blew my mind so thoroughly that it leaves only destruction in its wake. Where could Liu Cixin have possibly come up with all of these ideas and concepts? No wonder everyone says this is wildly imaginative. Even a single one of the ideas in here would have sufficed for a book of its own, but to put them all together into a single cohesive epic tale is absolutely jaw-dropping.</p><p>The pacing is relentless and the surprises just keep coming. In fact, it has more twists and turns than most mysteries and thrillers I've read. Not only is the story utterly riveting, but it's also insightful and thought-provoking, touching upon science, politics, philosophy, and history. I found myself glued to the pages. I wanted to inhale the story as fast as I could, but I had to slow myself down periodically to reread and fully absorb all that the book was trying to tell me.</p><p>This is my favorite type of science fiction, one that puts science front and center and unabashedly celebrates everything about it. There's no handwaving, no hocus pocus. Every point brought up is eventually explained via actual science in ways that made complete sense. And what ingenious explanations they are, sure to stun and amaze any reader.</p><p>I found the initial pages, set during the Cultural Revolution, to be enlightening. This was the defining event of my parents' generation, yet they hardly talk about it. How do you put into words the frenzy that overtook a whole country, such that science and learning were denounced, and friends turned on friends, neighbors turned on neighbors? It's like a fever burned through the population, and left famine, trauma, and destruction in its wake. This emotionally fraught experience influences all who went through it, including the characters in this book.</p><p>With translations, there's always the fear that some vital but intangible part of the story will be lost. And this is especially the case when the two languages in question do not share a common linguistic ancestor, so translating between them is not as simple as one-to-one. In the translator's notes at the end of the book, Ken Liu mentions that he was cognizant of this and tried hard to preserve not only the story, but also the cadence and feel of the Chinese language and culture in his translation. I think he did an excellent job.</p><p>One thing to note is that the official book blurb is quite short for this story, but in my opinion, even that gives away too much. This is a book best experienced blind, so if you're going to read it, don't look up anything about it ahead of time. </p><p>What a tremendous way to start the trilogy. My expectations for the remaining two books are sky high, and I'm assured by everyone I know who has already read them that they will be met and exceeded. I have no doubt only goodness awaits me.</p><p>~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><b>See also, my thoughts on:</b><br />#2. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4479757181">The Dark Forest</a><br />#3. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4592163977">Death's End</a></p><p> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4766185160">The Cretaceous Past</a><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/30181442?shelf=favorites">favorites</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/25375513-rick-riordan"></a></section><section><p>Author <i></i>343 books397k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1552711376">February 18, 2016</a></section><section><div><p>Adult sci-fi. By Chinese author Cixin Liu, The Three-Body Problem takes a classic scenario -- contact with alien life -- and cranks up the sinister factor to maximum. The story begins during the Cultural Revolution when young Ye Wenjie watches her scientist father beaten to death by fervent revolutionaries. She is sent off for hard labor at a re-education camp, but by a strange twist of fate gets a chance to work at a top secret government project seeking out extraterrestrial life. Fast forward to the present, when nanotech scientist Wang Miao is snatched up by cops and brought to a secret meeting of military officials who are fighting an unnamed enemy -- some force that is trying to destroy the roots of human science and technology by killing scientists or driving them to suicide. Wang goes undercover in this strange conspiracy when he started playing a virtual reality game called The Three-Body Problem, which only the most brilliant scientific minds can hope to beat.<p>The premise is fascinating and well-grounded (as far as I can tell) in hard science. The book raises haunting questions: Do we really *want* to contact other civilizations? If you had the chance to pull the plug on the human race, would you do so? Is science truly objective and provable, or is it simply the best we can do given our limited understanding of four dimensions? </p><p>I found the novel a bit of a struggle until about halfway in. There are a lot of characters, and many of them seem like ciphers to advance the plot or mouthpieces to espouse ideas rather than living breathing people. Sometimes the prose seems like the summary of a novel rather than a novel. However, the ideas are compelling. This is about as close to "mind-blowing" as any book I've read. If you like big ideas and fantasy based on hard science, this is worth a read.</p></p></div><div><p>This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.</p></div></section><section><ul></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/58160628-emily-books-with-emily-fox"></a></section><section><p>525 reviews56.7k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2088382920">August 4, 2020</a></section><div><p><b>PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT</b> <p>I just rated a book 5 stars. </p><p>Just read it.</p><p>**Update now that I've read the whole trilogy!**</p><p>This is now one of my all time favorite sci-fi series. The concepts are brilliant and I fear that I'll never find anything this mind-blowing.</p><p>With that said... the books are quite sexist (the first half of the first two books are quite slow and painful) but I still recommend them if you can stomach it.</p><p>They're incredibly science heavy but anyone interested in space and first contact with aliens needs to read this!</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/58160628?shelf=audiobooks">audiobooks</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/58160628?shelf=favorites">favorites</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/78485297-mario-the-lone-bookwolf"></a></section><section><p>742 reviews3,399 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2321613612">May 7, 2022</a></section><div><p>Comparing Cixin to Arthur C Clarke, as the press did, might be appropriate. <p>Reread 2022 with extended review</p><p>Hostility towards science ruins everything<br />Ignorance and especially ideology fueled hate against science, and especially scientists who were torchbearers of the unwanted, enemy ideology are a certain way to ruin your world domination plans. No matter if Catholic church, the Nazis with their weird physics ( infodump, no required reading, and uchronia overkill: if they wouldn´t have been antisemitic, but instead anti communism, anti American capitalism, anti Muslim, etc., they would possibly have had the correct science to first build nuclear bombs. Because many people at the Manhatten project would have stayed in Germany) or, in this case, the Chinese. As soon as one bans certain science and doesn´t allow research, degeneration sets in, and keeping pace with more enlightened competitors becomes impossible. Cixin shows the historic examples and contrasts them with near future science, showing how far we came in such a short period of time thanks to the rise of science, relativizing the depressing beginning. </p><p>Epic, flowery language, which is unusual for the genre <br />First, this seems more like an extremely well written, average nonfiction novel, because the science comes slowly (but boy, how it finally comes), and all the metaphors and character fused and focused exposition make one as interested in the characters as in the story itself, which is amazing for a genre that often prioritizes plot and worldbuilding over protagonists. Especially towards the second half and end, this acceleration leads to a culmination of both style and world that is a rare, exceptional enjoyment in the genre.</p><p>Unique ideas<br />I can´t really mention much without spoilers, but this work has some mindboggling, ingenious ideas I´ve hardly ever seen in other sci-fi works, not even close. It may be Cixins´technical background that made him finetune such pearls of the genre into his work and, if I got it right, even added some innuendos to Chinese history and military tactics, although I am far from sure und too unknowing to definitively confirm that conjecture. </p><p>Drawing a (big) history picture of ones´ country<br />Some other authors, I am too lazy and procrastinating to remember and name them here, did already use the real, alternative, future, alternative past, etc history of their countries to give great edutainment lectures of the sociocultural, epigenetic evolution and that it could have been completely different, often just decided by one improbable random event, a prodigy inventing or discovering something, or a lunatic hate preacher made god king, leader, or elected democratic president, whatever the difference is. ( Personal opinion: It´s not as if voting all few years and having a work environment that´s just slavery with extra steps, and sometimes even free social services in Europe at least still, speaks of true sociocultural evolution. See freaking end of history drivel. It´s just less inhumane and politically correct, but it stayed a de facto dictatorship.) That´s not just entertaining, but a great way to learn more about foreign cultures too, especially with the subtle criticism and satirizing element sci-fi loves to add to everything in general and which makes it the best genre of them all.</p><p>Maybe a bit too hard for the beginning and average sci-fi reader<br />One prone to the genre and used or even in some theoretical concepts will enjoy it, for others it might be a bit too much, especially because so many protagonists are scientists too to make the infodumpy technobabble Elysium more credible and better and easier to plot. Skimming and scanning the theoretical, as in other less hard sci-fi works, isn´t a solution in this case too, because everything is so interconnected that one won´t get the whole picture anymore without it.</p><p>Old perspective before reading the whole trilogy:<br />Can´t wait to see how the other parts are, especially regarding its outstanding role in the genre<br />What I´ve heard, Cixin did an amazing job in connecting the whole trilogy, especially regarding the scientific, main tropes fueling this new milestone of the genre. With other of my favorite genre authors, whose perfect deliveries I do already know and love, this wouldn´t be so exciting, but because of the special, fresh taste of this first piece of orgiastic sci-fi nerdgasm, I am so looking forward to reading the next parts as unprepared and curious as I could be. And, without being narcissistic (again), this means something.</p><p>New view after having been enlightened and proselytized to just believe in the almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster:<br />This trilogy owns close to everything just aspiring to be a big sci fi we´re so small in comparison moment. If you can handle this epic triple, you´ll begin a never ending love affair with the best genre to rule, vivisect, and cosmic body horror them all.</p><p>Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique: <br /><a href="https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/TheThreeBodyProblem">https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...</a></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/78485297?shelf=cixin-liu">cixin-liu</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4213258-bradley"></a></section><section><p>Author <i></i>5 books3,849 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1118525991">September 19, 2015</a></section><div><p>From the opening, I was struck by how much history I didn't know about China's Cultural Revolution. It might be obvious to anyone growing up in those parts, of course, but I was almost lost in that story long before I saw that there was anything sci-fi about the novel. This is a good thing. It speaks of good writing.<p>And then things changed. I became a frog in a pot. Small hints accumulate, surrounded by mathematical problems both fundamental and curious. </p><p>And then the MC's sanity is questioned. It's an open question that both the reader and the character must answer.</p><p>And then I got an idea. I could easily make the argument that all scientists in this novel are actually Main Characters, and indeed, that theory only becomes crystal clear later in the novel. It was a delight.</p><p>The novel is full of scientist suicides, damn odd hallucinations, all the way to a fantastic virtual reality game that draws intellectuals from around the world before devolving into a suggestive epic space opera featuring some of the most interesting aliens I've read about in a LONG time.</p><p>The worldbuilding is top-knotch-squared.</p><p>The clever uses of technology are the true highlights of the novel, and I'm upset. Why? Because the translations and publications for the next two novels are still in the future. Why am I still upset? Because I can hardly find the other works for this great author.</p><p>A grandmaster of Chinese sci-fi? I can't deny the fact. And just because I can't compare to other science fiction masters of Chinese literature is a null point. I am already a fanboy. I'll be revelling in every work I can get my hands on.</p><p>This is a fantastic example of how great science fiction can be. Truly inspiring.</p><p>Update.</p><p>This novel now a Hugo Nominee for 2015 because of the translation and introduction into the English-speaking market. It is a last minute replacement for Marco Kloos's Lines of Departure that was bravely self-removed due to the Sad Puppy 3 controversy. It wasn't his fault, and he got caught up in some seriously not-cool BS with this year's Hugo. He should be treated like any other Hugo Nominee. With respect and awe for the accomplishment it is, even though he withdrew.</p><p>On the other hand, after finding out that Three Body Problem took his place, I have to admit that it couldn't have happened to a better novel. I loved this one. It was really fantastic and it had everything I like to see in seriously good fiction.</p><p>This one might truly be my top pick for the year. It might be the one I cast my ballot on. But first, I need to read a few more Nominees. I take this very seriously. We bring our levels of joy and dedication to the ideas we thrive on. Awards are only as good as we make them. I refuse to let the Hugo become a quagmire.</p><p>Let the best novel win!</p><p><a href="http://danrymes.blogspot.ca/">Brad K Horner's Blog</a></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4213258?shelf=fanboy-goes-squee">fanboy-goes-squee</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4213258?shelf=history">history</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4213258?shelf=mindfuq">mindfuq</a> </ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1836077-lightreads"></a></section><section><p>641 reviews520 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1170404925">January 16, 2015</a></section><div><p>A scientist is drawn into a conspiracy involving a computer game and an old research station and extra-terrestrial life.<p>Translated from the original Chinese. I have to admit I read this book mostly because the way it's being talked about made me really uncomfortable. There's the contingent who want to treat it as some sort of referendum on the Chinese science fiction landscape, or Chinese literature in general, as it was a wildly successful bestseller there. Yeah, okay, tell you what – go take a look at this week's <i>NY Times</i> bestseller list and pick out the book we should translate into other languages for readers to judge as a referendum on all of American writing of that genre. I'll wait. And then there's the way the translator responded to criticism by making a lot of sweeping statements about Chinese writing that I have very little doubt, even in the absence of any personal expertise, are dubious at best. This book is occupying some weird space in reviewerland, is what I'm saying.</p><p>So I read it, and. Um. It's not very good. Flat characters, some shall we say eyebrow raising decisions regarding women, a lot of <i>but humans don’t human that way</i>, etc. Which kind of figures, since if notions of <i>best seller</i> can be translated, then this book is Chinese Tom Clancy. So . . . there you go.</p><p>It did intrigue me on behalf of other Chinese science fiction, though. The cultural context of this story – the asides about how communism impacted intellectual thought, for example – interested me more than anything else.</p><p>I generally have a pretty good nose for these things, though, and I smell movie deal, for what that's worth.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1836077?shelf=fiction">fiction</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1836077?shelf=science-fiction">science-fiction</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/59458347-petrik"></a></section><section><p>655 reviews39.9k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1967162613">September 29, 2017</a></section><div><p><b>3.5/5 Stars<p>The Three-Body Problem may be one of the most critically acclaimed Sci-Fi novels of our modern age, and in my opinion, it truly deserved the recognition for all the Sci-Fi ideas and narrative, but not for the characterization.</p></b><p>The Three-Body Problem, the first book in <i>Remembrance of Earth’s Past</i> trilogy by Cixin Liu, was actually something I never heard of despite its apparent popularity until I stumbled upon an interview with Barack Obama. He stated that this is one of his favorite novels, Mark Zuckerberg agreed and said the same thing, and that made me decided to give it a try. Plus, the cover for this trilogy is gorgeous. Most of you probably already know that TTBP won Hugo Award for best novel in the year 2015, it also has been nominated for many other Sci-Fi awards and there’s an upcoming movie in production already.</p><p><b>Pictures: Movie posters of "3Body: Once Upon a Time in Earth". Artworks by Jay Wong</b></p><p></p><p></p><p>The question is: does it deserved all the praise it received? Mostly yes, especially when it comes to how the book discussed a lot of relatable topics with our current societies; mostly science (d’oh), religions and human nature.</p><blockquote><b><i>“Even if God were here, it wouldn’t do any good. The entire human race has reached the point where no one is listening to their prayers.”</i></b></blockquote><b><i>
 </i>
</b><p>As far as we know, humans have been reaching for extraterrestrial contact forever now; there’s been plenty of “sightings” or conspiracy theories but none of them are concrete proof. I’m a believer that there are another life forms outside of Earth, and there’s no doubt it will be a groundbreaking discovery when they truly make that first contact with our world. As exciting as that sounds, humans tend to forget that when they do appear, how EXACTLY will humanity react? The Three-Body Problem revolved mostly around this question and the concept of The Three-Body Problem equation—that hasn’t been solved—were used to explore motivation and behavior of humans in the face of the unknown.</p><blockquote><b><i>“It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.”</i></b></blockquote><b><i>
 </i>
</b><p>The book shone light upon many historical events of China’s Cultural Revolution and several philosophies of the well-known scientists such as Einstein. The entire plot was told in two different timelines, Cultural Revolution and our modern age, both in China; the scope of the story, however, is massive. There’s a lot of limitation to what I can talk about here because the main strength of this book lies within its mystery; telling you more of the plot will definitely change your expectation, in fact, I probably already said more than enough.</p><p>One thing you should definitely know though is that this is a hard Sci-Fi, and I will not claim to understand all the scientific terms in this book. I’m not a genius or science freak here, some scientific terms did go over my head. Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite good at envisioning and understanding Sci-Fi in my head, but only when it comes to something that has to do with pewpewpew (laser gun), ngungggggggg (lightsaber), boom boom wooshhh (space opera) or alternate reality stuff; the terms that go over my head mostly have to do with physics and scientific calculations. For someone who on a good day got 7/100 (don’t you dare laugh at me) on their physics final exam back in high school, stating that I understood all the scientific terms here is equivalent to saying an iguana invented iPhone; impossible. </p><p>Now, enough talking about how dumb and dumber I am with physics, my point is, despite some terms I failed to understand, I was never bored throughout my time reading this book. I don’t think it’s fair for me to judge the prose, especially knowing that this is a translated work but in my opinion, Ken Liu did an excellent job on the translation. Cixin/Ken Liu explained the required terms in understanding the plot as easy as possible, making sure that the readers fully understand the plot at least. The reason I say this book is slightly overrated is not due to the plot or scientific terms; how can I possibly judge something as overrated from something that I don’t fully understand? That’s nonsense. However, it's because of the weak characterizations.</p><p>This book is written in third person limited omniscient narrative and this direction is apt for the story that Cixin Liu tried to tell; with a lot of changes in locations and timelines combined with the withholding of information, they provided a sense of mystery that compelled the reader to continue. However, the downside of this is that the characters felt flat and devoid of feelings because we never truly get inside the person’s head. Characterizations are the most important factors in the books I read, and this book suffers from great characters to love. In fact, I'm fully disconnected from the characters that I can’t even bring myself to care whether they die or not.</p><p><b>Overall, The Three-Body Problem is a great book filled with imaginative ideas and intriguing plot but fell short due to its weak characterizations.</b> If you’re a fan of heavy scientific terms, this is truly a book you must try to read. I can’t wait to see what the sequel has in store because the ending of this book made me realize that this is just a beginning to an epic Sci-Fi tale.</p><p><i>You can find <b><a href="http://booknest.eu/reviews/26-pat-reviews/821-thethreebodyproblem">this</a></b> and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy &amp; Sci-Fi reviews at <b><a href="http://booknest.eu/review/patrick">BookNest</a></b></i></p></p></div><section><ul></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1143969-julie"></a></section><section><p>933 reviews240 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1062421201">July 10, 2015</a></section><div><p>I'm really waffling between whether to rate "did not like it" vs. "it was okay" -- I very, very rarely give out one stars, and it feels uncharitable because it was a book I <i>wanted</i> to like more than I did, and I want more diverse SF, but... no. I've consciously created a "not my cup of tea" shelf for this very book, however, because a lot of people seem to have liked it. Is this what hard SF is like? In which case, it reminds me of similar "I am completely unable to get interested in this" problems I had with Kim Stanley Robinson last year.<p>I actually started this book months ago, but wasn't feeling it after the first chapter and stopped. I picked it up again now, stubbornly ploughing through because of the Hugos, and I kept waiting for it to suddenly turn around and wow me, but... it never did. At the 80% mark, I was still waiting.</p><p>Learning more about the Chinese Cultural Revolution was fascinating, and I liked seeing its colossal effects on Ye, plus the feeling of 'science will save us' that permeates the society. Liu Cixin's imagination of an alien society was really good and unique (dehydrate! dehydrate!).</p><p>Da Shi is, hands-down, the best character of this entire book. I much rather wanted to read his tales of fighting crime, with his seedy, no-bullshit, 'I'm not a <i>good</i> cop, but I'm a great cop' approach. He livened up every scene he was in! Instead, this was so much like reading a physics textbook.</p><p>That's about where my praise ends, because I prefer emotional character-driven plots with some action, whereas this is a science-driven impersonal plod. Who the hell is Wang, our protagonist? After one single scene with his wife and son (!), they literally disappear for the rest of the book, and I couldn't tell you what his personality is like. He's just the viewfinder through which we see information unfold -- and unfold it does, with just reams and reams of exposition and info-dumps.</p><p>The prose is dull. I didn't so much mind it being stilted, and the dialogue carrying the remnants of its original language (a conscious effort on the translator Ken Liu's part), but it's just <i>such</i> a trudging plod. I highlighted a few more poetic passages that I really liked, but for the most part it leans more to clinical and dry.</p><p>I <i>really</i> liked the virtual reality chapters, but after all that buildup, I feel like it just fizzles out and absolutely, literally, nothing has been accomplished by the end of the book. With where the plot goes, the entire book honestly just feels like a prologue for the sequel.</p><p>I feel like the Goodreads blurb was pretty awfully off-base, touting that it has "the scope of <i>Dune</i> and the commercial action of <i>Independence Day</i>". I... what??? There is literally ONE action scene, it occurs about 90% through the book, and the characters aren't actively involved, just watching on from afar. And while the alien world/society is interestingly-written, it is nowhere near the scope of Dune.</p><p>Without characters with real depth to get attached to, I just never got hooked into this book. Ye has so much potential, but I feel like she wasn't fleshed out enough either -- people's more interesting psychological choices are left unplumbed/unexplored, meaning that I'm left with behaviour that I don't really buy, that doesn't seem natural for a human to do. Specifically: </p><p>The chronology and pacing is all over the place, too, hopping back and forth in time and as characters tell each other rambling stories. It's slow and sedate and takes forever to get anywhere -- the blurb trumps up , but even that doesn't happen in the book at all, and indeed, , so what in the world is the point of this story?</p><p>I mean, I get the point. I get that it's about humans pitted against humans, and the divisive cracks that can tear us apart even without the physical presence of an Other.</p><p>But man, I just couldn't bring myself to care. I'm so sorry, Cixin. I wanted to love it.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1143969?shelf=asia-or-aapi">asia-or-aapi</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1143969?shelf=hugo-awards-2015">hugo-awards-2015</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1143969?shelf=in-translation">in-translation</a> </ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/22189348-adina"></a></section><section><p>780 reviews2,955 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1501022609">September 6, 2017</a></section><div><p>The Three-Body Problem was the best SF novel that I’ve read so far. Admittedly, I did not read a lot of them. However, I can recognize when I encounter a special gem and this one definitely is unique in its world building. Moreover, it is very well written (and translated) which, unfortunately, it is not always the case with SF novels, especially with the classics. <p>The first chapters take place in the Chinese Cultural revolution and I thought to be a harrowing experience which perfectly introduced the reader in the oppressive atmosphere of the time. I do not want to say too much of the plot because I believe it is better for each of you to explore it. I went in almost blindly and I appreciated the opportunity to discover by myself how the plot develops. What I can tell is that you will read an amazing blend of Chinese history, mythology, hard SCi-Fi and well crayoned characters. If I were to reveal anything I guess this quote from the first part of the novel is pretty suggestive. </p><p>“It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.”</p><p>The novel can be hard on science sometimes but the aspect did not lower my enjoyment, although I was overwhelmed by some explanations as my background is mostly economics. Despite some long science passages, the narration flows beautifully and I was not bored for one second. </p><p>I am looking forward to reading the next volume in the series and I hope it will not suffer from the 2nd books syndrome. </p><p>**********<br />Excellent! One of the best SF books I've read. Review to come.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/22189348?shelf=china">china</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/22189348?shelf=fantasy-sf">fantasy-sf</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/22189348?shelf=favorites">favorites</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3672777-nataliya"></a></section><section><p>714 reviews11.4k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5113202767">December 18, 2022</a></section><div><p>This is when using a few "Expectations vs. Reality" memes could have come in handy, actually. Because I remember that this book made quite a splash in the SFF world (netted a Hugo, actually) and the reviews from my very respected GR friends are overwhelmingly glowing. <p>So maybe I just read it wrong, whatever that means. But…</p><blockquote> 
</blockquote><p>The story set-up was actually interesting, and there were some ideas that were worth exploring: the startling naivete of believers in a bright shiny idea, and the dangers of one person making decisions that affect the whole humanity, as well as implications of science breakdown. But it is the damn execution that ruined it for me. </p><p><b>It's the passive detachment that persists through the entire narrative.</b> Not only do things mostly- *just happen* to our main POV person (like those old 19th century novels where the protagonist serves just as our eyes into the story with not much agency and mostly observational powers) but there's a strange lack of emphasis on events and revelations that by all means should elicit any sort of strong response. It seems that the same amount of emotion is spent on a video game as there is on murders and possibility of alien invasion. </p><p>And the wooden, stilted, dry and choppy writing does not help.</p><blockquote> 
</blockquote><p>Things are basically just chugging along from A to B to C with no drive behind it. At one point I said to my buddy reader that <b>I have more inner turmoil and emotion picking a pair of socks to wear for the day than a character in this book realizing that truly creepy things are happening</b>. And characters’ conclusions and motivations make ZERO logical sense to me besides that the plot needs them to think a certain way. </p><p>It's a detached monotony with an odd mechanistic cadence to it, and at times I was wondering why I am supposed to care when even the characters don't.</p><blockquote> 
</blockquote><p>And then, close to the end, we get a sudden boatload of exposition with extra exposition on top, and my eyes rolled so hard I think I strained a muscle. It was almost as bad as a moustache-twirling villain explaining the plot at the end trope.</p><p>And in the end I realized I just didn’t care, and although this book is nothing but a prologue into a larger story, it seems, I really don’t care enough even to read the entire trilogy synopsis on Wikipedia.</p><p><b>2 stars, being generous.</b> At least the science bits were almost cool, although exceedingly dry.<br />————</p><p><i>Buddy read with <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19622073.Alexander_Peterhans">Alexander Peterhans.</a> Maybe we will have better luck next time.</i></p><p>——————</p><p>Also posted on <a href="https://nataliyabookblog.wordpress.com/2022/12/17/the-three-body-problem-by-liu-cixin/">my blog</a>.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3672777?shelf=2022-reads">2022-reads</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3672777?shelf=hugo-nebula-nominees-and-winners">hugo-nebula-nominees-and-winners</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/48483884-michael-finocchiaro"></a></section><section><p>Author <i></i>3 books5,419 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2001737886">February 15, 2020</a></section><div><p>Fascinating piece of scifi by Chinese writer Cixin Liu. A surprising mix of nanoscience, string theory, and astrophysics and religion with the Cultural Revolution as a background, the story takes its protagonist Xiao Wang (the nanoscientist) into an adventure that will impact all of humanity. I liked Ye, the astrophysicist, and found Du Shi, the policeman, funny and well-drawn. As for the action and plot, it is easy to read although I got a little lost in the pure science aspects once or twice (despite being an engineer and having dabbled in quantum mechanics years ago). I am excited about reading the next two books (which I suspect will be a little like the Foundation Trilogy by Asimov) and hope you'll also enjoy this one. Note that it won the Hugo award in 2015, kind of a geek's Pulitzer if you will.<p>Having finished the entire series, I have to say that it does actually get better and better as it evolves. The narrative structure of this first book is a quite different than the other two but all are extraordinary.<br />I am reading the Cixin Liu-approved fan extension, The Redemption of Time by Baoshu now, and it is really good but you have to have finished the trilogy to follow it.</p><p>Fino's Cixin Liu and other Chinese SciFi and Fantasy Reviews<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2001737886?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">The Three Body Problem</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2001737901?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">The Dark Forest</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2001737924?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">Death's End</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2160451709?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">The Wandering Earth</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3025780859?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">Supernova Era"</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3058287023?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">Ball Lightning</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2256217008?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">The Redemption of Time (Fan Fiction approved by Cixin Liu)</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2107808726?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">Invisible Planets (Short Story Anthology)</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2015371117?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2015371116?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">The Grace of Kings</a><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2015371198?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1">The Wall of Storms</a></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/48483884?shelf=chinese-21st-c">chinese-21st-c</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/48483884?shelf=favorites">favorites</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/48483884?shelf=fiction">fiction</a> </ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/60866073-baba"></a></section><section><p>3,504 reviews738 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4727612877">May 21, 2022</a></section><div><p><b>Remembrance of Earth's Past #1</b>: This book <b>won the 2015 Hugo Award for Fiction</b> despite being originally published in Chinese/Mandarin(?) in 2006! How good does a book have to be to sweep all before it at the Hugo's nearly a decade after being first published? Well. It would have to be a book as good as this one! Nanotech engineer Wang Miao is more or less compelled to infiltrate what appears to be a secret cabal of scientists, compelled by a secret military(!) alliance between NATO, the USA and China! While undercover Wang gets absorbed with the online-immersive game 'The Three Body Problem' a game that seeks to build civilisation in a chaotic world with three suns! It begins to dawn on Wang and his betters, that this game might be much much more than it seems!<br /><br />A book that starts with one of the key character's Cultural Revolution trauma leading to them being exiled to a scientific research base, a base set up to reach out to possible intelligent life in the universe, was in itself astounding, interesting and uber page turning, until I realised that that was the backstory and just the opening salvo of what I feel beyond doubt will be the greatest speculative fiction / science fiction series I've read since Dan Simmons' <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/3943.The_Hyperion_Omnibus__Hyperion_Cantos___1_2_">The Hyperion Omnibus</a>. This book takes a frank and honest look at the traumatic impact of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on the science community; what could happen to 'real police' forced to serve under authoritarian regimes; how science would most likely reach out to the stars; how the modern world breeds apathy; and most of all beautifully using real and theoretical physics to illustrate questioning the rationale that far advanced extraterrestrial intelligent life would necessarily be any more enlightened than humankind!<br /><br />It was after reading <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4417492317">Yun's review</a>, and knowing Yun is as wary as I, to award Five Stars and super-praise a read, that I knew that this book had to be something special, and it so was! What I can only really say is just read it. Page for page the most innovative, awe inspiring, far reaching, outrageous take on hard science/speculative fiction I've ever read, a book that dares to bring science itself to the front of storytelling and making it the biggest 'character' in the story, and somehow doing it so well! One. God. Damn. Fine. Read. 10 out of 12, Five Star Read.<br /><br /><b>2022 read</b></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/60866073?shelf=sci-fi-beam-me-up">sci-fi-beam-me-up</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/60866073?shelf=spec-fi-i-guess">spec-fi-i-guess</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5448792-b-schrodinger"></a></section><section><p>305 reviews642 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1084229569">June 30, 2022</a></section><div><p>Originally published in it's native Chinese in 2008, The Three-Body Problem has now been translated for English speakers to read and enjoy. It is the first volume in a hugely successful SF trilogy that has proved to be a popular seller in China.<p>No matter what our opinions are on the government of China, we all know that they have a history of controlling the media. It was not so long ago that I was reading articles on how even SF stories may not be published if they contain certain themes or SF tropes that the government does not approve of such as time travel. Yet here we have a novel that Tor are willing to bring to an international English audience. So is it a matter of government restrictions being exaggerated or is it proof that art defies restrictions?</p><p>While I can think about these questions I do hit a brick wall after a short while. I'm no geography or political buff. I have no ideas on these matters. But I do know quite a bit about SF and I know a little more about science and I feel that these are the most import factors when reading The Three-Body Problem. Sure it would have been great to know what the hell was going on in those early chapters during the 'cultural revolution', but I guess I was lucky to follow the story when it delved a bit into quantum mechanics and orbital mechanics. And while a reader without this knowledge would not have a problem following the story at all and could easily skim those sections, they definitely were rewarding and offered a greater depth to the story. And I'm sure that someone with a knowledge of modern Chinese history would have felt the same.</p><p>Three-Body is essentially the story of two scientists, Ye Wenjie, an engineer working in a top-secret military base during the 1970's, and Wang Miao, a nanotechnologist in current day China. While events in current day China unfold for Wang, the story of Ye is told in alternate sections. The nature of the top-secret base is uncovered during the intricate story and don't worry, it's not a bad X-Files ripoff at all.</p><p>But I did find Wang's story much more interesting and frightening. It explores the idea of the failure of science. What happens if over time scientific endeavours consistently defy any conjectures or postulates, refuse to comply with any previously known laws and just keep on giving random and seemingly supernatural outcomes? It may sound a bit trivial here, but the more you think about it, the more frightening it is. And the author explores this and truly did convey the horror to me as the reader. The events of this book had me tense and on-edge at several points.</p><p>There really are some fascinating ideas pursued in this book and it is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking read in the style of SF greats such as Kim Stanley Robinson and Asomiv. The style of interchanging stories with historical aspects, as well as some of the style did remind me of Murakami, but I have no idea if this is being literature racist as this is the only other Asian book I have read other than those by Murakami. It also had echoes of Neal Stephenson in that it was an intricate and baroque plot full of subterfuges and technical writing. But maybe I'm just projecting two of my favourite authors onto another book that I enjoyed.</p><p>So here is one reader that is converted to the forthcoming volumes and possibly converted to reading more international SF. Both Stanislaw Lem and the Strugatsky brothers failed to take my interest, but Liu Cixin has managed to produce something that I really did enjoy and also made me think big thoughts.</p><p>September 2016 Reread:</p><p>Nothing has changed, but I put my star rating up. It is a special read that I enjoyed just as much the second time around. Yes, there were very little surprises, but I appreciated the pacing and understood more about the characters and the history. </p><p>I saved my reading of Book 2 and 3 until they were all out. I'm too old and there are too many other books to read to have to reread a series each time a new volume comes out.</p><p>See you all for for Book 2 review.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5448792?shelf=first-contact">first-contact</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5448792?shelf=physics">physics</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5448792?shelf=science-fiction">science-fiction</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10067920-samantha"></a></section><section><p>401 reviews16.6k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2205710801">December 23, 2017</a></section><div><p>While this is obviously a masterpiece of hard sci-fi, that is also the reason I had a hard time connecting to it. While the science behind it all is complex and interesting, I found myself glazing over many a time and detaching from the story. The characters didn't feel real to me. Aside from that, this is a book I'd love to discuss with others because I wonder how much of this book was harder for me due to cultural and historical differences I wasn't even aware of while reading. <p>I think I have discovered that hard sci-fi is not for me, as I need more of a connection to the story and characters, but I'd recommend this for any science buff. </p></p></div><section><ul></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/22699228-matt-quann"></a></section><section><p>607 reviews375 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1157053804">September 29, 2020</a></section><div><p>I just spent a week with this hard science fiction, Hugo-award winning novel from Chinese author Cixin Liu and I have to admit: I'm impressed. <p><i>The Three-Body Problem</i> had me putting off tasks to pick it up, stuck with me throughout my day, and was always a pleasure to read when I sat down with it. With that said, this isn’t a novel I’d easily recommend to everyone. This isn’t a review that offers a pan-recommendation along with its 5-star rating. Indeed, this review seeks to help an intrigued reader decide if this book would be a good fit for them and their reading taste. </p><p><b>Hard Sci-Fi</b></p><p> The premise of <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> is that an alien civilization receives a message from a Chinese scientist in the 1970s and plans to come to Earth, naturally, for a good old-fashioned invasion. </p><p>I know, I know. You’ve read this story before, right? </p><p>I assure you that this is a wholly original take wherein the aliens don’t even make a proper appearance for the entire novel. Instead, <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> is more concerned with its titular problem, scientific history, cutting edge scientific theory, and a fair smattering of ludicrous science near the novel’s end. This novel revels in its appreciation of science and a bit of brushing up on introductory physics would not go amiss. </p><p>However, if you don’t recall the mathematical expression that governs the motion of two celestial bodies in a vacuum, you need not worry. Cixin Liu (and his translator, Ken Liu) does a fantastic job in explaining basic and high-level science concepts in clear language. Although there were times in which I had to set the book down to interpret, these moments were largely towards the end of the book where the science gets really out there. </p><p>I was also less than impressed with the video game within the book that serves as an introduction to the alien civilization. Roughly, each time the game is booted up the player is greeted by an ever-advancing Earth-based representation of scientific progress. So, at first you meet an ancient Chinese king, but eventually you hang out with Einstein. This grew on me after the first few chapters set in the game. Liu uses these sections to convey the difficulty of the scientific problem at hand, show reverence for science history, and introduce the civilization in an innocuous way. </p><p><b>Space &amp; Time</b></p><p>One of the things that really sets this reading experience apart from traditional science fiction is that it is really, really Chinese. The first 100 pages deal mostly with the Chinese Cultural Revolution. In fact, after 100 pages I realized that I was enjoying that material so much that I wouldn’t have minded if aliens never stopped in. Of course, as the novel goes on it does an excellent job of weaving together the threads from the Cultural Revolution and the impending invasion. </p><p>This Chinese-based sci-fi is a breath of fresh air, and it’s a shame that China’s most popular sci-fi author has never made the jump to English before. Not only is it set in a different part of the world from most sci-fi you’ll encounter, but it also feels remarkably different in writing style and plot development. Where other novels skim over the nitty-gritty of the science behind spectacle, <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> spends pages making sure the reader knows what to expect. This never feels obnoxious; on the contrary, it is refreshing to see an author convey a concept in such understandable language. </p><p>Though the novel alternates between the time of discovery during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the present day story, it never feels random. There are stretches where I spent 50 pages in the present, took a brief 10 page detour into the past, only to return for a lengthy bit set in the present. The story unfolds rather than following a strictly predictable path. Instead of predictability, it seems guided by logic. You don’t know about Y, but once you know X, Y follows much more easily. </p><p>This all makes for a read that is compelling because it makes the reader feel as if they are hot on the pursuit of the central mystery. </p><p><b>The Three Dimensional Character Problem</b></p><p>You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t mentioned the cast of characters, and there’s good reason. I’m not the first reader to note this, but the lead characters in <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> are pretty flat. Indeed, Wang Miao may be a brilliant nanotechnology researcher, but I’d be hard pressed to tell you much about his personality. Instead of driving the plot, Wang reacts to it. I never felt that the decisions he makes in the novel were guided by his belief system. He’s kind of like the cart on an on-rail amusement park ride. The ride sure is thrilling, but you’re unlikely to remember much about the cart.</p><p>Now, normally I’d be roasting this book alive for having such weak characterization. I mean, why read a book if you don’t care about the characters? <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> genuinely makes the case for having a fairly empty lead. I kept thinking during my read that I could imagine being in Wang’s shoes, pulling back the curtain on yet another mystery. It is genuinely impressive that Liu is able to pull off, at least for me, the sensation of feeling like you’re in on the mystery that would be lost with a stronger character. </p><p><b>Conclusion?</b></p><p>This novel doesn’t end with resolution, though you could conceivably just read this novel and come away with a complete story. Of course, there are two more novels in the series that will delve further into the impressive, exciting, and pessimistic world that Liu has created. I’m hoping for some better-developed characters, but will happily continue on if the subsequent books are as mentally stimulating as this.</p><p><b>I’d suggest tackling this one if you are interested in a headier science-fiction story that eschews typical western plot, makes your brain twist and turn into weird shapes, and makes the case for more translated SFF.</b></p><p>**The second book is better than the first! You can find my review of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1805158377?book_show_action=false&amp;from_review_page=1"><i>The Dark Forest</i> here!</a></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/22699228?shelf=favourites">favourites</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/22699228?shelf=not-can-us-or-uk">not-can-us-or-uk</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/22699228?shelf=sci-fi">sci-fi</a> </ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5253785-lyn"></a></section><section><p>1,847 reviews16.3k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1367790472">March 27, 2017</a></section><div><p>I liked this and there is no doubt that this is a science heavy, brilliantly produced and contemplated, highly original SF novel from a physics understanding Chinese author that was good enough to win a slew of awards including the Hugo.<p>But I like to watch Ridiculousness. I like Travis McGee. I like Mickey F****** Spillane. Beer and pizza and a bug zapper is quality entertainment.</p><p>“Conan – what is best in life?”</p><p>Three Body Problem did not have near enough axe welding barbarians or laser beams for my taste.</p><p>Liu Cixin’s wildly popular, speculative fiction gem was first published in China in 2008 as 三体 (I guess – that’s what it says on Goodreads) and I enjoyed the English translation written by Ken Liu (himself a very talented writer) published in 2014.</p><p>Liu begins in the late 60s during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and then moves forward in time to a near future where a strange virtual reality game replicates an even stranger reality.</p><p>And the aliens.</p><p>Maybe I would have liked this more if I were a physicist. A very smart commentator opined that perhaps Westerners don’t get the subtle nuances of a writer whose cultural background is not based upon the individual but rather is more attuned to a gestalt perspective.</p><p>“Brilliant and entertaining “ <br />– Dr. Sheldon Cooper.</p><p></p></p></div><section><ul></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3018638-david-brin"></a></section><section><p>Author <i></i>270 books3,050 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1108936911">November 17, 2014</a></section><div><p>The Three-Body Problem is part one of an award-winning trilogy by Liu Cixin — and is arguably the best Chinese science fiction novel ever translated into English. Liu uses the “three-body problem” of classical mechanics to ask some terrifying questions about human nature and what lies at the core of civilization.<p>The series explores the world of the Trisolarans, a race that is forced to adapt to life in a triple star system, on a planet whose gravity, heat, and orbit are in constant flux. Facing extinction, the Trisolarans plan to evacuate and conquer the nearest habitable planet, and finally chooses a candidate/victim when it intercepts a message—from Earth. The Three-Body Problem has been translated into English by award-winning writer, Ken Liu (author of books such as The Grace of Kings). Take a look at Stephan Martiniere's way-cool cover for the coming Tor Books edition!)</p><p>Special note… The Three Body Problem deals very closely with the issue of SETI and the Fermi Paradox and whether we should shout "yoo-hoo!" into the cosmos -- a quandary about which I've also written, from time to time. <br />￼</p><p>But the biggest news is this proof of the maturation of Chinese science fiction into the top ranks of thorough and fascinating thought experimentation. I’ve long maintained that the health of an enlightened and progressive society is measured by how vibrant is its science fiction, since that is where true self-critique and appraisal and hope lie. If so, the good news stretches beyond China!</p></p></div><section><ul></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4702450-rachel-the-book-harlot"></a></section><section><p>175 reviews45 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1247931150">June 28, 2015</a></section><div><p><b>2.5 stars</b><p>There has been an enormous amount of buzz and accolades surrounding Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem. It has been nominated for numerous awards, including a 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Does it deserve all the hype? In some respects I can see why it has garnered so much praise. The science is fun, there are some interesting philosophical concepts, and the world-building is also interesting. However, that for me is where the praise ends. Where the book fails is in the basic fundamentals of what makes a good story: writing, characterization, pacing, and plot. Harsh, I know. </p><p> The characters are flat, the writing is lifeless and choppy, the pacing is slow as molasses in some places, and some of the dialogue is downright terrible. There are instances where the author awkwardly uses dialogue to info dump:</p><blockquote><i>"Professor Wang, we want to know if you've had any recent contacts with members of the Frontiers of Science," the young cop said.<p> "The Frontiers of Science is full of famous scholars,and very influential. Why can't I have contact with a legal international academic group?"</p></i></blockquote><i>
</i><p>There are also weird instances where characters behave like stage actors, having side conversations with one another in order to provide the audience with info while other characters in the scene pretend not to listen. Strange and awkward.</p><p> Despite these problems, the story does start out interesting enough with the character of Ye Wenjie during the Chinese Revolution. However, it later jumps to the modern day, through the point of view character of Wang Miao, where its problems can no longer be ignored and the story fizzles. </p><p> Perhaps it is unfair of me to heap such harsh criticism at the writing since this is a translation from the original Chinese. Maybe these issues do not appear in the original? I cannot be sure, and if someone has read the original I'd love to hear your thoughts. But, as it stands I can only go with the version I've read. Sorry, book. You had some interesting elements, but not enough to overlook the problems. </p><p> <b>Final Rating: 2.5 Stars</b></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4702450?shelf=science-fiction">science-fiction</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/26741582-john-mauro"></a></section><section><p>Author <i></i>4 books285 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4446456129">June 15, 2022</a></section><div><p>My complete review is published at <a href="https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-three-body-problem-by-cixin-liu/">Grimdark Magazine</a>.<p>Against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, Ye Wenjie’s father is a well-accomplished physics professor at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing. His embrace of Western science—including the work of Einstein and Bohr—leads him to be accused of embracing reactionary ideologies. He is beaten to death by students from the Red Guard in front of his terrified daughter. Ye Wenjie herself later becomes persecuted and imprisoned for embracing Western thought. She is saved by two military scientists working at the Red Coast, a top-secret space program by the Chinese government, who recognize Ye Wenjie’s outstanding abilities as a physicist.</p><p>The core idea of <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> draws directly from Stanisław Lem’s 1961 sci-fi classic, <i>Solaris</i>, which considers whether a planet that orbits two suns can support the evolution of life. In <i>Solaris</i>, the two suns have vastly different intensities, causing the climate of the orbiting planet, Solaris, to vary drastically depending upon which of the two suns is currently closer. The resulting climatic fluctuations cast doubt upon whether Solaris has a climate consistent enough to support biological evolution, which requires relative climatic stability over millions of years.</p><p>In <i>The Three-Body Problem</i>, Cixin Liu ups the ante by introducing a third sun to the problem. The orbital path of a planet around three suns poses a complex mathematical problem that has eluded solution for hundreds of years. In <i>The Three-Body Problem</i>, the orbiting planet, Trisolaris, experiences periods of relative stability punctuated by periods of sudden climatic chaos.</p><p>Throughout its planetary history, Trisolaris has undergone hundreds of stable periods, where society has achieved varying levels of scientific and technological development, only to be wiped out by sudden climate changes. The Trisolarans have evolved the ability to dehydrate themselves to survive through these periods of chaos, but they have finally determined that the only way their society can survive in the long-term is to colonize another inhabitable planet with a more stable climate. Compared to Trisolaris, the pale blue dot we know as Earth looks rather enticing.</p><p>Beyond its excellent treatment of scientific principles, The Three-Body Problem raises several important philosophical questions, the deepest of these being: Is humanity worth saving? As Ye Wenjie becomes one of the leading scientists searching for extraterrestrial life, her experiences during the Cultural Revolution have molded her views on the value of humanity.</p><p>Read my full review at <a href="https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-three-body-problem-by-cixin-liu/">Grimdark Magazine</a>.</p></p></div><section><ul></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8734459-tadiana-night-owl"></a></section><section><p>1,878 reviews22.6k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1784262351">September 27, 2018</a></section><div><p>This Hugo Award winning SF novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin is delightfully intelligent and complex, and I really appreciated the authentic Chinese characters in the story and the insights into China's history and culture. The novel is also a little slow and dry in parts, with a certain formality that (I would guess) echoes the original Chinese writing style. I also had some trouble keeping all of the characters straight in my head; most of the characters have Chinese names, and the names tended to blend together in my brain, partly due to my lack of familiarity with that language and partly because characterization isn’t really one of the strengths of this book.<p>It begins in the 1960s, during the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath. A respected professor is beaten to death by three young women who are Red Guards, and his astrophysicist daughter, Ye Wenjie, is eventually shipped off to a remote mountaintop where a government-sponsored group is secretly exploring the possibility of electronic communication with aliens. Eventually it actually works - but there's a clear possibility of danger to all of humanity. Ye Wenjie makes a fateful decision. We then jump forward some 40+ years, where the story picks up again with the fallout from that decision, though we're favored with a few more flashbacks to the sixties.</p><p>This novel is not going to be every reader's cuppa tea, but I think readers who like intricately plotted hard (VERY hard) SF novels should definitely give this series a try. I flailed and almost gave up when I hit some chapters that involve lengthy, detailed descriptions of a video game, a very odd role-playing game on an alien world (yet with human characters). But I powered through, and once all the pieces started fitting together, it got fascinating. I'm up for book #2!</p><p>Full review to come.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/8734459?shelf=science-fiction">science-fiction</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13580569-metodi-markov"></a></section><section><p>1,250 reviews285 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2260520987">December 29, 2022</a></section><div><p>Българските читатели имат отчаяна нужда от модерни, умело написани и смели фантастични книги. Такива, със съвсем малки изключения достигат до книжния ни пазар толкова рядко, че всяка прилетяла бяла лястовица се превръща в мини сензация.<p>Като верен почитател на жанра, формирал част от личните ми книжни предпочитания в края на осемдесетте и през деветдесетте години на миналия век, давам на "Трите тела" от Лиу Цъсин много висока оценка - и историята, и героите са чудесно развити и задържаха интереса ми до край. Признавам, не разбрах всичко от физиката в книгата, но схванах общите идеи на автора и това само засили удоволствието ми.</p><p>Лиу Цъсин е вплел в интригата на този роман много интересни проблеми, върху които си струва човек да си поблъска главата. Очаквам развитието на клопките заложени пред човешката цивилизация от събитията през "Трите тела" в следващите части да е отново майсторски изпипано!</p><p>Интересно би било и да се научи, как се е промъкнала тази книга покрай жестоката комунистическа цензура властваща в червен Китай и в този момент.</p><p>Цитати:</p><p>"В Китай всяка по-възвишена мисъл е обречена да се сгромоляса на земята. Гравитационното поле на реалността е твърде силно." (важи не само за там)</p><p>"Защо човечеството няма вродени знания за законите на Вселената?"</p><p>P.S. Преводът на г-н Стефан Русинов от китайски е чудесен и допринася много да се насладим напълно на това отлично четиво!</p><p>Тук можете да чуете интересните размисли на преводача за книгата и неговата работа по нея:</p><p> <a href="https://anchor.fm/stefan-rusinov/episodes/ep-ef8fdl">https://anchor.fm/stefan-rusinov/epis...</a></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13580569?shelf=2020">2020</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13580569?shelf=favorites">favorites</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/13580569?shelf=linz">linz</a> </ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2644090-erica"></a></section><section><p>1,294 reviews427 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1349325586">April 7, 2016</a></section><div><p>Alright. I read this wrong. It's all on me.<br />I've got my Cone of Shame and am headed to the Shame Corner right now.<br />It was nice being out for awhile but we all knew I couldn't stay out for long.<p>I'm not sure if something was lost in translation, if I'm just really not good at science, or if I am waaaaay too American, but whatever the case, I did not enjoy this.</p><p>Well, I <i>did</i>, but only through maybe the first half. Then it got tedious, then it got boring, then it got downright ridiculous, and then I stabbed my ears out so I wouldn't have to listen anymore.</p><p>The story follows two timelines and characters that you know are going to intersect. <br />It starts with (phonetically-spelled, based on the reader's terrible pronunciation): Astrophysicist Yeah Wen-Sia who sees her father killed by three fanatic teenage girls when he won't deny science during the Cultural Revolution. Then, her favorite and best teacher commits suicide, her mother, who is terribly unstable, abandons her, and her sister has joined the Revolution and is a fanatic in her own right. Ye is angry and carries this anger with her to the woods where she is employed in deforestation at the base of Red Coast Station which is, essentially, a military base with a huge satellite that sits up on top of a hill and is fairly inaccessible and anyone who even strolls near will be shot.</p><p>The second storyline is that of (phonetically-spelled, based on the reader's terrible pronunciation) Wong Meow, owner of zero personality. He's a nanotech/biology somesuch researcher scientist in the current day who is alarmed when the nation's top physicists and other brainy sorts start committing suicide. I don't really remember, if I ever actually knew, how he falls into all of this, but he gets involved, via a tough-as-nails cop named Dah Shee, with a sort of investigation into the larger scope of the problem that is causing these scientists to kill themselves.<br />Through a series of not-noticeable events, Wang finds out about an online game called Three Body and he decides to play. It's a weird game that follows civilizations as they grow and then collapse on a world where there are three suns and these suns pose a real-life (like, real to our lives) mathematical quandary called the Three Body Problem in which three things whiz around a stationary object (I think. I may be making the stationary object up) but each has a different kind of orbit and they're sort of random and you must find the pattern of their zoomings to predict when they'll be close to each other or the object and when they'll be farthest apart, etc. How can you track the movement of these three bodies to predict what they'll do next, is the question. At any rate, if you solve the Three Body Problem in the game, you win. Only really smart people can play this game, obviously. People whose brains think in spatial relationships and numbers at all hours of the day, I assume.</p><p>There are more characters but these are the main two and their lives intersect and things happen.</p><p>Before I spew forth my list of what I misunderstood, I'm going to share what I thought I was going to read.</p><p><b>The Direction In Which I Thought This Book Would Go</b>: </p><p><b>What Actually Happened and Why I Lost Interest</b>: </p><p><b>And here are the things I just did not understand at all</b>: </p><p>Ok, so, it's obvious this went WAY over my head. Way way way over. I'm probably too inculturated in Western SciFi to be able to appreciate what I listened to. And, by the way, what I listened to was crap because, yet again, the narrator is some white dude who doesn't speak Chinese. Also, he made the Chinese tough-as-nails cop's voice alternate between a NYC beat cop accent and a Texan accent. It was bizarre. I did not enjoy that at all.</p><p>I've read several of the other five-star reviews here and I've yet to find any enlightenment on my misunderstandings. I'm just seeing a lot of people going nuts over how amazing this is and I can't understand, even from their glowing reviews, what they read that I didn't.</p><p>This is the first in a trilogy. I feel like I should listen to them all just to find out if any of my questions are answered but I'm not really into self-torture so probably, I'll pass.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2644090?shelf=asia">asia</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2644090?shelf=audiobook">audiobook</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2644090?shelf=cults">cults</a> </ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/614778-ahmad-sharabiani"></a></section><section><p>9,568 reviews55.6k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4568243805">February 24, 2022</a></section><div><p><b>三体 = Trisomy = The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past #1), Liu Cixin</b><p>The Three-Body Problem is the first novel of the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion.</p><p>تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز هجدهم ماه فوریه سال2022میلادی</p><p>عنوان: سه جرم کیهانی کتاب نخست از سه گانه یادآوری گذشته زمین؛ نویسنده سیکسین لیو (سیشین لیو)؛ مترجم شهناز صاعلی؛ ترجمه از متن انگلیسی؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس؛ سال1398؛ در416ص؛ شابک9786001825798؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان چین - سده21م</p><p>دومین و سومین رمان از این سه گانه: «جنگل تاریک» و «پایان مرگ» هستند</p><p>در پس زمینه انقلاب فرهنگی «چین»، یک پروژه نظامی پنهانی سیگنالهایی را برای برقراری تماس با بیگانگان به فضا میفرستد؛ یک تمدن بیگانه ی در آستانه ی نابودی سیگنال را میگیرد و میخواهد به زمین یورش کند؛ در هم��ن حال، بر روی زمین، اردوگاه‌های گوناگونی به شکل‌گیری آغاز و برنامه‌ریزی می‌کنند</p><p>نقل از متن: (اتحاد سرخ به مدت دو روز مرکز فرماندهی بریگاد سرخ بیست و هشت آوریل را مورد حمله قرار داد؛ پرچم‌های سرخ آن‌ها بی‌امان در اطراف ساختمان بریگاد سرخ در اهتزاز بود، همچون آتشی که ولع بلعیدن جنگل را دارد؛ فرمانده اتحاد سرخ نگران بود البته نه به دلیل مقاومت بریگاد سرخ در برابر آن‌ها؛ چون در حدود دویست نفر افراد بریگارد سرخ بیست و هشت آوریل در برابر سربازان‌ کهنه‌کار‌‌ اتحاد سرخ، سربازانی تازه‌کار و مبتدی بیش نبودند، گارد سرخ اتحاد سرخ در آغاز انقلاب پرولتاری بزرگ در ابتدای سال1966میلادی تشکیل شد، و با داشتن تجربه‌ ی پر جار و جنجال تورهای انقلابی در سراسر کشور و صف‌آرایی عظیم دیدار با رئیس «مائو» در میدان «تیانانمن» آبدیده و ورزیده شده بود؛ فرمانده اتحاد سرخ از ده دوازده اجاق آهنی داخل ساختمان می‌ترسید، که پر از مواد منفجره بودند، و به وسیله ی چند چاشنی الکتریکی به هم متصل شده بودند؛ فرمانده آن‌ها را نمی‌دید، اما مثل آهنی که کشش آهن‌ربایِ نزدیکش را ردیابی می‌کند، وجود مواد منفجره را حس می‌کرد؛ اگر مدافع گارد سرخ سوئیچ را می‌زد، انقلابیون و ضد انقلابیون، همگی یکجا، در گلوله ی آتشی عظیم می‌مردند؛ و از جوانان گارد سرخ بریگاد بیست و هشت آوریل، واقعاً چنین دیوانگی‌ای برمی‌آمد؛ در مقایسه با مردان و زنان سرد و گرم چشیده‌ ی اولین نسل گارد سرخ، این شورشیان جدید، یک گله گرگ روی زغال آتشین و دیوانه‌تر از هر دیوانه‌ای بودند.)؛ پایان نقل</p><p>تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 04/12/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا.شربیانی</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/614778?shelf=21th-century">21th-century</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/614778?shelf=asia">asia</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/614778?shelf=china">china</a> </ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/84916113-mrs-buttercup"></a></section><section><p>651 reviews325 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2881196768">May 25, 2020</a></section><div><p><i>“Is it possible that the relationship between humanity and evil is similar to the relationship between the ocean and an iceberg floating on its surface? Both the ocean and the iceberg are made of the same material. That the iceberg seems separate is only because it is in a different form. In reality, it is but a part of the vast ocean.”</i><p></p><p>Reading this book was an incredibly enriching experience. Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres, but I have to admit that sometimes books in this category can be a little "superficial" and mainly for entertainment purposes. I believe this author reached peaks comparable to Asimov with this work! I couldn't put this book down, and I even read whole sections of it more than once for pure pleasure (and also some because I couldn't understand what he was saying 🤣 I'm not a quantum physicist so yeah 🤣). What a ride! A true work of genius.</p><p></p><p>As for the three different settings of the book, the contemporary one, the historical one (set during the chinese revolution) and the "sci-fi" one (of which I am not going to talk to prevent spoilers), I was intrigued by the first, extremely interested in the second, and absolutely mesmerized by the third. The length of the novel and the ability of the writer created a world so well-built and immersive that I felt catapulted in an other dimension. Until now, only a few sci-fi books have given me a similar experience, and they are all "classics". I truly believe this one to be a modern classic already. </p><p></p><p>Finally, the richness of the purely sci-fi aspect of it, is so imaginative and revolutionary that I am sure I will think about it for years to come. Some sections of it reminded me of pioneer texts like <i>Flatland</i> (if you've read both books, I am pretty sure you know of which part I am talking about). I would like to write more, but really I don't want to spoil this experience to anyone! I can only recommend with the greatest enthusiasm to read this book as soon as possible! 🙃</p><p></p><p>note: I just finished re-reading this book and I can confirm 100% that this is a masterpiece!!! Can't wait to go on with the series. </p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/84916113?shelf=2019-favorites">2019-favorites</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/84916113?shelf=audiobooks">audiobooks</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/84916113?shelf=re-reads">re-reads</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/53165-warwick"></a></section><section><p>809 reviews14.4k followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2218683398">January 6, 2018</a></section><div><p>In an afterword, Liu expresses his opinion that science fiction should not be used to make social commentary but should instead restrict itself to playing with ideas of science and technology. I was surprised to see that because <i>Three Body</i> had struck me (tentatively, since I know little about China) as an especially <i>Chinese</i> novel, with much to say about how societies should be organised. The portrait of an ‘authoritarian’ alien civilisation, where individuality is repressed in favour of homogenous common benefit, seemed almost too obvious a comment on Communism, especially when juxtaposed, as it is here, with historical scenes of the Cultural Revolution.<p>Whether you accept his protestations or not is unlikely to affect your enjoyment of the novel, which blends historical tragedy with the kind of slow-burning first contact story that harks back to the golden age of the 1940s and '50s in the US. Perhaps the most fascinating scenes in the book, and certainly the eeriest, are those set within a virtual-reality computer game which is concerned with the practical implications of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-body_problem">three-body problem</a> in physics; these chapters seem grand and bleak and impressively inhuman in scope.</p><p>Less successful, perhaps, are the interpersonal relationships and the motivations of the characters in general. The plot hinges on the assumption that, faced with a particular challenge to their scientific and existential ideas, vast numbers of people would deliberately opt for suicide, both personally and in terms of trying to destroy their entire species. This seemed a little infeasible to me, though perhaps it's just a more Chinese way of looking at things. Either way, it makes for a curious and unusual plot. (An interesting companion read might be Adam Roberts's <i>Yellow Blue Tibia</i>, which used first contact as a way of writing about Stalin's Russia.)</p><p>The translation, from (the unrelated) Ken Liu, is excellent on a sentence-by-sentence level, though apparently he rearranged some of the chapters for an English-speaking audience, which I can't say I approve of.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/53165?shelf=china">china</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/53165?shelf=fiction">fiction</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/53165?shelf=sci-fi">sci-fi</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2922102-blaine"></a></section><section><p>712 reviews574 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1106874805">June 9, 2021</a></section><div><p><blockquote>To effectively contain a civilization’s development and disarm it across such a long span of time, there is only one way: kill its science.</blockquote><i>The Three-Body Problem</i> is a very original story, and one that’s rather difficult to describe. Set in the present, in flashbacks against the backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and at some points in cyberspace, this novel tells a tale of humanity’s first contact with an alien race.<p>I have read reviews stating that <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> feels Chinese. I can’t say whether the book feels Chinese (though it is set there) or whether it’s just this writer’s style. I can say that this book is hard sci-fi, like a Crichton novel on steroids. There are extensive sections in which various physics or computing concepts are laid out. They all serve the plot well, but this style will not be for everyone. Especially since the main weakness of the book is characterization. There is really only one fully developed character (Ye Wenjie), and one entertaining sidekick (Da Shi). Otherwise, the characters are generally passive and largely forgettable.</p><p><i>The Three-Body Problem</i> is a plot-driven story about big ideas. I love that it is very pro-science: science is the hope for humanity, and stopping earth’s scientific progress is the goal of our enemies. I can see why it won the Hugo Award for best science-fiction novel. I will definitely read the second book in the trilogy. Recommended, and highly recommended if you enjoy hard sci-fi.</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2922102?shelf=2017">2017</a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2922102?shelf=from-library">from-library</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/101459683-frank-hidalgo-gato-dur-n"></a></section><section><p>Author <i></i>9 books209 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3700178190">May 8, 2021</a></section><div><p>Sexta: Bravo! Realmente una magnífica obra. Gran derroche de conceptos metafísicos constatables en esta obra. Es ciencia ficción dura, de hoy, ningún blablabla, pura materia gris e información trascendental. Me ha encantado! Fuente de inspiración pura!Pronto comienzo con la segunda parte! <p>Quinta: Muy bien documentado. Conceptos científicos ( ingeniería y metafísica )muy bien amarrados y defendidos a la hora no sólo de su exposición sino tambien en su manejo al convertirlos en ciencia ficción creíble. </p><p>Cuarta: Me gusta mucho! Pero ya estoy esperando el momento en que el autor desacelere un poco el “hype” ya que con esto se consigue desarrollar un gran final. Vamos viendo 😊👍</p><p>Tercera: Este libro me está... encantando! Cumple con mis constantes necesidades de desarrollo, crecimiento y expansión de mi red neuronal hacia el cosmos! La magia del conocimiento!!! Mi trilogía no está nada mal señores... nada mal!!!! Continúo.</p><p>Segunda: Vaya! Me está gustando mucho! Os lo juro, hasta ahora me va recordando a mi trilogía!, en el estilo, la proyección y construcción de la historia y su narrativa. Continuamos!😊👍</p><p>Primera reseña: Comienzo con este libro del cual me han tambien hablado mucho y dicen que es muuuuyyy bueno, premiado con el premio Hugo. Como siempre,lo puntúo al final. A ver qué tal! 😊👍</p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/101459683?shelf=ficci%C3%B3n">ficción</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/100264072-swrp"></a></section><section><p>561 reviews89 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4702353937">May 23, 2022</a></section><div><p>review-coming-soon<p><i>"Is it possible that the relationship between humanity and evil is similar to the relationship between the ocean and an iceberg floating on its surface?"</i></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/100264072?shelf=review-coming-soon">review-coming-soon</a></ul></section><hr /></section></article></div><div><article><div><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2457095-apatt"></a></section><section><p>507 reviews753 followers</p></section></div><section><section><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1209764985">February 10, 2017</a></section><div><p>One of my favorite ways of choosing a book by an unfamiliar author to read is by the buzz from sf blogs and discussion forums. Not any old buzz mind you, I don’t want to end up reading “50 Shades” or some equally unreadable blockbusters, I only take notice of the excitement among SF/F reading communities.<p><i>The Three-Body Problem</i> was my <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/SF_Book_Club/">SF Book Club</a>’s book of the month (three months ago), it was recommended to me a friend here on GR and I have noticed numerous blogs, articles and online discussions about it so if I am to have any hope of keeping up with the Sci-fi Joneses I’d better give it a shot*. About the official synopsis, I am surprised how much spoiler is in it. I am glad I did not read the synopsis until I was half way through the book, but even then I wish I had finished the book before reading the thing. Having said that, when I tried to write my own synopsis I find myself struggling as the book’s storyline is quite complex with several plot twists and turns.</p><p>It starts in China in 1967 during the Cultural Revolution, astrophysicist Ye Wenjie witnesses her father’s public execution at the hands of some young Red Guards women. This is beginning of her disdain for the entire human race and a later betrayal by a friend which leads to her agreeing to join a top secret Government science project which has will have a great impact on the future of humanity. About forty years later Wang Miao a nanomaterial researcher stumbles upon a VR game that seems to have surprising real world consequences.</p><p>OK, a little bit of a spoiler now. After all the surprising plot developments this book ultimately turns out to be about . It is not <i>all</i> about that though, there are many facets to this book: Hard SF / cyberpunk / conspiracy / Chinese Cultural Revolution, not to mention the human drama, the political allegory, the philosophy and the moral themes of loyalty and betrayal (of individuals and eventually the entire human race). I think even the kitchen sink is mentioned at one point!</p><p><i>The Three-Body Problem</i> is a huge bestseller in China, it is the first book of a trilogy (only this first volume translated and published internationally so far) and a film adaptation is in the making (by Chinese film makers, not Hollywood – yet). The book reminds me a little bit of Neal Stephenson's <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/830.Snow_Crash"> Snow Crash</a> though it is much grimmer in tone and also Asimov’s classic <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/41821.The_Gods_Themselves"> The Gods Themselves</a> (ah, I need to reread this!). Considering the hype I am surprising how divisive this book is, it has all the things most hard SF fans normally want, the plausible science, the cool tech, huge ideas etc. I suspect the dislike among some of the readers is due to the book's initial focus on the Cultural Revolution in the 60s. If you read sci-fi just for the sci-fi and you don't want to know about this part of Chinese history this substantial part of the book may bore you. I know nothing about this history and I personally found it to be very interesting. There are also some lengthy scientific expositions which are a little hard to follow. I quite like how the main characters are developed but none of them are particularly sympathetic, not even Wang Miao who is described as “a good man”. I love the cyberspace world (or metaverse) of this book, it is bizarre and fascinating; how it impacts the real world is more reminiscent of <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/4764.Philip_K__Dick"> Philip K. Dick</a> than <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/9226.William_Gibson"> William Gibson</a>. It also leads to the explanation of the book’s title which is a brilliant hard sci-fi concept.</p><p>The New York Times described this book as <i>“a classic science-fiction story in the style of the British master <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/7779.Arthur_C__Clarke"> Arthur C. Clarke</a>”</i>. While the comparison makes <i>some</i> sense stylistically Liu Cixin is very different from Sir Arthur C. I don’t know how much of this is due to the excellent translation by <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/2917920.Ken_Liu"> Ken Liu</a> but there is much more characterization and emotion here than any Clarke books I have read. This does not make him a better author than Clarke though, Clarke was a master storyteller who told some ingenious stories with much more economy and clarity of vision.</p><p>So given the divisive opinions of this book I would recommend it with caution that you try a sample chapter first if possible, or at least read a few trusted reviews. Also, the book is not an easy breezy read, there are passages that will tax your brain and others that require your patience. Personally I would love to find out what happen in the subsequent volumes of the trilogy. Get on with it Mr. Ken Liu!<br />__________________</p><p><b>Note:</b><br />Barack Obama has <a href="http://www.tor.com/2017/01/17/barack-obama-books-the-three-body-problem/">something interesting to say about <i>The Three-Body Problem</i></a></p></p></div><section><ul><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2457095?shelf=sci-fi">sci-fi</a></ul></section></section></article></div></div>||||I|||| * Home
 * My Books
 * Browse ▾
 + Recommendations
 + Choice Awards
 + Giveaways
 + New Releases
 + Lists
 + Explore
 + News & Interviews

 Loading...

 * Community ▾
 + Groups
 + Quotes
 + Ask the Author
 + People
 * Sign in
 * Join
 Jump to ratings and reviews
 Want to read
 Kindle Unlimited $0.00
 Rate this book

 Remembrance of Earth's Past #1

 The Three-Body Problem

 Liu Cixin , Ken Liu ( Translator)

 4.08
 249,420 ratings 23,817 reviews
 Want to read
 Kindle Unlimited $0.00
 Rate this book
 Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion.
 Genres Science Fiction Fiction China Science Fiction Fantasy Fantasy Audiobook Aliens
 ...more

 399 pages, Hardcover

 First published May 1, 2006

 Book details & editions

 About the author

 Liu Cixin

 159 books 10.6k followers
 Science Fiction fan and writer.

 Liu Cixin also appears as Cixin Liu

 Ratings & Reviews

 What do you think?
 Rate this book
 Write a Review

 Friends & Following

 Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

 Community Reviews

 4.08
 249,420 ratings 23,817 reviews
 5 stars
 98,030 (39%)
 4 stars
 93,760 (37%)
 3 stars
 41,900 (16%)
 2 stars
 11,950 (4%)
 1 star
 3,780 (1%)
 Search review text
 Filters
 Displaying 1 - 30 of 23,815 reviews
 Mona
 461 reviews 283 followers
 August 6, 2015

 Badly Written and Ill Conceived Science Fiction with a Few Interesting Ideas


 I'm not sure I read the same book as everyone else. This got lots of four and five star reviews here on Goodreads.

 Plus, it's been nominated for both Hugo and Nebula awards.

 As often happens, I'm not with the majority opinion here. I give it two stars.

 I'm not sure if the problem was the translation, or the original text, or both. (Unfortunately I only have the audio for this, so I can't quote the text here).

 But I found the writing wooden, the characters two-dimensional cartoonish stick figures, and the audio narration poor. Although most of the characters are academics or intellectuals, the most believable and interesting character turns out to be a coarse and apparently ignorant policeman, She Qiang (nicknamed "Da Shi").

 Most of the characters are cold and unsympathetic. A few of them commit murders for which they seem entirely unremorseful. It's impossible to care about these people.

 And there are many unbelievable plot developments. For example, Mike Evans, an environmentalist, conveniently inherits his billionaire father's money at just the right time in the plot. I won't say much more about this as it's a spoiler.

 This might have been acceptable in the early years of science fiction, but now it just seems like a bad novel.

 As for the science...I'm not a physicist, so I can't really discuss the physics. Evidently, the three body problem has been unsolved by physicists dating back to Newton. So this part has some scientific basis.

 Also, the stuff about micro circuitry was interesting.

 But I have worked with computers for many years. The "human formation computer" (a computer powered by trained soldiers with colored flags) seems a bit silly to me, although nothing is impossible. I doubt if millions of humans could achieve the required precision. Interestingly, a minor character in the book who is an executive in a software company says the same thing.

 Also, the author seems preoccupied with social status. And science is held up as an object of worship.

 Science and technology are important, but I don't think they should be a religion (which in some quarters they seem to have become).

 Anyway, here's a brief summary.

 As a young girl, Ye Wenjie, an astrophysicist, witnesses the killing of her father by Cultural Revolution fanatics.

 She becomes an astrophysicist herself and is recruited for a secret Chinese science/military project, Red Coast. It's years before she learns the true purpose of the project.

 Meanwhile, many intellectuals are playing a video game (which requires a haptic suit), called "The Three Body Problem". The main gamer character, Wang Miao, is a professor of physics specializing in nanotech.

 It turns out the game and the Red Coast project are connected.

 They both relate to extraterrestrial life.

 The game transports the players to the Trisolar Universe, a universe with three suns that really exists.

 In most respects, Trisolar is behind earth technologically (they are playing out earlier eras in earth history), but in certain respects they are ahead of earth.

 Trisolar swings between "chaotic eras" and "stable eras". Both of these last for indeterminate time periods. Hundreds of civilizations there are destroyed by extremes of heat and cold produced by configurations of the three suns. Residents of Trisolar dehydrate themselves to survive chaotic eras.

 The game's purpose is to spread information about Trisolar among persons of high intellectual capacity and high social standing. Even though Trisolar really exists, the game plays out differently for different players.


 Anyway, I won't say much more about the story. I don't want to spoil it.

 If you liked The Martian , you might enjoy this. The focus is technology and science, with the prose, characters, and plot being entirely secondary to the ideas. Isaac Asimov 's Foundation was another book where the characters and plot were subordinate to the ideas, although I think it works much better as a novel than this does.

 I didn't really care for Luke Daniels' audio narration either. His voice varied from leaden in some spots to over-excited in others. And when doing foreign accents, he either exaggerated them, or in some cases, got them wrong.

 I'd say pass on this one, except that lots of others seem to love it.
 ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
 1,245 likes
 139 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Yun
 505 reviews 18.1k followers
 January 20, 2023
 I'm going to call it right now. Even though I only just finished book one, I'm certain The Three-Body Problem will go down as my favorite sci-fi series of all time.

 This book blew my mind so thoroughly that it leaves only destruction in its wake. Where could Liu Cixin have possibly come up with all of these ideas and concepts? No wonder everyone says this is wildly imaginative. Even a single one of the ideas in here would have sufficed for a book of its own, but to put them all together into a single cohesive epic tale is absolutely jaw-dropping.

 The pacing is relentless and the surprises just keep coming. In fact, it has more twists and turns than most mysteries and thrillers I've read. Not only is the story utterly riveting, but it's also insightful and thought-provoking, touching upon science, politics, philosophy, and history. I found myself glued to the pages. I wanted to inhale the story as fast as I could, but I had to slow myself down periodically to reread and fully absorb all that the book was trying to tell me.

 This is my favorite type of science fiction, one that puts science front and center and unabashedly celebrates everything about it. There's no handwaving, no hocus pocus. Every point brought up is eventually explained via actual science in ways that made complete sense. And what ingenious explanations they are, sure to stun and amaze any reader.

 I found the initial pages, set during the Cultural Revolution, to be enlightening. This was the defining event of my parents' generation, yet they hardly talk about it. How do you put into words the frenzy that overtook a whole country, such that science and learning were denounced, and friends turned on friends, neighbors turned on neighbors? It's like a fever burned through the population, and left famine, trauma, and destruction in its wake. This emotionally fraught experience influences all who went through it, including the characters in this book.

 With translations, there's always the fear that some vital but intangible part of the story will be lost. And this is especially the case when the two languages in question do not share a common linguistic ancestor, so translating between them is not as simple as one-to-one. In the translator's notes at the end of the book, Ken Liu mentions that he was cognizant of this and tried hard to preserve not only the story, but also the cadence and feel of the Chinese language and culture in his translation. I think he did an excellent job.

 One thing to note is that the official book blurb is quite short for this story, but in my opinion, even that gives away too much. This is a book best experienced blind, so if you're going to read it, don't look up anything about it ahead of time.

 What a tremendous way to start the trilogy. My expectations for the remaining two books are sky high, and I'm assured by everyone I know who has already read them that they will be met and exceeded. I have no doubt only goodness awaits me.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~
 See also, my thoughts on:
 #2. The Dark Forest
 #3. Death's End

 The Cretaceous Past
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

 favorites
 877 likes
 232 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Rick Riordan
 Author 343 books 397k followers
 February 18, 2016
 Adult sci-fi. By Chinese author Cixin Liu, The Three-Body Problem takes a classic scenario -- contact with alien life -- and cranks up the sinister factor to maximum. The story begins during the Cultural Revolution when young Ye Wenjie watches her scientist father beaten to death by fervent revolutionaries. She is sent off for hard labor at a re-education camp, but by a strange twist of fate gets a chance to work at a top secret government project seeking out extraterrestrial life. Fast forward to the present, when nanotech scientist Wang Miao is snatched up by cops and brought to a secret meeting of military officials who are fighting an unnamed enemy -- some force that is trying to destroy the roots of human science and technology by killing scientists or driving them to suicide. Wang goes undercover in this strange conspiracy when he started playing a virtual reality game called The Three-Body Problem, which only the most brilliant scientific minds can hope to beat.

 The premise is fascinating and well-grounded (as far as I can tell) in hard science. The book raises haunting questions: Do we really *want* to contact other civilizations? If you had the chance to pull the plug on the human race, would you do so? Is science truly objective and provable, or is it simply the best we can do given our limited understanding of four dimensions?

 I found the novel a bit of a struggle until about halfway in. There are a lot of characters, and many of them seem like ciphers to advance the plot or mouthpieces to espouse ideas rather than living breathing people. Sometimes the prose seems like the summary of a novel rather than a novel. However, the ideas are compelling. This is about as close to "mind-blowing" as any book I've read. If you like big ideas and fantasy based on hard science, this is worth a read.
 This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
 Show full review
 749 likes
 25 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Emily (Books with Emily Fox)
 525 reviews 56.7k followers
 August 4, 2020
 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

 I just rated a book 5 stars.

 Just read it.

 **Update now that I've read the whole trilogy!**

 This is now one of my all time favorite sci-fi series. The concepts are brilliant and I fear that I'll never find anything this mind-blowing.

 With that said... the books are quite sexist (the first half of the first two books are quite slow and painful) but I still recommend them if you can stomach it.

 They're incredibly science heavy but anyone interested in space and first contact with aliens needs to read this!
 audiobooks favorites
 940 likes
 35 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Mario the lone bookwolf
 742 reviews 3,399 followers
 May 7, 2022
 Comparing Cixin to Arthur C Clarke, as the press did, might be appropriate.

 Reread 2022 with extended review

 Hostility towards science ruins everything
 Ignorance and especially ideology fueled hate against science, and especially scientists who were torchbearers of the unwanted, enemy ideology are a certain way to ruin your world domination plans. No matter if Catholic church, the Nazis with their weird physics ( infodump, no required reading, and uchronia overkill: if they wouldn´t have been antisemitic, but instead anti communism, anti American capitalism, anti Muslim, etc., they would possibly have had the correct science to first build nuclear bombs. Because many people at the Manhatten project would have stayed in Germany) or, in this case, the Chinese. As soon as one bans certain science and doesn´t allow research, degeneration sets in, and keeping pace with more enlightened competitors becomes impossible. Cixin shows the historic examples and contrasts them with near future science, showing how far we came in such a short period of time thanks to the rise of science, relativizing the depressing beginning.

 Epic, flowery language, which is unusual for the genre
 First, this seems more like an extremely well written, average nonfiction novel, because the science comes slowly (but boy, how it finally comes), and all the metaphors and character fused and focused exposition make one as interested in the characters as in the story itself, which is amazing for a genre that often prioritizes plot and worldbuilding over protagonists. Especially towards the second half and end, this acceleration leads to a culmination of both style and world that is a rare, exceptional enjoyment in the genre.

 Unique ideas
 I can´t really mention much without spoilers, but this work has some mindboggling, ingenious ideas I´ve hardly ever seen in other sci-fi works, not even close. It may be Cixins´technical background that made him finetune such pearls of the genre into his work and, if I got it right, even added some innuendos to Chinese history and military tactics, although I am far from sure und too unknowing to definitively confirm that conjecture.

 Drawing a (big) history picture of ones´ country
 Some other authors, I am too lazy and procrastinating to remember and name them here, did already use the real, alternative, future, alternative past, etc history of their countries to give great edutainment lectures of the sociocultural, epigenetic evolution and that it could have been completely different, often just decided by one improbable random event, a prodigy inventing or discovering something, or a lunatic hate preacher made god king, leader, or elected democratic president, whatever the difference is. ( Personal opinion: It´s not as if voting all few years and having a work environment that´s just slavery with extra steps, and sometimes even free social services in Europe at least still, speaks of true sociocultural evolution. See freaking end of history drivel. It´s just less inhumane and politically correct, but it stayed a de facto dictatorship.) That´s not just entertaining, but a great way to learn more about foreign cultures too, especially with the subtle criticism and satirizing element sci-fi loves to add to everything in general and which makes it the best genre of them all.

 Maybe a bit too hard for the beginning and average sci-fi reader
 One prone to the genre and used or even in some theoretical concepts will enjoy it, for others it might be a bit too much, especially because so many protagonists are scientists too to make the infodumpy technobabble Elysium more credible and better and easier to plot. Skimming and scanning the theoretical, as in other less hard sci-fi works, isn´t a solution in this case too, because everything is so interconnected that one won´t get the whole picture anymore without it.

 Old perspective before reading the whole trilogy:
 Can´t wait to see how the other parts are, especially regarding its outstanding role in the genre
 What I´ve heard, Cixin did an amazing job in connecting the whole trilogy, especially regarding the scientific, main tropes fueling this new milestone of the genre. With other of my favorite genre authors, whose perfect deliveries I do already know and love, this wouldn´t be so exciting, but because of the special, fresh taste of this first piece of orgiastic sci-fi nerdgasm, I am so looking forward to reading the next parts as unprepared and curious as I could be. And, without being narcissistic (again), this means something.

 New view after having been enlightened and proselytized to just believe in the almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster:
 This trilogy owns close to everything just aspiring to be a big sci fi we´re so small in comparison moment. If you can handle this epic triple, you´ll begin a never ending love affair with the best genre to rule, vivisect, and cosmic body horror them all.

 Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
 https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
 cixin-liu
 387 likes
 7 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Bradley
 Author 5 books 3,849 followers
 September 19, 2015
 From the opening, I was struck by how much history I didn't know about China's Cultural Revolution. It might be obvious to anyone growing up in those parts, of course, but I was almost lost in that story long before I saw that there was anything sci-fi about the novel. This is a good thing. It speaks of good writing.

 And then things changed. I became a frog in a pot. Small hints accumulate, surrounded by mathematical problems both fundamental and curious.

 And then the MC's sanity is questioned. It's an open question that both the reader and the character must answer.

 And then I got an idea. I could easily make the argument that all scientists in this novel are actually Main Characters, and indeed, that theory only becomes crystal clear later in the novel. It was a delight.

 The novel is full of scientist suicides, damn odd hallucinations, all the way to a fantastic virtual reality game that draws intellectuals from around the world before devolving into a suggestive epic space opera featuring some of the most interesting aliens I've read about in a LONG time.

 The worldbuilding is top-knotch-squared.

 The clever uses of technology are the true highlights of the novel, and I'm upset. Why? Because the translations and publications for the next two novels are still in the future. Why am I still upset? Because I can hardly find the other works for this great author.

 A grandmaster of Chinese sci-fi? I can't deny the fact. And just because I can't compare to other science fiction masters of Chinese literature is a null point. I am already a fanboy. I'll be revelling in every work I can get my hands on.

 This is a fantastic example of how great science fiction can be. Truly inspiring.

 Update.

 This novel now a Hugo Nominee for 2015 because of the translation and introduction into the English-speaking market. It is a last minute replacement for Marco Kloos's Lines of Departure that was bravely self-removed due to the Sad Puppy 3 controversy. It wasn't his fault, and he got caught up in some seriously not-cool BS with this year's Hugo. He should be treated like any other Hugo Nominee. With respect and awe for the accomplishment it is, even though he withdrew.

 On the other hand, after finding out that Three Body Problem took his place, I have to admit that it couldn't have happened to a better novel. I loved this one. It was really fantastic and it had everything I like to see in seriously good fiction.

 This one might truly be my top pick for the year. It might be the one I cast my ballot on. But first, I need to read a few more Nominees. I take this very seriously. We bring our levels of joy and dedication to the ideas we thrive on. Awards are only as good as we make them. I refuse to let the Hugo become a quagmire.

 Let the best novel win!

 Brad K Horner's Blog
 fanboy-goes-squee history mindfuq
 ...more
 336 likes
 78 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Lightreads
 641 reviews 520 followers
 January 16, 2015
 A scientist is drawn into a conspiracy involving a computer game and an old research station and extra-terrestrial life.

 Translated from the original Chinese. I have to admit I read this book mostly because the way it's being talked about made me really uncomfortable. There's the contingent who want to treat it as some sort of referendum on the Chinese science fiction landscape, or Chinese literature in general, as it was a wildly successful bestseller there. Yeah, okay, tell you what – go take a look at this week's NY Times bestseller list and pick out the book we should translate into other languages for readers to judge as a referendum on all of American writing of that genre. I'll wait. And then there's the way the translator responded to criticism by making a lot of sweeping statements about Chinese writing that I have very little doubt, even in the absence of any personal expertise, are dubious at best. This book is occupying some weird space in reviewerland, is what I'm saying.

 So I read it, and. Um. It's not very good. Flat characters, some shall we say eyebrow raising decisions regarding women, a lot of but humans don’t human that way , etc. Which kind of figures, since if notions of best seller can be translated, then this book is Chinese Tom Clancy. So . . . there you go.

 It did intrigue me on behalf of other Chinese science fiction, though. The cultural context of this story – the asides about how communism impacted intellectual thought, for example – interested me more than anything else.

 I generally have a pretty good nose for these things, though, and I smell movie deal, for what that's worth.
 fiction science-fiction
 305 likes
 27 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Petrik
 655 reviews 39.9k followers
 September 29, 2017
 3.5/5 Stars

 The Three-Body Problem may be one of the most critically acclaimed Sci-Fi novels of our modern age, and in my opinion, it truly deserved the recognition for all the Sci-Fi ideas and narrative, but not for the characterization.

 The Three-Body Problem, the first book in Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy by Cixin Liu, was actually something I never heard of despite its apparent popularity until I stumbled upon an interview with Barack Obama. He stated that this is one of his favorite novels, Mark Zuckerberg agreed and said the same thing, and that made me decided to give it a try. Plus, the cover for this trilogy is gorgeous. Most of you probably already know that TTBP won Hugo Award for best novel in the year 2015, it also has been nominated for many other Sci-Fi awards and there’s an upcoming movie in production already.

 Pictures: Movie posters of "3Body: Once Upon a Time in Earth". Artworks by Jay Wong





 The question is: does it deserved all the praise it received? Mostly yes, especially when it comes to how the book discussed a lot of relatable topics with our current societies; mostly science (d’oh), religions and human nature.

 “Even if God were here, it wouldn’t do any good. The entire human race has reached the point where no one is listening to their prayers.”


 As far as we know, humans have been reaching for extraterrestrial contact forever now; there’s been plenty of “sightings” or conspiracy theories but none of them are concrete proof. I’m a believer that there are another life forms outside of Earth, and there’s no doubt it will be a groundbreaking discovery when they truly make that first contact with our world. As exciting as that sounds, humans tend to forget that when they do appear, how EXACTLY will humanity react? The Three-Body Problem revolved mostly around this question and the concept of The Three-Body Problem equation—that hasn’t been solved—were used to explore motivation and behavior of humans in the face of the unknown.

 “It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.”


 The book shone light upon many historical events of China’s Cultural Revolution and several philosophies of the well-known scientists such as Einstein. The entire plot was told in two different timelines, Cultural Revolution and our modern age, both in China; the scope of the story, however, is massive. There’s a lot of limitation to what I can talk about here because the main strength of this book lies within its mystery; telling you more of the plot will definitely change your expectation, in fact, I probably already said more than enough.

 One thing you should definitely know though is that this is a hard Sci-Fi, and I will not claim to understand all the scientific terms in this book. I’m not a genius or science freak here, some scientific terms did go over my head. Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite good at envisioning and understanding Sci-Fi in my head, but only when it comes to something that has to do with pewpewpew (laser gun), ngungggggggg (lightsaber), boom boom wooshhh (space opera) or alternate reality stuff; the terms that go over my head mostly have to do with physics and scientific calculations. For someone who on a good day got 7/100 (don’t you dare laugh at me) on their physics final exam back in high school, stating that I understood all the scientific terms here is equivalent to saying an iguana invented iPhone; impossible.

 Now, enough talking about how dumb and dumber I am with physics, my point is, despite some terms I failed to understand, I was never bored throughout my time reading this book. I don’t think it’s fair for me to judge the prose, especially knowing that this is a translated work but in my opinion, Ken Liu did an excellent job on the translation. Cixin/Ken Liu explained the required terms in understanding the plot as easy as possible, making sure that the readers fully understand the plot at least. The reason I say this book is slightly overrated is not due to the plot or scientific terms; how can I possibly judge something as overrated from something that I don’t fully understand? That’s nonsense. However, it's because of the weak characterizations.

 This book is written in third person limited omniscient narrative and this direction is apt for the story that Cixin Liu tried to tell; with a lot of changes in locations and timelines combined with the withholding of information, they provided a sense of mystery that compelled the reader to continue. However, the downside of this is that the characters felt flat and devoid of feelings because we never truly get inside the person’s head. Characterizations are the most important factors in the books I read, and this book suffers from great characters to love. In fact, I'm fully disconnected from the characters that I can’t even bring myself to care whether they die or not.

 Overall, The Three-Body Problem is a great book filled with imaginative ideas and intriguing plot but fell short due to its weak characterizations. If you’re a fan of heavy scientific terms, this is truly a book you must try to read. I can’t wait to see what the sequel has in store because the ending of this book made me realize that this is just a beginning to an epic Sci-Fi tale.

 You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
 252 likes
 37 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Julie
 933 reviews 240 followers
 July 10, 2015
 I'm really waffling between whether to rate "did not like it" vs. "it was okay" -- I very, very rarely give out one stars, and it feels uncharitable because it was a book I wanted to like more than I did, and I want more diverse SF, but... no. I've consciously created a "not my cup of tea" shelf for this very book, however, because a lot of people seem to have liked it. Is this what hard SF is like? In which case, it reminds me of similar "I am completely unable to get interested in this" problems I had with Kim Stanley Robinson last year.

 I actually started this book months ago, but wasn't feeling it after the first chapter and stopped. I picked it up again now, stubbornly ploughing through because of the Hugos, and I kept waiting for it to suddenly turn around and wow me, but... it never did. At the 80% mark, I was still waiting.

 Learning more about the Chinese Cultural Revolution was fascinating, and I liked seeing its colossal effects on Ye, plus the feeling of 'science will save us' that permeates the society. Liu Cixin's imagination of an alien society was really good and unique (dehydrate! dehydrate!).

 Da Shi is, hands-down, the best character of this entire book. I much rather wanted to read his tales of fighting crime, with his seedy, no-bullshit, 'I'm not a good cop, but I'm a great cop' approach. He livened up every scene he was in! Instead, this was so much like reading a physics textbook.

 That's about where my praise ends, because I prefer emotional character-driven plots with some action, whereas this is a science-driven impersonal plod. Who the hell is Wang, our protagonist? After one single scene with his wife and son (!), they literally disappear for the rest of the book, and I couldn't tell you what his personality is like. He's just the viewfinder through which we see information unfold -- and unfold it does, with just reams and reams of exposition and info-dumps.

 The prose is dull. I didn't so much mind it being stilted, and the dialogue carrying the remnants of its original language (a conscious effort on the translator Ken Liu's part), but it's just such a trudging plod. I highlighted a few more poetic passages that I really liked, but for the most part it leans more to clinical and dry.

 I really liked the virtual reality chapters, but after all that buildup, I feel like it just fizzles out and absolutely, literally, nothing has been accomplished by the end of the book. With where the plot goes, the entire book honestly just feels like a prologue for the sequel.

 I feel like the Goodreads blurb was pretty awfully off-base, touting that it has "the scope of Dune and the commercial action of Independence Day ". I... what??? There is literally ONE action scene, it occurs about 90% through the book, and the characters aren't actively involved, just watching on from afar. And while the alien world/society is interestingly-written, it is nowhere near the scope of Dune.

 Without characters with real depth to get attached to, I just never got hooked into this book. Ye has so much potential, but I feel like she wasn't fleshed out enough either -- people's more interesting psychological choices are left unplumbed/unexplored, meaning that I'm left with behaviour that I don't really buy, that doesn't seem natural for a human to do. Specifically: I'm talking about the rebels turning against all of humanity, to the extent of campaigning for the deaths of themselves and their own children. And this is a widespread movement?? We're such a selfish, self-centered, survival-oriented species that I just don't believe it.

 The chronology and pacing is all over the place, too, hopping back and forth in time and as characters tell each other rambling stories. It's slow and sedate and takes forever to get anywhere -- the blurb trumps up the alien invasion , but even that doesn't happen in the book at all, and indeed, won't actually happen for another 400+ years! , so what in the world is the point of this story?

 I mean, I get the point. I get that it's about humans pitted against humans, and the divisive cracks that can tear us apart even without the physical presence of an Other.

 But man, I just couldn't bring myself to care. I'm so sorry, Cixin. I wanted to love it.
 asia-or-aapi hugo-awards-2015 in-translation
 ...more
 242 likes
 29 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Adina
 780 reviews 2,955 followers
 September 6, 2017
 The Three-Body Problem was the best SF novel that I’ve read so far. Admittedly, I did not read a lot of them. However, I can recognize when I encounter a special gem and this one definitely is unique in its world building. Moreover, it is very well written (and translated) which, unfortunately, it is not always the case with SF novels, especially with the classics.

 The first chapters take place in the Chinese Cultural revolution and I thought to be a harrowing experience which perfectly introduced the reader in the oppressive atmosphere of the time. I do not want to say too much of the plot because I believe it is better for each of you to explore it. I went in almost blindly and I appreciated the opportunity to discover by myself how the plot develops. What I can tell is that you will read an amazing blend of Chinese history, mythology, hard SCi-Fi and well crayoned characters. If I were to reveal anything I guess this quote from the first part of the novel is pretty suggestive.

 “It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.”

 The novel can be hard on science sometimes but the aspect did not lower my enjoyment, although I was overwhelmed by some explanations as my background is mostly economics. Despite some long science passages, the narration flows beautifully and I was not bored for one second.

 I am looking forward to reading the next volume in the series and I hope it will not suffer from the 2nd books syndrome.

 **********
 Excellent! One of the best SF books I've read. Review to come.
 china fantasy-sf favorites
 233 likes
 20 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Nataliya
 714 reviews 11.4k followers
 December 18, 2022
 This is when using a few "Expectations vs. Reality" memes could have come in handy, actually. Because I remember that this book made quite a splash in the SFF world (netted a Hugo, actually) and the reviews from my very respected GR friends are overwhelmingly glowing.

 So maybe I just read it wrong, whatever that means. But…



 The story set-up was actually interesting, and there were some ideas that were worth exploring: the startling naivete of believers in a bright shiny idea, and the dangers of one person making decisions that affect the whole humanity, as well as implications of science breakdown. But it is the damn execution that ruined it for me.

 It's the passive detachment that persists through the entire narrative. Not only do things mostly- *just happen* to our main POV person (like those old 19th century novels where the protagonist serves just as our eyes into the story with not much agency and mostly observational powers) but there's a strange lack of emphasis on events and revelations that by all means should elicit any sort of strong response. It seems that the same amount of emotion is spent on a video game as there is on murders and possibility of alien invasion.

 And the wooden, stilted, dry and choppy writing does not help.



 Things are basically just chugging along from A to B to C with no drive behind it. At one point I said to my buddy reader that I have more inner turmoil and emotion picking a pair of socks to wear for the day than a character in this book realizing that truly creepy things are happening . And characters’ conclusions and motivations make ZERO logical sense to me besides that the plot needs them to think a certain way.

 It's a detached monotony with an odd mechanistic cadence to it, and at times I was wondering why I am supposed to care when even the characters don't.



 And then, close to the end, we get a sudden boatload of exposition with extra exposition on top, and my eyes rolled so hard I think I strained a muscle. It was almost as bad as a moustache-twirling villain explaining the plot at the end trope.

 And in the end I realized I just didn’t care, and although this book is nothing but a prologue into a larger story, it seems, I really don’t care enough even to read the entire trilogy synopsis on Wikipedia.

 2 stars, being generous. At least the science bits were almost cool, although exceedingly dry.
 ————

 Buddy read with Alexander Peterhans. Maybe we will have better luck next time.

 ——————

 Also posted on my blog .
 2022-reads hugo-nebula-nominees-and-winners
 204 likes
 105 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Michael Finocchiaro
 Author 3 books 5,419 followers
 February 15, 2020
 Fascinating piece of scifi by Chinese writer Cixin Liu. A surprising mix of nanoscience, string theory, and astrophysics and religion with the Cultural Revolution as a background, the story takes its protagonist Xiao Wang (the nanoscientist) into an adventure that will impact all of humanity. I liked Ye, the astrophysicist, and found Du Shi, the policeman, funny and well-drawn. As for the action and plot, it is easy to read although I got a little lost in the pure science aspects once or twice (despite being an engineer and having dabbled in quantum mechanics years ago). I am excited about reading the next two books (which I suspect will be a little like the Foundation Trilogy by Asimov) and hope you'll also enjoy this one. Note that it won the Hugo award in 2015, kind of a geek's Pulitzer if you will.

 Having finished the entire series, I have to say that it does actually get better and better as it evolves. The narrative structure of this first book is a quite different than the other two but all are extraordinary.
 I am reading the Cixin Liu-approved fan extension, The Redemption of Time by Baoshu now, and it is really good but you have to have finished the trilogy to follow it.

 Fino's Cixin Liu and other Chinese SciFi and Fantasy Reviews
 The Three Body Problem
 The Dark Forest
 Death's End
 The Wandering Earth
 Supernova Era"
 Ball Lightning
 The Redemption of Time (Fan Fiction approved by Cixin Liu)
 Invisible Planets (Short Story Anthology)
 The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories
 The Grace of Kings
 The Wall of Storms
 chinese-21st-c favorites fiction
 ...more
 197 likes
 14 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Baba
 3,504 reviews 738 followers
 May 21, 2022
 Remembrance of Earth's Past #1 : This book won the 2015 Hugo Award for Fiction despite being originally published in Chinese/Mandarin(?) in 2006! How good does a book have to be to sweep all before it at the Hugo's nearly a decade after being first published? Well. It would have to be a book as good as this one! Nanotech engineer Wang Miao is more or less compelled to infiltrate what appears to be a secret cabal of scientists, compelled by a secret military(!) alliance between NATO, the USA and China! While undercover Wang gets absorbed with the online-immersive game 'The Three Body Problem' a game that seeks to build civilisation in a chaotic world with three suns! It begins to dawn on Wang and his betters, that this game might be much much more than it seems!

 A book that starts with one of the key character's Cultural Revolution trauma leading to them being exiled to a scientific research base, a base set up to reach out to possible intelligent life in the universe, was in itself astounding, interesting and uber page turning, until I realised that that was the backstory and just the opening salvo of what I feel beyond doubt will be the greatest speculative fiction / science fiction series I've read since Dan Simmons' The Hyperion Omnibus . This book takes a frank and honest look at the traumatic impact of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on the science community; what could happen to 'real police' forced to serve under authoritarian regimes; how science would most likely reach out to the stars; how the modern world breeds apathy; and most of all beautifully using real and theoretical physics to illustrate questioning the rationale that far advanced extraterrestrial intelligent life would necessarily be any more enlightened than humankind!

 It was after reading Yun's review , and knowing Yun is as wary as I, to award Five Stars and super-praise a read, that I knew that this book had to be something special, and it so was! What I can only really say is just read it. Page for page the most innovative, awe inspiring, far reaching, outrageous take on hard science/speculative fiction I've ever read, a book that dares to bring science itself to the front of storytelling and making it the biggest 'character' in the story, and somehow doing it so well! One. God. Damn. Fine. Read. 10 out of 12, Five Star Read.

 2022 read
 sci-fi-beam-me-up spec-fi-i-guess
 172 likes
 12 comments
 Like
 Comment
 B Schrodinger
 305 reviews 642 followers
 June 30, 2022
 Originally published in it's native Chinese in 2008, The Three-Body Problem has now been translated for English speakers to read and enjoy. It is the first volume in a hugely successful SF trilogy that has proved to be a popular seller in China.

 No matter what our opinions are on the government of China, we all know that they have a history of controlling the media. It was not so long ago that I was reading articles on how even SF stories may not be published if they contain certain themes or SF tropes that the government does not approve of such as time travel. Yet here we have a novel that Tor are willing to bring to an international English audience. So is it a matter of government restrictions being exaggerated or is it proof that art defies restrictions?

 While I can think about these questions I do hit a brick wall after a short while. I'm no geography or political buff. I have no ideas on these matters. But I do know quite a bit about SF and I know a little more about science and I feel that these are the most import factors when reading The Three-Body Problem. Sure it would have been great to know what the hell was going on in those early chapters during the 'cultural revolution', but I guess I was lucky to follow the story when it delved a bit into quantum mechanics and orbital mechanics. And while a reader without this knowledge would not have a problem following the story at all and could easily skim those sections, they definitely were rewarding and offered a greater depth to the story. And I'm sure that someone with a knowledge of modern Chinese history would have felt the same.

 Three-Body is essentially the story of two scientists, Ye Wenjie, an engineer working in a top-secret military base during the 1970's, and Wang Miao, a nanotechnologist in current day China. While events in current day China unfold for Wang, the story of Ye is told in alternate sections. The nature of the top-secret base is uncovered during the intricate story and don't worry, it's not a bad X-Files ripoff at all.

 But I did find Wang's story much more interesting and frightening. It explores the idea of the failure of science. What happens if over time scientific endeavours consistently defy any conjectures or postulates, refuse to comply with any previously known laws and just keep on giving random and seemingly supernatural outcomes? It may sound a bit trivial here, but the more you think about it, the more frightening it is. And the author explores this and truly did convey the horror to me as the reader. The events of this book had me tense and on-edge at several points.

 There really are some fascinating ideas pursued in this book and it is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking read in the style of SF greats such as Kim Stanley Robinson and Asomiv. The style of interchanging stories with historical aspects, as well as some of the style did remind me of Murakami, but I have no idea if this is being literature racist as this is the only other Asian book I have read other than those by Murakami. It also had echoes of Neal Stephenson in that it was an intricate and baroque plot full of subterfuges and technical writing. But maybe I'm just projecting two of my favourite authors onto another book that I enjoyed.

 So here is one reader that is converted to the forthcoming volumes and possibly converted to reading more international SF. Both Stanislaw Lem and the Strugatsky brothers failed to take my interest, but Liu Cixin has managed to produce something that I really did enjoy and also made me think big thoughts.



 September 2016 Reread:

 Nothing has changed, but I put my star rating up. It is a special read that I enjoyed just as much the second time around. Yes, there were very little surprises, but I appreciated the pacing and understood more about the characters and the history.

 I saved my reading of Book 2 and 3 until they were all out. I'm too old and there are too many other books to read to have to reread a series each time a new volume comes out.

 See you all for for Book 2 review.
 first-contact physics science-fiction
 169 likes
 27 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Samantha
 401 reviews 16.6k followers
 December 23, 2017
 While this is obviously a masterpiece of hard sci-fi, that is also the reason I had a hard time connecting to it. While the science behind it all is complex and interesting, I found myself glazing over many a time and detaching from the story. The characters didn't feel real to me. Aside from that, this is a book I'd love to discuss with others because I wonder how much of this book was harder for me due to cultural and historical differences I wasn't even aware of while reading.

 I think I have discovered that hard sci-fi is not for me, as I need more of a connection to the story and characters, but I'd recommend this for any science buff.
 154 likes
 12 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Matt Quann
 607 reviews 375 followers
 September 29, 2020
 I just spent a week with this hard science fiction, Hugo-award winning novel from Chinese author Cixin Liu and I have to admit: I'm impressed.

 The Three-Body Problem had me putting off tasks to pick it up, stuck with me throughout my day, and was always a pleasure to read when I sat down with it. With that said, this isn’t a novel I’d easily recommend to everyone. This isn’t a review that offers a pan-recommendation along with its 5-star rating. Indeed, this review seeks to help an intrigued reader decide if this book would be a good fit for them and their reading taste.

 Hard Sci-Fi

 The premise of The Three-Body Problem is that an alien civilization receives a message from a Chinese scientist in the 1970s and plans to come to Earth, naturally, for a good old-fashioned invasion.

 I know, I know. You’ve read this story before, right?

 I assure you that this is a wholly original take wherein the aliens don’t even make a proper appearance for the entire novel. Instead, The Three-Body Problem is more concerned with its titular problem, scientific history, cutting edge scientific theory, and a fair smattering of ludicrous science near the novel’s end. This novel revels in its appreciation of science and a bit of brushing up on introductory physics would not go amiss.

 However, if you don’t recall the mathematical expression that governs the motion of two celestial bodies in a vacuum, you need not worry. Cixin Liu (and his translator, Ken Liu) does a fantastic job in explaining basic and high-level science concepts in clear language. Although there were times in which I had to set the book down to interpret, these moments were largely towards the end of the book where the science gets really out there.

 I was also less than impressed with the video game within the book that serves as an introduction to the alien civilization. Roughly, each time the game is booted up the player is greeted by an ever-advancing Earth-based representation of scientific progress. So, at first you meet an ancient Chinese king, but eventually you hang out with Einstein. This grew on me after the first few chapters set in the game. Liu uses these sections to convey the difficulty of the scientific problem at hand, show reverence for science history, and introduce the civilization in an innocuous way.

 Space & Time

 One of the things that really sets this reading experience apart from traditional science fiction is that it is really, really Chinese. The first 100 pages deal mostly with the Chinese Cultural Revolution. In fact, after 100 pages I realized that I was enjoying that material so much that I wouldn’t have minded if aliens never stopped in. Of course, as the novel goes on it does an excellent job of weaving together the threads from the Cultural Revolution and the impending invasion.

 This Chinese-based sci-fi is a breath of fresh air, and it’s a shame that China’s most popular sci-fi author has never made the jump to English before. Not only is it set in a different part of the world from most sci-fi you’ll encounter, but it also feels remarkably different in writing style and plot development. Where other novels skim over the nitty-gritty of the science behind spectacle, The Three-Body Problem spends pages making sure the reader knows what to expect. This never feels obnoxious; on the contrary, it is refreshing to see an author convey a concept in such understandable language.

 Though the novel alternates between the time of discovery during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the present day story, it never feels random. There are stretches where I spent 50 pages in the present, took a brief 10 page detour into the past, only to return for a lengthy bit set in the present. The story unfolds rather than following a strictly predictable path. Instead of predictability, it seems guided by logic. You don’t know about Y, but once you know X, Y follows much more easily.

 This all makes for a read that is compelling because it makes the reader feel as if they are hot on the pursuit of the central mystery.

 The Three Dimensional Character Problem

 You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t mentioned the cast of characters, and there’s good reason. I’m not the first reader to note this, but the lead characters in The Three-Body Problem are pretty flat. Indeed, Wang Miao may be a brilliant nanotechnology researcher, but I’d be hard pressed to tell you much about his personality. Instead of driving the plot, Wang reacts to it. I never felt that the decisions he makes in the novel were guided by his belief system. He’s kind of like the cart on an on-rail amusement park ride. The ride sure is thrilling, but you’re unlikely to remember much about the cart.

 Now, normally I’d be roasting this book alive for having such weak characterization. I mean, why read a book if you don’t care about the characters? The Three-Body Problem genuinely makes the case for having a fairly empty lead. I kept thinking during my read that I could imagine being in Wang’s shoes, pulling back the curtain on yet another mystery. It is genuinely impressive that Liu is able to pull off, at least for me, the sensation of feeling like you’re in on the mystery that would be lost with a stronger character.

 Conclusion?

 This novel doesn’t end with resolution, though you could conceivably just read this novel and come away with a complete story. Of course, there are two more novels in the series that will delve further into the impressive, exciting, and pessimistic world that Liu has created. I’m hoping for some better-developed characters, but will happily continue on if the subsequent books are as mentally stimulating as this.

 I’d suggest tackling this one if you are interested in a headier science-fiction story that eschews typical western plot, makes your brain twist and turn into weird shapes, and makes the case for more translated SFF.

 **The second book is better than the first! You can find my review of The Dark Forest here!
 favourites not-can-us-or-uk sci-fi
 ...more
 141 likes
 18 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Lyn
 1,847 reviews 16.3k followers
 March 27, 2017
 I liked this and there is no doubt that this is a science heavy, brilliantly produced and contemplated, highly original SF novel from a physics understanding Chinese author that was good enough to win a slew of awards including the Hugo.

 But I like to watch Ridiculousness. I like Travis McGee. I like Mickey F****** Spillane. Beer and pizza and a bug zapper is quality entertainment.

 “Conan – what is best in life?”

 Three Body Problem did not have near enough axe welding barbarians or laser beams for my taste.

 Liu Cixin’s wildly popular, speculative fiction gem was first published in China in 2008 as 三体 (I guess – that’s what it says on Goodreads) and I enjoyed the English translation written by Ken Liu (himself a very talented writer) published in 2014.

 Liu begins in the late 60s during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and then moves forward in time to a near future where a strange virtual reality game replicates an even stranger reality.

 And the aliens.

 Maybe I would have liked this more if I were a physicist. A very smart commentator opined that perhaps Westerners don’t get the subtle nuances of a writer whose cultural background is not based upon the individual but rather is more attuned to a gestalt perspective.

 “Brilliant and entertaining “
 – Dr. Sheldon Cooper.

 129 likes
 15 comments
 Like
 Comment
 David Brin
 Author 270 books 3,050 followers
 November 17, 2014
 The Three-Body Problem is part one of an award-winning trilogy by Liu Cixin — and is arguably the best Chinese science fiction novel ever translated into English. Liu uses the “three-body problem” of classical mechanics to ask some terrifying questions about human nature and what lies at the core of civilization.

 The series explores the world of the Trisolarans, a race that is forced to adapt to life in a triple star system, on a planet whose gravity, heat, and orbit are in constant flux. Facing extinction, the Trisolarans plan to evacuate and conquer the nearest habitable planet, and finally chooses a candidate/victim when it intercepts a message—from Earth. The Three-Body Problem has been translated into English by award-winning writer, Ken Liu (author of books such as The Grace of Kings). Take a look at Stephan Martiniere's way-cool cover for the coming Tor Books edition!)

 Special note… The Three Body Problem deals very closely with the issue of SETI and the Fermi Paradox and whether we should shout "yoo-hoo!" into the cosmos -- a quandary about which I've also written, from time to time.
 ￼

 But the biggest news is this proof of the maturation of Chinese science fiction into the top ranks of thorough and fascinating thought experimentation. I’ve long maintained that the health of an enlightened and progressive society is measured by how vibrant is its science fiction, since that is where true self-critique and appraisal and hope lie. If so, the good news stretches beyond China!
 115 likes
 7 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Rachel the Book Harlot
 175 reviews 45 followers
 June 28, 2015
 2.5 stars

 There has been an enormous amount of buzz and accolades surrounding Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem. It has been nominated for numerous awards, including a 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Does it deserve all the hype? In some respects I can see why it has garnered so much praise. The science is fun, there are some interesting philosophical concepts, and the world-building is also interesting. However, that for me is where the praise ends. Where the book fails is in the basic fundamentals of what makes a good story: writing, characterization, pacing, and plot. Harsh, I know.

 The characters are flat, the writing is lifeless and choppy, the pacing is slow as molasses in some places, and some of the dialogue is downright terrible. There are instances where the author awkwardly uses dialogue to info dump:

 "Professor Wang, we want to know if you've had any recent contacts with members of the Frontiers of Science," the young cop said.

 "The Frontiers of Science is full of famous scholars,and very influential. Why can't I have contact with a legal international academic group?"


 There are also weird instances where characters behave like stage actors, having side conversations with one another in order to provide the audience with info while other characters in the scene pretend not to listen. Strange and awkward.

 Despite these problems, the story does start out interesting enough with the character of Ye Wenjie during the Chinese Revolution. However, it later jumps to the modern day, through the point of view character of Wang Miao, where its problems can no longer be ignored and the story fizzles.

 Perhaps it is unfair of me to heap such harsh criticism at the writing since this is a translation from the original Chinese. Maybe these issues do not appear in the original? I cannot be sure, and if someone has read the original I'd love to hear your thoughts. But, as it stands I can only go with the version I've read. Sorry, book. You had some interesting elements, but not enough to overlook the problems.

 Final Rating: 2.5 Stars
 science-fiction
 97 likes
 10 comments
 Like
 Comment
 John Mauro
 Author 4 books 285 followers
 June 15, 2022
 My complete review is published at Grimdark Magazine .

 Against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, Ye Wenjie’s father is a well-accomplished physics professor at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing. His embrace of Western science—including the work of Einstein and Bohr—leads him to be accused of embracing reactionary ideologies. He is beaten to death by students from the Red Guard in front of his terrified daughter. Ye Wenjie herself later becomes persecuted and imprisoned for embracing Western thought. She is saved by two military scientists working at the Red Coast, a top-secret space program by the Chinese government, who recognize Ye Wenjie’s outstanding abilities as a physicist.

 The core idea of The Three-Body Problem draws directly from Stanisław Lem’s 1961 sci-fi classic, Solaris , which considers whether a planet that orbits two suns can support the evolution of life. In Solaris , the two suns have vastly different intensities, causing the climate of the orbiting planet, Solaris, to vary drastically depending upon which of the two suns is currently closer. The resulting climatic fluctuations cast doubt upon whether Solaris has a climate consistent enough to support biological evolution, which requires relative climatic stability over millions of years.

 In The Three-Body Problem , Cixin Liu ups the ante by introducing a third sun to the problem. The orbital path of a planet around three suns poses a complex mathematical problem that has eluded solution for hundreds of years. In The Three-Body Problem , the orbiting planet, Trisolaris, experiences periods of relative stability punctuated by periods of sudden climatic chaos.

 Throughout its planetary history, Trisolaris has undergone hundreds of stable periods, where society has achieved varying levels of scientific and technological development, only to be wiped out by sudden climate changes. The Trisolarans have evolved the ability to dehydrate themselves to survive through these periods of chaos, but they have finally determined that the only way their society can survive in the long-term is to colonize another inhabitable planet with a more stable climate. Compared to Trisolaris, the pale blue dot we know as Earth looks rather enticing.

 Beyond its excellent treatment of scientific principles, The Three-Body Problem raises several important philosophical questions, the deepest of these being: Is humanity worth saving? As Ye Wenjie becomes one of the leading scientists searching for extraterrestrial life, her experiences during the Cultural Revolution have molded her views on the value of humanity.

 Read my full review at Grimdark Magazine .
 96 likes
 5 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽
 1,878 reviews 22.6k followers
 September 27, 2018
 This Hugo Award winning SF novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin is delightfully intelligent and complex, and I really appreciated the authentic Chinese characters in the story and the insights into China's history and culture. The novel is also a little slow and dry in parts, with a certain formality that (I would guess) echoes the original Chinese writing style. I also had some trouble keeping all of the characters straight in my head; most of the characters have Chinese names, and the names tended to blend together in my brain, partly due to my lack of familiarity with that language and partly because characterization isn’t really one of the strengths of this book.

 It begins in the 1960s, during the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath. A respected professor is beaten to death by three young women who are Red Guards, and his astrophysicist daughter, Ye Wenjie, is eventually shipped off to a remote mountaintop where a government-sponsored group is secretly exploring the possibility of electronic communication with aliens. Eventually it actually works - but there's a clear possibility of danger to all of humanity. Ye Wenjie makes a fateful decision. We then jump forward some 40+ years, where the story picks up again with the fallout from that decision, though we're favored with a few more flashbacks to the sixties.

 This novel is not going to be every reader's cuppa tea, but I think readers who like intricately plotted hard (VERY hard) SF novels should definitely give this series a try. I flailed and almost gave up when I hit some chapters that involve lengthy, detailed descriptions of a video game, a very odd role-playing game on an alien world (yet with human characters). But I powered through, and once all the pieces started fitting together, it got fascinating. I'm up for book #2!

 Full review to come.
 science-fiction
 91 likes
 13 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Metodi Markov
 1,250 reviews 285 followers
 December 29, 2022
 Българските читатели имат отчаяна нужда от модерни, умело написани и смели фантастични книги. Такива, със съвсем малки изключения достигат до книжния ни пазар толкова рядко, че всяка прилетяла бяла лястовица се превръща в мини сензация.

 Като верен почитател на жанра, формирал част от личните ми книжни предпочитания в края на осемдесетте и през деветдесетте години на миналия век, давам на "Трите тела" от Лиу Цъсин много висока оценка - и историята, и героите са чудесно развити и задържаха интереса ми до край. Признавам, не разбрах всичко от физиката в книгата, но схванах общите идеи на автора и това само засили удоволствието ми.

 Лиу Цъсин е вплел в интригата на този роман много интересни проблеми, върху които си струва човек да си поблъска главата. Очаквам развитието на клопките заложени пред човешката цивилизация от събитията през "Трите тела" в следващите части да е отново майсторски изпипано!

 Интересно би било и да се научи, как се е промъкнала тази книга покрай жестоката комунистическа цензура властваща в червен Китай и в този момент.

 Цитати:

 "В Китай всяка по-възвишена мисъл е обречена да се сгромоляса на земята. Гравитационното поле на реалността е твърде силно." (важи не само за там)

 "Защо човечеството няма вродени знания за законите на Вселената?"

 P.S. Преводът на г-н Стефан Русинов от китайски е чудесен и допринася много да се насладим напълно на това отлично четиво!

 Тук можете да чуете интересните размисли на преводача за книгата и неговата работа по нея:

 https://anchor.fm/stefan-rusinov/epis...
 2020 favorites linz
 ...more
 86 likes
 8 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Erica
 1,294 reviews 427 followers
 April 7, 2016
 Alright. I read this wrong. It's all on me.
 I've got my Cone of Shame and am headed to the Shame Corner right now.
 It was nice being out for awhile but we all knew I couldn't stay out for long.

 I'm not sure if something was lost in translation, if I'm just really not good at science, or if I am waaaaay too American, but whatever the case, I did not enjoy this.

 Well, I did , but only through maybe the first half. Then it got tedious, then it got boring, then it got downright ridiculous, and then I stabbed my ears out so I wouldn't have to listen anymore.

 The story follows two timelines and characters that you know are going to intersect.
 It starts with (phonetically-spelled, based on the reader's terrible pronunciation): Astrophysicist Yeah Wen-Sia who sees her father killed by three fanatic teenage girls when he won't deny science during the Cultural Revolution. Then, her favorite and best teacher commits suicide, her mother, who is terribly unstable, abandons her, and her sister has joined the Revolution and is a fanatic in her own right. Ye is angry and carries this anger with her to the woods where she is employed in deforestation at the base of Red Coast Station which is, essentially, a military base with a huge satellite that sits up on top of a hill and is fairly inaccessible and anyone who even strolls near will be shot.

 The second storyline is that of (phonetically-spelled, based on the reader's terrible pronunciation) Wong Meow, owner of zero personality. He's a nanotech/biology somesuch researcher scientist in the current day who is alarmed when the nation's top physicists and other brainy sorts start committing suicide. I don't really remember, if I ever actually knew, how he falls into all of this, but he gets involved, via a tough-as-nails cop named Dah Shee, with a sort of investigation into the larger scope of the problem that is causing these scientists to kill themselves.
 Through a series of not-noticeable events, Wang finds out about an online game called Three Body and he decides to play. It's a weird game that follows civilizations as they grow and then collapse on a world where there are three suns and these suns pose a real-life (like, real to our lives) mathematical quandary called the Three Body Problem in which three things whiz around a stationary object (I think. I may be making the stationary object up) but each has a different kind of orbit and they're sort of random and you must find the pattern of their zoomings to predict when they'll be close to each other or the object and when they'll be farthest apart, etc. How can you track the movement of these three bodies to predict what they'll do next, is the question. At any rate, if you solve the Three Body Problem in the game, you win. Only really smart people can play this game, obviously. People whose brains think in spatial relationships and numbers at all hours of the day, I assume.

 There are more characters but these are the main two and their lives intersect and things happen.

 Before I spew forth my list of what I misunderstood, I'm going to share what I thought I was going to read.

 The Direction In Which I Thought This Book Would Go : Someone, namely Yeah Wen-Sia, bent on revenge against humanity, reached out to SPAAAACE during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Aliens got the message and replied. Some aliens want to conquer us because of course but others send us the Three Body game as an introduction to their history and to build sympathy so that we offer them solace in our system or, at the very least, help them with their three body problem. The Tri-Solarans race to see who gets here first and one of the groups manages to send two protons to Earth. But are they protons or are they actually ships/bacteria/something sinister from aliens? What do they do? Why were they sent?
 Chaos ensues as the Good Aliens try to help those of us who want to save Earth fend off the Bad Aliens - all the same race, just different factions - and their human allies who think people should be eradicated because they destroy everything. The Bad Aliens don't want us to spread throughout the galaxies because, again, we destroy everything so they must destroy us first. The Good Aliens want to colonize us and live here because their own homeworld is in peril due to the unpredictability of their crazyass suns. We lose no matter what but is it better to be enslaved or to be eliminated?
 Yeah leads one side while Wong leads the other and there's an epic rap battle at the end! WHO WON! WHO'S NEXT?

 What Actually Happened and Why I Lost Interest : Ye reached out, bent on revenge, then made up an entire alien race based on one reply she received eight years after her accidental Message to the Universe was sent. Someone created a game based on Ye’s made-up alien race and scientist-types played it to solve a math problem but then went mad (it may have been the protons) and killed themselves. Maybe the Adventists, one of three cult factions that formed in regard to First Contact, were behind the game because they were actually the only ones receiving information from the aliens and, presumably, giving info back. The game was won but then the nature of the game changed and players found out there had been multiple inhabited worlds and now there was only one because the suns kept bumping into the worlds and destroying them and the one that was still left was doomed and the TriSolarans (those are the people from the game and also the aliens who have been talking to China) want to move here and also want to kill us and the new End Game is to get TriSolarans to invent space travel. Then there was a big philosophical political thinkpiece over on the alien world that we got to hear and it was slapstickedly represented and then there was talking and something else happened I couldn’t quite grasp, all of it built on a foundation of theoretical physics. Then we were back on Earth and a battle was about to begin. I think.

 And here are the things I just did not understand at all :
 1) The computer game. I actually loved it. It was really intriguing. Wong had to wear a haptic suit (like in Ready Player One) in the game, though I don't actually know why except to feel the extreme temperatures but ok, that's fine. There are extreme temperature fluctuations in this game and that's probably important plus it's fun to say "haptic suit." But here's the thing. The game is about the fall of civilization when a chaotic event occurs and wipes everything out and the further civilization can build, the closer it can get to solving the Three Body Problem and winning the game. I thought it was a multi-player game and it seems there is some crossover because players in and out of game recognize Wang but it also seems everyone has to play their own version of the game. At first, I thought everyone was a player and wondered what they did while they were dehydrated - did they just log in and sit there, being dehydrated in a stack of other dehydrated people? (during chaos times, all but a skeleton crew dehydrates and gets stored in dehydration silos. That way, during stable times, everyone (and thing) can be rehydrated to work on civilization. Yay!) But then another player said she'd gone through 203 civilizations when Wong had only experienced 194, or something, and while everyone knew his in-game character, he knew no others, so...ok, confused. Just how does this online game work, people?
 2) How many people know there's been contact with other sentient life out in the universe? Apparently, a lot of people because there are cultish factions built around the idea of the Tri-Solarans: The Adventists who want humanity wiped out, the Redemptionists who want to help The Lord solve the Three Body Problem OR let the Tri-Solarans come live here peacefully just as long as everyone stays alive and unenslaved. Probably. And the Survivors. Those are all the lower-class, poor people who just want to keep living. The militaries and governments of some of Europe and of America (but not Canada or South America, apparently) all get together and talk about the upcoming war. The Chinese police force are aware of the incoming danger. And yet, supposedly, it's not widely known that intelligent life has responded to queries...What?
 3) Ok. Math. I suck at it, I admit, but help me out here. Ye sent her message and eight years later, she got a reply. However, The Listener got the original message and is the one who sent back the "Don't reply, you dumbass" message and then they get a reply, like, half an hour later. And suddenly, the two worlds are essentially emailing back and forth. Apparently. How'd that work?
 Related: The TriSolarans are on their way to Earth, right? They've sent two protons to ahead of them, kind of Trojan protons and I didn't understand what that was all about but whatever. They got two protons here, probably using their email service. It was probably sent as a pdf, or something. The point being, they got here fast because they could travel fast. However, the ship the TriSolarans are traveling to Earth in will take 450 years to get here because while it can drive 10 times the speed of light, it can't keep that up and has to do a lot of coasting. Yet people are all freaking out over this bunch of aliens who will be here in just under half a century. But then the Judgement Day ship - and I assume that's an alien ship? - shows up and is sliced to pieces at the Panama Canal. Where the hell did the Judgement Day ship come from?? What happened? Someone please explain this to me? I don't understand how time works! Actually, I think I must have missed an entire chapter in which the Judgement Day ship was explained because I have no idea what went on there.
 4) The sliced ship brings me to my next item of contention. How did humans know where the ship was going to show up? They had discussed different places to set up this crazy nanofilament trap (how did they set that up, by the way, without slicing up everything the filaments touched?) because they needed certain environmental factors to be met but none of those factors were where the ship may dock. So they set it up across the Panama Canal and voila! The ship appears. I don't even know where it came from. The sky? Was it an ocean liner? What was this ship and who was on it and how'd it get to the Panama Canal? EXPLAIN!
 5) So we get to meet the Tri-Solarans (I think. I mean, I suppose we could have been seeing mainly what was going on in Ye's head as she read the love letters that went back and forth from Earth to TriSolaria) and they're a little bit silly. They sounded like a Monty Python sketch about high-falutin' types who take themselves too seriously. Anyway, they decide they can't actually do any better living on Earth but they'll wipe us out anyway because we're going to become a disease later on so they may as well do the universe a favor. What kind of logic is that? They're on the brink of extinction and they decide we should go, too? But before they do that, they have to make us stop having science because if we don't, we'll be able to beat their asses by the time they get here. Interestingly enough, there is only one kind of science in the universe because what we can see, hear, smell...all the things we can sense are the only things that exist in the entirety of space and time so TriSolaran science and Earthling science are the same which is why they understand how far we've come and how far we'll get in another 450 years and so they must stop our science for their own safety. This is all based on information I assume the Adventists emailed to them over their years of loving correspondence? I...what?
 An aside: Thank goodness Mike Evans died pointing to the computers that housed the secret alien emails. Because why wouldn't you be toting those along with you to the Panama Canal, amirite?

 Ok, so, it's obvious this went WAY over my head. Way way way over. I'm probably too inculturated in Western SciFi to be able to appreciate what I listened to. And, by the way, what I listened to was crap because, yet again, the narrator is some white dude who doesn't speak Chinese. Also, he made the Chinese tough-as-nails cop's voice alternate between a NYC beat cop accent and a Texan accent. It was bizarre. I did not enjoy that at all.

 I've read several of the other five-star reviews here and I've yet to find any enlightenment on my misunderstandings. I'm just seeing a lot of people going nuts over how amazing this is and I can't understand, even from their glowing reviews, what they read that I didn't.

 This is the first in a trilogy. I feel like I should listen to them all just to find out if any of my questions are answered but I'm not really into self-torture so probably, I'll pass.
 asia audiobook cults
 ...more
 81 likes
 34 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Ahmad Sharabiani
 9,568 reviews 55.6k followers
 February 24, 2022
 三体 = Trisomy = The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past #1), Liu Cixin

 The Three-Body Problem is the first novel of the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion.

 تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز هجدهم ماه فوریه سال2022میلادی

 عنوان: سه جرم کیهانی کتاب نخست از سه گانه یادآوری گذشته زمین؛ نویسنده سیکسین لیو (سیشین لیو)؛ مترجم شهناز صاعلی؛ ترجمه از متن انگلیسی؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس؛ سال1398؛ در416ص؛ شابک9786001825798؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان چین - سده21م

 دومین و سومین رمان از این سه گانه: «جنگل تاریک» و «پایان مرگ» هستند

 در پس زمینه انقلاب فرهنگی «چین»، یک پروژه نظامی پنهانی سیگنالهایی را برای برقراری تماس با بیگانگان به فضا میفرستد؛ یک تمدن بیگانه ی در آستانه ی نابودی سیگنال را میگیرد و میخواهد به زمین یورش کند؛ در هم��ن حال، بر روی زمین، اردوگاه‌های گوناگونی به شکل‌گیری آغاز و برنامه‌ریزی می‌کنند

 نقل از متن: (اتحاد سرخ به مدت دو روز مرکز فرماندهی بریگاد سرخ بیست و هشت آوریل را مورد حمله قرار داد؛ پرچم‌های سرخ آن‌ها بی‌امان در اطراف ساختمان بریگاد سرخ در اهتزاز بود، همچون آتشی که ولع بلعیدن جنگل را دارد؛ فرمانده اتحاد سرخ نگران بود البته نه به دلیل مقاومت بریگاد سرخ در برابر آن‌ها؛ چون در حدود دویست نفر افراد بریگارد سرخ بیست و هشت آوریل در برابر سربازان‌ کهنه‌کار‌‌ اتحاد سرخ، سربازانی تازه‌کار و مبتدی بیش نبودند، گارد سرخ اتحاد سرخ در آغاز انقلاب پرولتاری بزرگ در ابتدای سال1966میلادی تشکیل شد، و با داشتن تجربه‌ ی پر جار و جنجال تورهای انقلابی در سراسر کشور و صف‌آرایی عظیم دیدار با رئیس «مائو» در میدان «تیانانمن» آبدیده و ورزیده شده بود؛ فرمانده اتحاد سرخ از ده دوازده اجاق آهنی داخل ساختمان می‌ترسید، که پر از مواد منفجره بودند، و به وسیله ی چند چاشنی الکتریکی به هم متصل شده بودند؛ فرمانده آن‌ها را نمی‌دید، اما مثل آهنی که کشش آهن‌ربایِ نزدیکش را ردیابی می‌کند، وجود مواد منفجره را حس می‌کرد؛ اگر مدافع گارد سرخ سوئیچ را می‌زد، انقلابیون و ضد انقلابیون، همگی یکجا، در گلوله ی آتشی عظیم می‌مردند؛ و از جوانان گارد سرخ بریگاد بیست و هشت آوریل، واقعاً چنین دیوانگی‌ای برمی‌آمد؛ در مقایسه با مردان و زنان سرد و گرم چشیده‌ ی اولین نسل گارد سرخ، این شورشیان جدید، یک گله گرگ روی زغال آتشین و دیوانه‌تر از هر دیوانه‌ای بودند.)؛ پایان نقل

 تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 04/12/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا.شربیانی
 21th-century asia china
 ...more
 80 likes
 Like
 Comment
 ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ Mrs. Buttercup •*¨*•♫♪
 651 reviews 325 followers
 May 25, 2020
 “Is it possible that the relationship between humanity and evil is similar to the relationship between the ocean and an iceberg floating on its surface? Both the ocean and the iceberg are made of the same material. That the iceberg seems separate is only because it is in a different form. In reality, it is but a part of the vast ocean.”



 Reading this book was an incredibly enriching experience. Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres, but I have to admit that sometimes books in this category can be a little "superficial" and mainly for entertainment purposes. I believe this author reached peaks comparable to Asimov with this work! I couldn't put this book down, and I even read whole sections of it more than once for pure pleasure (and also some because I couldn't understand what he was saying 🤣 I'm not a quantum physicist so yeah 🤣). What a ride! A true work of genius.



 As for the three different settings of the book, the contemporary one, the historical one (set during the chinese revolution) and the "sci-fi" one (of which I am not going to talk to prevent spoilers), I was intrigued by the first, extremely interested in the second, and absolutely mesmerized by the third. The length of the novel and the ability of the writer created a world so well-built and immersive that I felt catapulted in an other dimension. Until now, only a few sci-fi books have given me a similar experience, and they are all "classics". I truly believe this one to be a modern classic already.



 Finally, the richness of the purely sci-fi aspect of it, is so imaginative and revolutionary that I am sure I will think about it for years to come. Some sections of it reminded me of pioneer texts like Flatland (if you've read both books, I am pretty sure you know of which part I am talking about). I would like to write more, but really I don't want to spoil this experience to anyone! I can only recommend with the greatest enthusiasm to read this book as soon as possible! 🙃



 note: I just finished re-reading this book and I can confirm 100% that this is a masterpiece!!! Can't wait to go on with the series.
 2019-favorites audiobooks re-reads
 80 likes
 9 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Warwick
 809 reviews 14.4k followers
 January 6, 2018
 In an afterword, Liu expresses his opinion that science fiction should not be used to make social commentary but should instead restrict itself to playing with ideas of science and technology. I was surprised to see that because Three Body had struck me (tentatively, since I know little about China) as an especially Chinese novel, with much to say about how societies should be organised. The portrait of an ‘authoritarian’ alien civilisation, where individuality is repressed in favour of homogenous common benefit, seemed almost too obvious a comment on Communism, especially when juxtaposed, as it is here, with historical scenes of the Cultural Revolution.

 Whether you accept his protestations or not is unlikely to affect your enjoyment of the novel, which blends historical tragedy with the kind of slow-burning first contact story that harks back to the golden age of the 1940s and '50s in the US. Perhaps the most fascinating scenes in the book, and certainly the eeriest, are those set within a virtual-reality computer game which is concerned with the practical implications of the three-body problem in physics; these chapters seem grand and bleak and impressively inhuman in scope.

 Less successful, perhaps, are the interpersonal relationships and the motivations of the characters in general. The plot hinges on the assumption that, faced with a particular challenge to their scientific and existential ideas, vast numbers of people would deliberately opt for suicide, both personally and in terms of trying to destroy their entire species. This seemed a little infeasible to me, though perhaps it's just a more Chinese way of looking at things. Either way, it makes for a curious and unusual plot. (An interesting companion read might be Adam Roberts's Yellow Blue Tibia , which used first contact as a way of writing about Stalin's Russia.)

 The translation, from (the unrelated) Ken Liu, is excellent on a sentence-by-sentence level, though apparently he rearranged some of the chapters for an English-speaking audience, which I can't say I approve of.
 china fiction sci-fi
 80 likes
 3 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Blaine
 712 reviews 574 followers
 June 9, 2021
 To effectively contain a civilization’s development and disarm it across such a long span of time, there is only one way: kill its science.
 The Three-Body Problem is a very original story, and one that’s rather difficult to describe. Set in the present, in flashbacks against the backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and at some points in cyberspace, this novel tells a tale of humanity’s first contact with an alien race.

 I have read reviews stating that The Three-Body Problem feels Chinese. I can’t say whether the book feels Chinese (though it is set there) or whether it’s just this writer’s style. I can say that this book is hard sci-fi, like a Crichton novel on steroids. There are extensive sections in which various physics or computing concepts are laid out. They all serve the plot well, but this style will not be for everyone. Especially since the main weakness of the book is characterization. There is really only one fully developed character (Ye Wenjie), and one entertaining sidekick (Da Shi). Otherwise, the characters are generally passive and largely forgettable.

 The Three-Body Problem is a plot-driven story about big ideas. I love that it is very pro-science: science is the hope for humanity, and stopping earth’s scientific progress is the goal of our enemies. I can see why it won the Hugo Award for best science-fiction novel. I will definitely read the second book in the trilogy. Recommended, and highly recommended if you enjoy hard sci-fi.
 2017 from-library
 79 likes
 Like
 Comment
 Frank Hidalgo-Gato Durán
 Author 9 books 209 followers
 May 8, 2021
 Sexta: Bravo! Realmente una magnífica obra. Gran derroche de conceptos metafísicos constatables en esta obra. Es ciencia ficción dura, de hoy, ningún blablabla, pura materia gris e información trascendental. Me ha encantado! Fuente de inspiración pura!Pronto comienzo con la segunda parte!

 Quinta: Muy bien documentado. Conceptos científicos ( ingeniería y metafísica )muy bien amarrados y defendidos a la hora no sólo de su exposición sino tambien en su manejo al convertirlos en ciencia ficción creíble.

 Cuarta: Me gusta mucho! Pero ya estoy esperando el momento en que el autor desacelere un poco el “hype” ya que con esto se consigue desarrollar un gran final. Vamos viendo 😊👍

 Tercera: Este libro me está... encantando! Cumple con mis constantes necesidades de desarrollo, crecimiento y expansión de mi red neuronal hacia el cosmos! La magia del conocimiento!!! Mi trilogía no está nada mal señores... nada mal!!!! Continúo.

 Segunda: Vaya! Me está gustando mucho! Os lo juro, hasta ahora me va recordando a mi trilogía!, en el estilo, la proyección y construcción de la historia y su narrativa. Continuamos!😊👍

 Primera reseña: Comienzo con este libro del cual me han tambien hablado mucho y dicen que es muuuuyyy bueno, premiado con el premio Hugo. Como siempre,lo puntúo al final. A ver qué tal! 😊👍
 ficción
 79 likes
 Like
 Comment
 Swrp
 561 reviews 89 followers
 May 23, 2022
 review-coming-soon

 "Is it possible that the relationship between humanity and evil is similar to the relationship between the ocean and an iceberg floating on its surface?"
 review-coming-soon
 79 likes
 Like
 Comment
 Apatt
 507 reviews 753 followers
 February 10, 2017
 One of my favorite ways of choosing a book by an unfamiliar author to read is by the buzz from sf blogs and discussion forums. Not any old buzz mind you, I don’t want to end up reading “50 Shades” or some equally unreadable blockbusters, I only take notice of the excitement among SF/F reading communities.

 The Three-Body Problem was my SF Book Club ’s book of the month (three months ago), it was recommended to me a friend here on GR and I have noticed numerous blogs, articles and online discussions about it so if I am to have any hope of keeping up with the Sci-fi Joneses I’d better give it a shot*. About the official synopsis, I am surprised how much spoiler is in it. I am glad I did not read the synopsis until I was half way through the book, but even then I wish I had finished the book before reading the thing. Having said that, when I tried to write my own synopsis I find myself struggling as the book’s storyline is quite complex with several plot twists and turns.

 It starts in China in 1967 during the Cultural Revolution, astrophysicist Ye Wenjie witnesses her father’s public execution at the hands of some young Red Guards women. This is beginning of her disdain for the entire human race and a later betrayal by a friend which leads to her agreeing to join a top secret Government science project which has will have a great impact on the future of humanity. About forty years later Wang Miao a nanomaterial researcher stumbles upon a VR game that seems to have surprising real world consequences.

 OK, a little bit of a spoiler now. After all the surprising plot developments this book ultimately turns out to be about first contact / alien invasion! . It is not all about that though, there are many facets to this book: Hard SF / cyberpunk / conspiracy / Chinese Cultural Revolution, not to mention the human drama, the political allegory, the philosophy and the moral themes of loyalty and betrayal (of individuals and eventually the entire human race). I think even the kitchen sink is mentioned at one point!

 The Three-Body Problem is a huge bestseller in China, it is the first book of a trilogy (only this first volume translated and published internationally so far) and a film adaptation is in the making (by Chinese film makers, not Hollywood – yet). The book reminds me a little bit of Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash though it is much grimmer in tone and also Asimov’s classic The Gods Themselves (ah, I need to reread this!). Considering the hype I am surprising how divisive this book is, it has all the things most hard SF fans normally want, the plausible science, the cool tech, huge ideas etc. I suspect the dislike among some of the readers is due to the book's initial focus on the Cultural Revolution in the 60s. If you read sci-fi just for the sci-fi and you don't want to know about this part of Chinese history this substantial part of the book may bore you. I know nothing about this history and I personally found it to be very interesting. There are also some lengthy scientific expositions which are a little hard to follow. I quite like how the main characters are developed but none of them are particularly sympathetic, not even Wang Miao who is described as “a good man”. I love the cyberspace world (or metaverse) of this book, it is bizarre and fascinating; how it impacts the real world is more reminiscent of Philip K. Dick than William Gibson . It also leads to the explanation of the book’s title which is a brilliant hard sci-fi concept.

 The New York Times described this book as “a classic science-fiction story in the style of the British master Arthur C. Clarke” . While the comparison makes some sense stylistically Liu Cixin is very different from Sir Arthur C. I don’t know how much of this is due to the excellent translation by Ken Liu but there is much more characterization and emotion here than any Clarke books I have read. This does not make him a better author than Clarke though, Clarke was a master storyteller who told some ingenious stories with much more economy and clarity of vision.

 So given the divisive opinions of this book I would recommend it with caution that you try a sample chapter first if possible, or at least read a few trusted reviews. Also, the book is not an easy breezy read, there are passages that will tax your brain and others that require your patience. Personally I would love to find out what happen in the subsequent volumes of the trilogy. Get on with it Mr. Ken Liu!
 __________________

 Note:
 Barack Obama has something interesting to say about The Three-Body Problem
 sci-fi
 76 likes
 26 comments
 Like
 Comment
 Displaying 1 - 30 of 23,815 reviews
 More reviews and ratings

 Join the discussion

 412
 quotes
 143
 discussions
 52
 questions

 Can't find what you're looking for?

 Get help and learn more about the design.
 Help center

 Company

 * About us
 * Careers
 * Terms
 * Privacy
 * Interest Based Ads
 * Ad Preferences
 * Help

 Work With Us

 * Authors
 * Advertise
 * Authors & ads blog
 * API

 Connect

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 © 2023 Goodreads, Inc.

461 reviews283 followers     August 6, 2015     Badly Written and Ill Conceived Science Fiction with a Few Interesting Ideas  I'm not sure I read the same book as everyone else. This got lots of four and five star reviews here on Goodreads.  Plus, it's been nominated for both Hugo and Nebula awards. As often happens, I'm not with the majority opinion here. I give it two stars. I'm not sure if the problem was the translation, or the original text, or both. (Unfortunately I only have the audio for this, so I can't quote the text here). But I found the writing wooden, the characters two-dimensional cartoonish stick figures, and the audio narration poor. Although most of the characters are academics or intellectuals, the most believable and interesting character turns out to be a coarse and apparently ignorant policeman, She Qiang (nicknamed "Da Shi"). Most of the characters are cold and unsympathetic. A few of them commit murders for which they seem entirely unremorseful. It's impossible to care about these people. And there are many unbelievable plot developments. For example, Mike Evans, an environmentalist, conveniently inherits his billionaire father's money at just the right time in the plot. I won't say much more about this as it's a spoiler. This might have been acceptable in the early years of science fiction, but now it just seems like a bad novel.  As for the science...I'm not a physicist, so I can't really discuss the physics. Evidently, the three body problem has been unsolved by physicists dating back to Newton. So this part has some scientific basis.  Also, the stuff about micro circuitry was interesting. But I have worked with computers for many years. The "human formation computer" (a computer powered by trained soldiers with colored flags) seems a bit silly to me, although nothing is impossible. I doubt if millions of humans could achieve the required precision. Interestingly, a minor character in the book who is an executive in a software company says the same thing. Also, the author seems preoccupied with social status. And science is held up as an object of worship. Science and technology are important, but I don't think they should be a religion (which in some quarters they seem to have become). Anyway, here's a brief summary.  As a young girl, Ye Wenjie, an astrophysicist, witnesses the killing of her father by Cultural Revolution fanatics. She becomes an astrophysicist herself and is recruited for a secret Chinese science/military project, Red Coast. It's years before she learns the true purpose of the project. Meanwhile, many intellectuals are playing a video game (which requires a haptic suit), called "The Three Body Problem". The main gamer character, Wang Miao, is a professor of physics specializing in nanotech. It turns out the game and the Red Coast project are connected. They both relate to extraterrestrial life. In most respects, Trisolar is behind earth technologically (they are playing out earlier eras in earth history), but in certain respects they are ahead of earth. Trisolar swings between "chaotic eras" and "stable eras". Both of these last for indeterminate time periods. Hundreds of civilizations there are destroyed by extremes of heat and cold produced by configurations of the three suns. Residents of Trisolar dehydrate themselves to survive chaotic eras. The game's purpose is to spread information about Trisolar among persons of high intellectual capacity and high social standing. Even though Trisolar really exists, the game plays out differently for different players. Anyway, I won't say much more about the story. I don't want to spoil it. If you liked The Martian, you might enjoy this. The focus is technology and science, with the prose, characters, and plot being entirely secondary to the ideas. Isaac Asimov's Foundation was another book where the characters and plot were subordinate to the ideas, although I think it works much better as a novel than this does. I didn't really care for Luke Daniels' audio narration either. His voice varied from leaden in some spots to over-excited in others. And when doing foreign accents, he either exaggerated them, or in some cases, got them wrong.  I'd say pass on this one, except that lots of others seem to love it.                    505 reviews18.1k followers     January 20, 2023   I'm going to call it right now. Even though I only just finished book one, I'm certain The Three-Body Problem will go down as my favorite sci-fi series of all time.This book blew my mind so thoroughly that it leaves only destruction in its wake. Where could Liu Cixin have possibly come up with all of these ideas and concepts? No wonder everyone says this is wildly imaginative. Even a single one of the ideas in here would have sufficed for a book of its own, but to put them all together into a single cohesive epic tale is absolutely jaw-dropping. The pacing is relentless and the surprises just keep coming. In fact, it has more twists and turns than most mysteries and thrillers I've read. Not only is the story utterly riveting, but it's also insightful and thought-provoking, touching upon science, politics, philosophy, and history. I found myself glued to the pages. I wanted to inhale the story as fast as I could, but I had to slow myself down periodically to reread and fully absorb all that the book was trying to tell me. This is my favorite type of science fiction, one that puts science front and center and unabashedly celebrates everything about it. There's no handwaving, no hocus pocus. Every point brought up is eventually explained via actual science in ways that made complete sense. And what ingenious explanations they are, sure to stun and amaze any reader. I found the initial pages, set during the Cultural Revolution, to be enlightening. This was the defining event of my parents' generation, yet they hardly talk about it. How do you put into words the frenzy that overtook a whole country, such that science and learning were denounced, and friends turned on friends, neighbors turned on neighbors? It's like a fever burned through the population, and left famine, trauma, and destruction in its wake. This emotionally fraught experience influences all who went through it, including the characters in this book. With translations, there's always the fear that some vital but intangible part of the story will be lost. And this is especially the case when the two languages in question do not share a common linguistic ancestor, so translating between them is not as simple as one-to-one. In the translator's notes at the end of the book, Ken Liu mentions that he was cognizant of this and tried hard to preserve not only the story, but also the cadence and feel of the Chinese language and culture in his translation. I think he did an excellent job. One thing to note is that the official book blurb is quite short for this story, but in my opinion, even that gives away too much. This is a book best experienced blind, so if you're going to read it, don't look up anything about it ahead of time.  What a tremendous way to start the trilogy. My expectations for the remaining two books are sky high, and I'm assured by everyone I know who has already read them that they will be met and exceeded. I have no doubt only goodness awaits me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ See also, my thoughts on: #2. The Dark Forest #3. Death's End   The Cretaceous Past ~~~~~~~~~~~~     favorites               Author  343 books397k followers     February 18, 2016    Adult sci-fi. By Chinese author Cixin Liu, The Three-Body Problem takes a classic scenario -- contact with alien life -- and cranks up the sinister factor to maximum. The story begins during the Cultural Revolution when young Ye Wenjie watches her scientist father beaten to death by fervent revolutionaries. She is sent off for hard labor at a re-education camp, but by a strange twist of fate gets a chance to work at a top secret government project seeking out extraterrestrial life. Fast forward to the present, when nanotech scientist Wang Miao is snatched up by cops and brought to a secret meeting of military officials who are fighting an unnamed enemy -- some force that is trying to destroy the roots of human science and technology by killing scientists or driving them to suicide. Wang goes undercover in this strange conspiracy when he started playing a virtual reality game called The Three-Body Problem, which only the most brilliant scientific minds can hope to beat.The premise is fascinating and well-grounded (as far as I can tell) in hard science. The book raises haunting questions: Do we really *want* to contact other civilizations? If you had the chance to pull the plug on the human race, would you do so? Is science truly objective and provable, or is it simply the best we can do given our limited understanding of four dimensions?  I found the novel a bit of a struggle until about halfway in. There are a lot of characters, and many of them seem like ciphers to advance the plot or mouthpieces to espouse ideas rather than living breathing people. Sometimes the prose seems like the summary of a novel rather than a novel. However, the ideas are compelling. This is about as close to "mind-blowing" as any book I've read. If you like big ideas and fantasy based on hard science, this is worth a read.    This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.                   525 reviews56.7k followers     August 4, 2020    PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT I just rated a book 5 stars.  Just read it. **Update now that I've read the whole trilogy!** This is now one of my all time favorite sci-fi series. The concepts are brilliant and I fear that I'll never find anything this mind-blowing. With that said... the books are quite sexist (the first half of the first two books are quite slow and painful) but I still recommend them if you can stomach it. They're incredibly science heavy but anyone interested in space and first contact with aliens needs to read this!     audiobooks favorites               742 reviews3,399 followers     May 7, 2022   Comparing Cixin to Arthur C Clarke, as the press did, might be appropriate. Reread 2022 with extended review Hostility towards science ruins everythingIgnorance and especially ideology fueled hate against science, and especially scientists who were torchbearers of the unwanted, enemy ideology are a certain way to ruin your world domination plans. No matter if Catholic church, the Nazis with their weird physics ( infodump, no required reading, and uchronia overkill: if they wouldn´t have been antisemitic, but instead anti communism, anti American capitalism, anti Muslim, etc., they would possibly have had the correct science to first build nuclear bombs. Because many people at the Manhatten project would have stayed in Germany) or, in this case, the Chinese. As soon as one bans certain science and doesn´t allow research, degeneration sets in, and keeping pace with more enlightened competitors becomes impossible. Cixin shows the historic examples and contrasts them with near future science, showing how far we came in such a short period of time thanks to the rise of science, relativizing the depressing beginning.  Epic, flowery language, which is unusual for the genre First, this seems more like an extremely well written, average nonfiction novel, because the science comes slowly (but boy, how it finally comes), and all the metaphors and character fused and focused exposition make one as interested in the characters as in the story itself, which is amazing for a genre that often prioritizes plot and worldbuilding over protagonists. Especially towards the second half and end, this acceleration leads to a culmination of both style and world that is a rare, exceptional enjoyment in the genre. Unique ideasI can´t really mention much without spoilers, but this work has some mindboggling, ingenious ideas I´ve hardly ever seen in other sci-fi works, not even close. It may be Cixins´technical background that made him finetune such pearls of the genre into his work and, if I got it right, even added some innuendos to Chinese history and military tactics, although I am far from sure und too unknowing to definitively confirm that conjecture.  Drawing a (big) history picture of ones´ countrySome other authors, I am too lazy and procrastinating to remember and name them here, did already use the real, alternative, future, alternative past, etc history of their countries to give great edutainment lectures of the sociocultural, epigenetic evolution and that it could have been completely different, often just decided by one improbable random event, a prodigy inventing or discovering something, or a lunatic hate preacher made god king, leader, or elected democratic president, whatever the difference is. ( Personal opinion: It´s not as if voting all few years and having a work environment that´s just slavery with extra steps, and sometimes even free social services in Europe at least still, speaks of true sociocultural evolution. See freaking end of history drivel. It´s just less inhumane and politically correct, but it stayed a de facto dictatorship.) That´s not just entertaining, but a great way to learn more about foreign cultures too, especially with the subtle criticism and satirizing element sci-fi loves to add to everything in general and which makes it the best genre of them all. Maybe a bit too hard for the beginning and average sci-fi readerOne prone to the genre and used or even in some theoretical concepts will enjoy it, for others it might be a bit too much, especially because so many protagonists are scientists too to make the infodumpy technobabble Elysium more credible and better and easier to plot. Skimming and scanning the theoretical, as in other less hard sci-fi works, isn´t a solution in this case too, because everything is so interconnected that one won´t get the whole picture anymore without it. Old perspective before reading the whole trilogy:Can´t wait to see how the other parts are, especially regarding its outstanding role in the genreWhat I´ve heard, Cixin did an amazing job in connecting the whole trilogy, especially regarding the scientific, main tropes fueling this new milestone of the genre. With other of my favorite genre authors, whose perfect deliveries I do already know and love, this wouldn´t be so exciting, but because of the special, fresh taste of this first piece of orgiastic sci-fi nerdgasm, I am so looking forward to reading the next parts as unprepared and curious as I could be. And, without being narcissistic (again), this means something. New view after having been enlightened and proselytized to just believe in the almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster:This trilogy owns close to everything just aspiring to be a big sci fi we´re so small in comparison moment. If you can handle this epic triple, you´ll begin a never ending love affair with the best genre to rule, vivisect, and cosmic body horror them all. Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:  https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...      cixin-liu               Author  5 books3,849 followers     September 19, 2015   From the opening, I was struck by how much history I didn't know about China's Cultural Revolution. It might be obvious to anyone growing up in those parts, of course, but I was almost lost in that story long before I saw that there was anything sci-fi about the novel. This is a good thing. It speaks of good writing.And then things changed. I became a frog in a pot. Small hints accumulate, surrounded by mathematical problems both fundamental and curious.  And then the MC's sanity is questioned. It's an open question that both the reader and the character must answer. And then I got an idea. I could easily make the argument that all scientists in this novel are actually Main Characters, and indeed, that theory only becomes crystal clear later in the novel. It was a delight. The novel is full of scientist suicides, damn odd hallucinations, all the way to a fantastic virtual reality game that draws intellectuals from around the world before devolving into a suggestive epic space opera featuring some of the most interesting aliens I've read about in a LONG time. The worldbuilding is top-knotch-squared. The clever uses of technology are the true highlights of the novel, and I'm upset. Why? Because the translations and publications for the next two novels are still in the future. Why am I still upset? Because I can hardly find the other works for this great author. A grandmaster of Chinese sci-fi? I can't deny the fact. And just because I can't compare to other science fiction masters of Chinese literature is a null point. I am already a fanboy. I'll be revelling in every work I can get my hands on. This is a fantastic example of how great science fiction can be. Truly inspiring. Update. This novel now a Hugo Nominee for 2015 because of the translation and introduction into the English-speaking market. It is a last minute replacement for Marco Kloos's Lines of Departure that was bravely self-removed due to the Sad Puppy 3 controversy. It wasn't his fault, and he got caught up in some seriously not-cool BS with this year's Hugo. He should be treated like any other Hugo Nominee. With respect and awe for the accomplishment it is, even though he withdrew. On the other hand, after finding out that Three Body Problem took his place, I have to admit that it couldn't have happened to a better novel. I loved this one. It was really fantastic and it had everything I like to see in seriously good fiction. This one might truly be my top pick for the year. It might be the one I cast my ballot on. But first, I need to read a few more Nominees. I take this very seriously. We bring our levels of joy and dedication to the ideas we thrive on. Awards are only as good as we make them. I refuse to let the Hugo become a quagmire. Let the best novel win!  Brad K Horner's Blog      fanboy-goes-squee history mindfuq               641 reviews520 followers     January 16, 2015   A scientist is drawn into a conspiracy involving a computer game and an old research station and extra-terrestrial life.Translated from the original Chinese. I have to admit I read this book mostly because the way it's being talked about made me really uncomfortable. There's the contingent who want to treat it as some sort of referendum on the Chinese science fiction landscape, or Chinese literature in general, as it was a wildly successful bestseller there. Yeah, okay, tell you what – go take a look at this week's NY Times bestseller list and pick out the book we should translate into other languages for readers to judge as a referendum on all of American writing of that genre. I'll wait. And then there's the way the translator responded to criticism by making a lot of sweeping statements about Chinese writing that I have very little doubt, even in the absence of any personal expertise, are dubious at best. This book is occupying some weird space in reviewerland, is what I'm saying. So I read it, and. Um. It's not very good. Flat characters, some shall we say eyebrow raising decisions regarding women, a lot of but humans don’t human that way, etc. Which kind of figures, since if notions of best seller can be translated, then this book is Chinese Tom Clancy. So . . . there you go. It did intrigue me on behalf of other Chinese science fiction, though. The cultural context of this story – the asides about how communism impacted intellectual thought, for example – interested me more than anything else. I generally have a pretty good nose for these things, though, and I smell movie deal, for what that's worth.     fiction science-fiction               655 reviews39.9k followers     September 29, 2017    3.5/5 StarsThe Three-Body Problem may be one of the most critically acclaimed Sci-Fi novels of our modern age, and in my opinion, it truly deserved the recognition for all the Sci-Fi ideas and narrative, but not for the characterization.  The Three-Body Problem, the first book in Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy by Cixin Liu, was actually something I never heard of despite its apparent popularity until I stumbled upon an interview with Barack Obama. He stated that this is one of his favorite novels, Mark Zuckerberg agreed and said the same thing, and that made me decided to give it a try. Plus, the cover for this trilogy is gorgeous. Most of you probably already know that TTBP won Hugo Award for best novel in the year 2015, it also has been nominated for many other Sci-Fi awards and there’s an upcoming movie in production already.  Pictures: Movie posters of "3Body: Once Upon a Time in Earth". Artworks by Jay Wong      The question is: does it deserved all the praise it received? Mostly yes, especially when it comes to how the book discussed a lot of relatable topics with our current societies; mostly science (d’oh), religions and human nature.   “Even if God were here, it wouldn’t do any good. The entire human race has reached the point where no one is listening to their prayers.”    
 
 As far as we know, humans have been reaching for extraterrestrial contact forever now; there’s been plenty of “sightings” or conspiracy theories but none of them are concrete proof. I’m a believer that there are another life forms outside of Earth, and there’s no doubt it will be a groundbreaking discovery when they truly make that first contact with our world. As exciting as that sounds, humans tend to forget that when they do appear, how EXACTLY will humanity react? The Three-Body Problem revolved mostly around this question and the concept of The Three-Body Problem equation—that hasn’t been solved—were used to explore motivation and behavior of humans in the face of the unknown.   “It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.”    
 
 The book shone light upon many historical events of China’s Cultural Revolution and several philosophies of the well-known scientists such as Einstein. The entire plot was told in two different timelines, Cultural Revolution and our modern age, both in China; the scope of the story, however, is massive. There’s a lot of limitation to what I can talk about here because the main strength of this book lies within its mystery; telling you more of the plot will definitely change your expectation, in fact, I probably already said more than enough. One thing you should definitely know though is that this is a hard Sci-Fi, and I will not claim to understand all the scientific terms in this book. I’m not a genius or science freak here, some scientific terms did go over my head. Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite good at envisioning and understanding Sci-Fi in my head, but only when it comes to something that has to do with pewpewpew (laser gun), ngungggggggg (lightsaber), boom boom wooshhh (space opera) or alternate reality stuff; the terms that go over my head mostly have to do with physics and scientific calculations. For someone who on a good day got 7/100 (don’t you dare laugh at me) on their physics final exam back in high school, stating that I understood all the scientific terms here is equivalent to saying an iguana invented iPhone; impossible.  Now, enough talking about how dumb and dumber I am with physics, my point is, despite some terms I failed to understand, I was never bored throughout my time reading this book. I don’t think it’s fair for me to judge the prose, especially knowing that this is a translated work but in my opinion, Ken Liu did an excellent job on the translation. Cixin/Ken Liu explained the required terms in understanding the plot as easy as possible, making sure that the readers fully understand the plot at least. The reason I say this book is slightly overrated is not due to the plot or scientific terms; how can I possibly judge something as overrated from something that I don’t fully understand? That’s nonsense. However, it's because of the weak characterizations. This book is written in third person limited omniscient narrative and this direction is apt for the story that Cixin Liu tried to tell; with a lot of changes in locations and timelines combined with the withholding of information, they provided a sense of mystery that compelled the reader to continue. However, the downside of this is that the characters felt flat and devoid of feelings because we never truly get inside the person’s head. Characterizations are the most important factors in the books I read, and this book suffers from great characters to love. In fact, I'm fully disconnected from the characters that I can’t even bring myself to care whether they die or not.  Overall, The Three-Body Problem is a great book filled with imaginative ideas and intriguing plot but fell short due to its weak characterizations. If you’re a fan of heavy scientific terms, this is truly a book you must try to read. I can’t wait to see what the sequel has in store because the ending of this book made me realize that this is just a beginning to an epic Sci-Fi tale.  You can find  this  and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy &amp; Sci-Fi reviews at  BookNest                      933 reviews240 followers     July 10, 2015   I'm really waffling between whether to rate "did not like it" vs. "it was okay" -- I very, very rarely give out one stars, and it feels uncharitable because it was a book I wanted to like more than I did, and I want more diverse SF, but... no. I've consciously created a "not my cup of tea" shelf for this very book, however, because a lot of people seem to have liked it. Is this what hard SF is like? In which case, it reminds me of similar "I am completely unable to get interested in this" problems I had with Kim Stanley Robinson last year.I actually started this book months ago, but wasn't feeling it after the first chapter and stopped. I picked it up again now, stubbornly ploughing through because of the Hugos, and I kept waiting for it to suddenly turn around and wow me, but... it never did. At the 80% mark, I was still waiting. Learning more about the Chinese Cultural Revolution was fascinating, and I liked seeing its colossal effects on Ye, plus the feeling of 'science will save us' that permeates the society. Liu Cixin's imagination of an alien society was really good and unique (dehydrate! dehydrate!). Da Shi is, hands-down, the best character of this entire book. I much rather wanted to read his tales of fighting crime, with his seedy, no-bullshit, 'I'm not a good cop, but I'm a great cop' approach. He livened up every scene he was in! Instead, this was so much like reading a physics textbook. That's about where my praise ends, because I prefer emotional character-driven plots with some action, whereas this is a science-driven impersonal plod. Who the hell is Wang, our protagonist? After one single scene with his wife and son (!), they literally disappear for the rest of the book, and I couldn't tell you what his personality is like. He's just the viewfinder through which we see information unfold -- and unfold it does, with just reams and reams of exposition and info-dumps. The prose is dull. I didn't so much mind it being stilted, and the dialogue carrying the remnants of its original language (a conscious effort on the translator Ken Liu's part), but it's just such a trudging plod. I highlighted a few more poetic passages that I really liked, but for the most part it leans more to clinical and dry. I really liked the virtual reality chapters, but after all that buildup, I feel like it just fizzles out and absolutely, literally, nothing has been accomplished by the end of the book. With where the plot goes, the entire book honestly just feels like a prologue for the sequel. I feel like the Goodreads blurb was pretty awfully off-base, touting that it has "the scope of Dune and the commercial action of Independence Day". I... what??? There is literally ONE action scene, it occurs about 90% through the book, and the characters aren't actively involved, just watching on from afar. And while the alien world/society is interestingly-written, it is nowhere near the scope of Dune. Without characters with real depth to get attached to, I just never got hooked into this book. Ye has so much potential, but I feel like she wasn't fleshed out enough either -- people's more interesting psychological choices are left unplumbed/unexplored, meaning that I'm left with behaviour that I don't really buy, that doesn't seem natural for a human to do. Specifically:  The chronology and pacing is all over the place, too, hopping back and forth in time and as characters tell each other rambling stories. It's slow and sedate and takes forever to get anywhere -- the blurb trumps up , but even that doesn't happen in the book at all, and indeed, , so what in the world is the point of this story? I mean, I get the point. I get that it's about humans pitted against humans, and the divisive cracks that can tear us apart even without the physical presence of an Other. But man, I just couldn't bring myself to care. I'm so sorry, Cixin. I wanted to love it.     asia-or-aapi hugo-awards-2015 in-translation               780 reviews2,955 followers     September 6, 2017   The Three-Body Problem was the best SF novel that I’ve read so far. Admittedly, I did not read a lot of them. However, I can recognize when I encounter a special gem and this one definitely is unique in its world building. Moreover, it is very well written (and translated) which, unfortunately, it is not always the case with SF novels, especially with the classics. The first chapters take place in the Chinese Cultural revolution and I thought to be a harrowing experience which perfectly introduced the reader in the oppressive atmosphere of the time. I do not want to say too much of the plot because I believe it is better for each of you to explore it. I went in almost blindly and I appreciated the opportunity to discover by myself how the plot develops. What I can tell is that you will read an amazing blend of Chinese history, mythology, hard SCi-Fi and well crayoned characters. If I were to reveal anything I guess this quote from the first part of the novel is pretty suggestive.  “It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.” The novel can be hard on science sometimes but the aspect did not lower my enjoyment, although I was overwhelmed by some explanations as my background is mostly economics. Despite some long science passages, the narration flows beautifully and I was not bored for one second.  I am looking forward to reading the next volume in the series and I hope it will not suffer from the 2nd books syndrome.  **********Excellent! One of the best SF books I've read. Review to come.     china fantasy-sf favorites               714 reviews11.4k followers     December 18, 2022   This is when using a few "Expectations vs. Reality" memes could have come in handy, actually. Because I remember that this book made quite a splash in the SFF world (netted a Hugo, actually) and the reviews from my very respected GR friends are overwhelmingly glowing. So maybe I just read it wrong, whatever that means. But…  
 The story set-up was actually interesting, and there were some ideas that were worth exploring: the startling naivete of believers in a bright shiny idea, and the dangers of one person making decisions that affect the whole humanity, as well as implications of science breakdown. But it is the damn execution that ruined it for me.   It's the passive detachment that persists through the entire narrative. Not only do things mostly- *just happen* to our main POV person (like those old 19th century novels where the protagonist serves just as our eyes into the story with not much agency and mostly observational powers) but there's a strange lack of emphasis on events and revelations that by all means should elicit any sort of strong response. It seems that the same amount of emotion is spent on a video game as there is on murders and possibility of alien invasion.  And the wooden, stilted, dry and choppy writing does not help.  
 Things are basically just chugging along from A to B to C with no drive behind it. At one point I said to my buddy reader that I have more inner turmoil and emotion picking a pair of socks to wear for the day than a character in this book realizing that truly creepy things are happening. And characters’ conclusions and motivations make ZERO logical sense to me besides that the plot needs them to think a certain way.  It's a detached monotony with an odd mechanistic cadence to it, and at times I was wondering why I am supposed to care when even the characters don't.  
 And then, close to the end, we get a sudden boatload of exposition with extra exposition on top, and my eyes rolled so hard I think I strained a muscle. It was almost as bad as a moustache-twirling villain explaining the plot at the end trope. And in the end I realized I just didn’t care, and although this book is nothing but a prologue into a larger story, it seems, I really don’t care enough even to read the entire trilogy synopsis on Wikipedia.  2 stars, being generous. At least the science bits were almost cool, although exceedingly dry.————  Buddy read with Alexander Peterhans. Maybe we will have better luck next time.  —————— Also posted on my blog.     2022-reads hugo-nebula-nominees-and-winners               Author  3 books5,419 followers     February 15, 2020   Fascinating piece of scifi by Chinese writer Cixin Liu. A surprising mix of nanoscience, string theory, and astrophysics and religion with the Cultural Revolution as a background, the story takes its protagonist Xiao Wang (the nanoscientist) into an adventure that will impact all of humanity. I liked Ye, the astrophysicist, and found Du Shi, the policeman, funny and well-drawn. As for the action and plot, it is easy to read although I got a little lost in the pure science aspects once or twice (despite being an engineer and having dabbled in quantum mechanics years ago). I am excited about reading the next two books (which I suspect will be a little like the Foundation Trilogy by Asimov) and hope you'll also enjoy this one. Note that it won the Hugo award in 2015, kind of a geek's Pulitzer if you will.Having finished the entire series, I have to say that it does actually get better and better as it evolves. The narrative structure of this first book is a quite different than the other two but all are extraordinary.I am reading the Cixin Liu-approved fan extension, The Redemption of Time by Baoshu now, and it is really good but you have to have finished the trilogy to follow it. Fino's Cixin Liu and other Chinese SciFi and Fantasy Reviews The Three Body Problem  The Dark Forest  Death's End  The Wandering Earth  Supernova Era"  Ball Lightning  The Redemption of Time (Fan Fiction approved by Cixin Liu)  Invisible Planets (Short Story Anthology)  The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories  The Grace of Kings  The Wall of Storms      chinese-21st-c favorites fiction               3,504 reviews738 followers     May 21, 2022    Remembrance of Earth's Past #1: This book won the 2015 Hugo Award for Fiction despite being originally published in Chinese/Mandarin(?) in 2006! How good does a book have to be to sweep all before it at the Hugo's nearly a decade after being first published? Well. It would have to be a book as good as this one! Nanotech engineer Wang Miao is more or less compelled to infiltrate what appears to be a secret cabal of scientists, compelled by a secret military(!) alliance between NATO, the USA and China! While undercover Wang gets absorbed with the online-immersive game 'The Three Body Problem' a game that seeks to build civilisation in a chaotic world with three suns! It begins to dawn on Wang and his betters, that this game might be much much more than it seems! A book that starts with one of the key character's Cultural Revolution trauma leading to them being exiled to a scientific research base, a base set up to reach out to possible intelligent life in the universe, was in itself astounding, interesting and uber page turning, until I realised that that was the backstory and just the opening salvo of what I feel beyond doubt will be the greatest speculative fiction / science fiction series I've read since Dan Simmons' The Hyperion Omnibus. This book takes a frank and honest look at the traumatic impact of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on the science community; what could happen to 'real police' forced to serve under authoritarian regimes; how science would most likely reach out to the stars; how the modern world breeds apathy; and most of all beautifully using real and theoretical physics to illustrate questioning the rationale that far advanced extraterrestrial intelligent life would necessarily be any more enlightened than humankind! It was after reading Yun's review, and knowing Yun is as wary as I, to award Five Stars and super-praise a read, that I knew that this book had to be something special, and it so was! What I can only really say is just read it. Page for page the most innovative, awe inspiring, far reaching, outrageous take on hard science/speculative fiction I've ever read, a book that dares to bring science itself to the front of storytelling and making it the biggest 'character' in the story, and somehow doing it so well! One. God. Damn. Fine. Read. 10 out of 12, Five Star Read.  2022 read     sci-fi-beam-me-up spec-fi-i-guess               305 reviews642 followers     June 30, 2022   Originally published in it's native Chinese in 2008, The Three-Body Problem has now been translated for English speakers to read and enjoy. It is the first volume in a hugely successful SF trilogy that has proved to be a popular seller in China.No matter what our opinions are on the government of China, we all know that they have a history of controlling the media. It was not so long ago that I was reading articles on how even SF stories may not be published if they contain certain themes or SF tropes that the government does not approve of such as time travel. Yet here we have a novel that Tor are willing to bring to an international English audience. So is it a matter of government restrictions being exaggerated or is it proof that art defies restrictions? While I can think about these questions I do hit a brick wall after a short while. I'm no geography or political buff. I have no ideas on these matters. But I do know quite a bit about SF and I know a little more about science and I feel that these are the most import factors when reading The Three-Body Problem. Sure it would have been great to know what the hell was going on in those early chapters during the 'cultural revolution', but I guess I was lucky to follow the story when it delved a bit into quantum mechanics and orbital mechanics. And while a reader without this knowledge would not have a problem following the story at all and could easily skim those sections, they definitely were rewarding and offered a greater depth to the story. And I'm sure that someone with a knowledge of modern Chinese history would have felt the same. Three-Body is essentially the story of two scientists, Ye Wenjie, an engineer working in a top-secret military base during the 1970's, and Wang Miao, a nanotechnologist in current day China. While events in current day China unfold for Wang, the story of Ye is told in alternate sections. The nature of the top-secret base is uncovered during the intricate story and don't worry, it's not a bad X-Files ripoff at all. But I did find Wang's story much more interesting and frightening. It explores the idea of the failure of science. What happens if over time scientific endeavours consistently defy any conjectures or postulates, refuse to comply with any previously known laws and just keep on giving random and seemingly supernatural outcomes? It may sound a bit trivial here, but the more you think about it, the more frightening it is. And the author explores this and truly did convey the horror to me as the reader. The events of this book had me tense and on-edge at several points. There really are some fascinating ideas pursued in this book and it is a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking read in the style of SF greats such as Kim Stanley Robinson and Asomiv. The style of interchanging stories with historical aspects, as well as some of the style did remind me of Murakami, but I have no idea if this is being literature racist as this is the only other Asian book I have read other than those by Murakami. It also had echoes of Neal Stephenson in that it was an intricate and baroque plot full of subterfuges and technical writing. But maybe I'm just projecting two of my favourite authors onto another book that I enjoyed. So here is one reader that is converted to the forthcoming volumes and possibly converted to reading more international SF. Both Stanislaw Lem and the Strugatsky brothers failed to take my interest, but Liu Cixin has managed to produce something that I really did enjoy and also made me think big thoughts. September 2016 Reread: Nothing has changed, but I put my star rating up. It is a special read that I enjoyed just as much the second time around. Yes, there were very little surprises, but I appreciated the pacing and understood more about the characters and the history.  I saved my reading of Book 2 and 3 until they were all out. I'm too old and there are too many other books to read to have to reread a series each time a new volume comes out. See you all for for Book 2 review.     first-contact physics science-fiction               401 reviews16.6k followers     December 23, 2017   While this is obviously a masterpiece of hard sci-fi, that is also the reason I had a hard time connecting to it. While the science behind it all is complex and interesting, I found myself glazing over many a time and detaching from the story. The characters didn't feel real to me. Aside from that, this is a book I'd love to discuss with others because I wonder how much of this book was harder for me due to cultural and historical differences I wasn't even aware of while reading. I think I have discovered that hard sci-fi is not for me, as I need more of a connection to the story and characters, but I'd recommend this for any science buff.                    607 reviews375 followers     September 29, 2020   I just spent a week with this hard science fiction, Hugo-award winning novel from Chinese author Cixin Liu and I have to admit: I'm impressed.  The Three-Body Problem had me putting off tasks to pick it up, stuck with me throughout my day, and was always a pleasure to read when I sat down with it. With that said, this isn’t a novel I’d easily recommend to everyone. This isn’t a review that offers a pan-recommendation along with its 5-star rating. Indeed, this review seeks to help an intrigued reader decide if this book would be a good fit for them and their reading taste.   Hard Sci-Fi   The premise of The Three-Body Problem is that an alien civilization receives a message from a Chinese scientist in the 1970s and plans to come to Earth, naturally, for a good old-fashioned invasion.  I know, I know. You’ve read this story before, right?  I assure you that this is a wholly original take wherein the aliens don’t even make a proper appearance for the entire novel. Instead, The Three-Body Problem is more concerned with its titular problem, scientific history, cutting edge scientific theory, and a fair smattering of ludicrous science near the novel’s end. This novel revels in its appreciation of science and a bit of brushing up on introductory physics would not go amiss.  However, if you don’t recall the mathematical expression that governs the motion of two celestial bodies in a vacuum, you need not worry. Cixin Liu (and his translator, Ken Liu) does a fantastic job in explaining basic and high-level science concepts in clear language. Although there were times in which I had to set the book down to interpret, these moments were largely towards the end of the book where the science gets really out there.  I was also less than impressed with the video game within the book that serves as an introduction to the alien civilization. Roughly, each time the game is booted up the player is greeted by an ever-advancing Earth-based representation of scientific progress. So, at first you meet an ancient Chinese king, but eventually you hang out with Einstein. This grew on me after the first few chapters set in the game. Liu uses these sections to convey the difficulty of the scientific problem at hand, show reverence for science history, and introduce the civilization in an innocuous way.   Space &amp; Time  One of the things that really sets this reading experience apart from traditional science fiction is that it is really, really Chinese. The first 100 pages deal mostly with the Chinese Cultural Revolution. In fact, after 100 pages I realized that I was enjoying that material so much that I wouldn’t have minded if aliens never stopped in. Of course, as the novel goes on it does an excellent job of weaving together the threads from the Cultural Revolution and the impending invasion.  This Chinese-based sci-fi is a breath of fresh air, and it’s a shame that China’s most popular sci-fi author has never made the jump to English before. Not only is it set in a different part of the world from most sci-fi you’ll encounter, but it also feels remarkably different in writing style and plot development. Where other novels skim over the nitty-gritty of the science behind spectacle, The Three-Body Problem spends pages making sure the reader knows what to expect. This never feels obnoxious; on the contrary, it is refreshing to see an author convey a concept in such understandable language.  Though the novel alternates between the time of discovery during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the present day story, it never feels random. There are stretches where I spent 50 pages in the present, took a brief 10 page detour into the past, only to return for a lengthy bit set in the present. The story unfolds rather than following a strictly predictable path. Instead of predictability, it seems guided by logic. You don’t know about Y, but once you know X, Y follows much more easily.  This all makes for a read that is compelling because it makes the reader feel as if they are hot on the pursuit of the central mystery.   The Three Dimensional Character Problem  You’ve probably noticed that I haven’t mentioned the cast of characters, and there’s good reason. I’m not the first reader to note this, but the lead characters in The Three-Body Problem are pretty flat. Indeed, Wang Miao may be a brilliant nanotechnology researcher, but I’d be hard pressed to tell you much about his personality. Instead of driving the plot, Wang reacts to it. I never felt that the decisions he makes in the novel were guided by his belief system. He’s kind of like the cart on an on-rail amusement park ride. The ride sure is thrilling, but you’re unlikely to remember much about the cart. Now, normally I’d be roasting this book alive for having such weak characterization. I mean, why read a book if you don’t care about the characters? The Three-Body Problem genuinely makes the case for having a fairly empty lead. I kept thinking during my read that I could imagine being in Wang’s shoes, pulling back the curtain on yet another mystery. It is genuinely impressive that Liu is able to pull off, at least for me, the sensation of feeling like you’re in on the mystery that would be lost with a stronger character.   Conclusion?  This novel doesn’t end with resolution, though you could conceivably just read this novel and come away with a complete story. Of course, there are two more novels in the series that will delve further into the impressive, exciting, and pessimistic world that Liu has created. I’m hoping for some better-developed characters, but will happily continue on if the subsequent books are as mentally stimulating as this.  I’d suggest tackling this one if you are interested in a headier science-fiction story that eschews typical western plot, makes your brain twist and turn into weird shapes, and makes the case for more translated SFF.  **The second book is better than the first! You can find my review of  The Dark Forest here!      favourites not-can-us-or-uk sci-fi               1,847 reviews16.3k followers     March 27, 2017   I liked this and there is no doubt that this is a science heavy, brilliantly produced and contemplated, highly original SF novel from a physics understanding Chinese author that was good enough to win a slew of awards including the Hugo.But I like to watch Ridiculousness. I like Travis McGee. I like Mickey F****** Spillane. Beer and pizza and a bug zapper is quality entertainment. “Conan – what is best in life?” Three Body Problem did not have near enough axe welding barbarians or laser beams for my taste. Liu Cixin’s wildly popular, speculative fiction gem was first published in China in 2008 as 三体 (I guess – that’s what it says on Goodreads) and I enjoyed the English translation written by Ken Liu (himself a very talented writer) published in 2014. Liu begins in the late 60s during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and then moves forward in time to a near future where a strange virtual reality game replicates an even stranger reality. And the aliens. Maybe I would have liked this more if I were a physicist. A very smart commentator opined that perhaps Westerners don’t get the subtle nuances of a writer whose cultural background is not based upon the individual but rather is more attuned to a gestalt perspective. “Brilliant and entertaining “ – Dr. Sheldon Cooper.                     Author  270 books3,050 followers     November 17, 2014   The Three-Body Problem is part one of an award-winning trilogy by Liu Cixin — and is arguably the best Chinese science fiction novel ever translated into English. Liu uses the “three-body problem” of classical mechanics to ask some terrifying questions about human nature and what lies at the core of civilization.The series explores the world of the Trisolarans, a race that is forced to adapt to life in a triple star system, on a planet whose gravity, heat, and orbit are in constant flux. Facing extinction, the Trisolarans plan to evacuate and conquer the nearest habitable planet, and finally chooses a candidate/victim when it intercepts a message—from Earth. The Three-Body Problem has been translated into English by award-winning writer, Ken Liu (author of books such as The Grace of Kings). Take a look at Stephan Martiniere's way-cool cover for the coming Tor Books edition!) Special note… The Three Body Problem deals very closely with the issue of SETI and the Fermi Paradox and whether we should shout "yoo-hoo!" into the cosmos -- a quandary about which I've also written, from time to time. ￼ But the biggest news is this proof of the maturation of Chinese science fiction into the top ranks of thorough and fascinating thought experimentation. I’ve long maintained that the health of an enlightened and progressive society is measured by how vibrant is its science fiction, since that is where true self-critique and appraisal and hope lie. If so, the good news stretches beyond China!                   175 reviews45 followers     June 28, 2015    2.5 stars There has been an enormous amount of buzz and accolades surrounding Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem. It has been nominated for numerous awards, including a 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel. Does it deserve all the hype? In some respects I can see why it has garnered so much praise. The science is fun, there are some interesting philosophical concepts, and the world-building is also interesting. However, that for me is where the praise ends. Where the book fails is in the basic fundamentals of what makes a good story: writing, characterization, pacing, and plot. Harsh, I know.   The characters are flat, the writing is lifeless and choppy, the pacing is slow as molasses in some places, and some of the dialogue is downright terrible. There are instances where the author awkwardly uses dialogue to info dump:  "Professor Wang, we want to know if you've had any recent contacts with members of the Frontiers of Science," the young cop said. "The Frontiers of Science is full of famous scholars,and very influential. Why can't I have contact with a legal international academic group?"   
 There are also weird instances where characters behave like stage actors, having side conversations with one another in order to provide the audience with info while other characters in the scene pretend not to listen. Strange and awkward.  Despite these problems, the story does start out interesting enough with the character of Ye Wenjie during the Chinese Revolution. However, it later jumps to the modern day, through the point of view character of Wang Miao, where its problems can no longer be ignored and the story fizzles.   Perhaps it is unfair of me to heap such harsh criticism at the writing since this is a translation from the original Chinese. Maybe these issues do not appear in the original? I cannot be sure, and if someone has read the original I'd love to hear your thoughts. But, as it stands I can only go with the version I've read. Sorry, book. You had some interesting elements, but not enough to overlook the problems.   Final Rating: 2.5 Stars      science-fiction               Author  4 books285 followers     June 15, 2022   My complete review is published at Grimdark Magazine.Against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, Ye Wenjie’s father is a well-accomplished physics professor at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing. His embrace of Western science—including the work of Einstein and Bohr—leads him to be accused of embracing reactionary ideologies. He is beaten to death by students from the Red Guard in front of his terrified daughter. Ye Wenjie herself later becomes persecuted and imprisoned for embracing Western thought. She is saved by two military scientists working at the Red Coast, a top-secret space program by the Chinese government, who recognize Ye Wenjie’s outstanding abilities as a physicist. The core idea of The Three-Body Problem draws directly from Stanisław Lem’s 1961 sci-fi classic, Solaris, which considers whether a planet that orbits two suns can support the evolution of life. In Solaris, the two suns have vastly different intensities, causing the climate of the orbiting planet, Solaris, to vary drastically depending upon which of the two suns is currently closer. The resulting climatic fluctuations cast doubt upon whether Solaris has a climate consistent enough to support biological evolution, which requires relative climatic stability over millions of years. In The Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu ups the ante by introducing a third sun to the problem. The orbital path of a planet around three suns poses a complex mathematical problem that has eluded solution for hundreds of years. In The Three-Body Problem, the orbiting planet, Trisolaris, experiences periods of relative stability punctuated by periods of sudden climatic chaos. Throughout its planetary history, Trisolaris has undergone hundreds of stable periods, where society has achieved varying levels of scientific and technological development, only to be wiped out by sudden climate changes. The Trisolarans have evolved the ability to dehydrate themselves to survive through these periods of chaos, but they have finally determined that the only way their society can survive in the long-term is to colonize another inhabitable planet with a more stable climate. Compared to Trisolaris, the pale blue dot we know as Earth looks rather enticing. Beyond its excellent treatment of scientific principles, The Three-Body Problem raises several important philosophical questions, the deepest of these being: Is humanity worth saving? As Ye Wenjie becomes one of the leading scientists searching for extraterrestrial life, her experiences during the Cultural Revolution have molded her views on the value of humanity. Read my full review at Grimdark Magazine.                   1,878 reviews22.6k followers     September 27, 2018   This Hugo Award winning SF novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin is delightfully intelligent and complex, and I really appreciated the authentic Chinese characters in the story and the insights into China's history and culture. The novel is also a little slow and dry in parts, with a certain formality that (I would guess) echoes the original Chinese writing style. I also had some trouble keeping all of the characters straight in my head; most of the characters have Chinese names, and the names tended to blend together in my brain, partly due to my lack of familiarity with that language and partly because characterization isn’t really one of the strengths of this book.It begins in the 1960s, during the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath. A respected professor is beaten to death by three young women who are Red Guards, and his astrophysicist daughter, Ye Wenjie, is eventually shipped off to a remote mountaintop where a government-sponsored group is secretly exploring the possibility of electronic communication with aliens. Eventually it actually works - but there's a clear possibility of danger to all of humanity. Ye Wenjie makes a fateful decision. We then jump forward some 40+ years, where the story picks up again with the fallout from that decision, though we're favored with a few more flashbacks to the sixties. This novel is not going to be every reader's cuppa tea, but I think readers who like intricately plotted hard (VERY hard) SF novels should definitely give this series a try. I flailed and almost gave up when I hit some chapters that involve lengthy, detailed descriptions of a video game, a very odd role-playing game on an alien world (yet with human characters). But I powered through, and once all the pieces started fitting together, it got fascinating. I'm up for book #2! Full review to come.     science-fiction               1,250 reviews285 followers     December 29, 2022   Българските читатели имат отчаяна нужда от модерни, умело написани и смели фантастични книги. Такива, със съвсем малки изключения достигат до книжния ни пазар толкова рядко, че всяка прилетяла бяла лястовица се превръща в мини сензация.Като верен почитател на жанра, формирал част от личните ми книжни предпочитания в края на осемдесетте и през деветдесетте години на миналия век, давам на "Трите тела" от Лиу Цъсин много висока оценка - и историята, и героите са чудесно развити и задържаха интереса ми до край. Признавам, не разбрах всичко от физиката в книгата, но схванах общите идеи на автора и това само засили удоволствието ми. Лиу Цъсин е вплел в интригата на този роман много интересни проблеми, върху които си струва човек да си поблъска главата. Очаквам развитието на клопките заложени пред човешката цивилизация от събитията през "Трите тела" в следващите части да е отново майсторски изпипано! Интересно би било и да се научи, как се е промъкнала тази книга покрай жестоката комунистическа цензура властваща в червен Китай и в този момент. Цитати: "В Китай всяка по-възвишена мисъл е обречена да се сгромоляса на земята. Гравитационното поле на реалността е твърде силно." (важи не само за там) "Защо човечеството няма вродени знания за законите на Вселената?" P.S. Преводът на г-н Стефан Русинов от китайски е чудесен и допринася много да се насладим напълно на това отлично четиво! Тук можете да чуете интересните размисли на преводача за книгата и неговата работа по нея:  https://anchor.fm/stefan-rusinov/epis...      2020 favorites linz               1,294 reviews427 followers     April 7, 2016   Alright. I read this wrong. It's all on me.I've got my Cone of Shame and am headed to the Shame Corner right now.It was nice being out for awhile but we all knew I couldn't stay out for long.I'm not sure if something was lost in translation, if I'm just really not good at science, or if I am waaaaay too American, but whatever the case, I did not enjoy this. Well, I did, but only through maybe the first half. Then it got tedious, then it got boring, then it got downright ridiculous, and then I stabbed my ears out so I wouldn't have to listen anymore. The story follows two timelines and characters that you know are going to intersect. It starts with (phonetically-spelled, based on the reader's terrible pronunciation): Astrophysicist Yeah Wen-Sia who sees her father killed by three fanatic teenage girls when he won't deny science during the Cultural Revolution. Then, her favorite and best teacher commits suicide, her mother, who is terribly unstable, abandons her, and her sister has joined the Revolution and is a fanatic in her own right. Ye is angry and carries this anger with her to the woods where she is employed in deforestation at the base of Red Coast Station which is, essentially, a military base with a huge satellite that sits up on top of a hill and is fairly inaccessible and anyone who even strolls near will be shot. The second storyline is that of (phonetically-spelled, based on the reader's terrible pronunciation) Wong Meow, owner of zero personality. He's a nanotech/biology somesuch researcher scientist in the current day who is alarmed when the nation's top physicists and other brainy sorts start committing suicide. I don't really remember, if I ever actually knew, how he falls into all of this, but he gets involved, via a tough-as-nails cop named Dah Shee, with a sort of investigation into the larger scope of the problem that is causing these scientists to kill themselves.Through a series of not-noticeable events, Wang finds out about an online game called Three Body and he decides to play. It's a weird game that follows civilizations as they grow and then collapse on a world where there are three suns and these suns pose a real-life (like, real to our lives) mathematical quandary called the Three Body Problem in which three things whiz around a stationary object (I think. I may be making the stationary object up) but each has a different kind of orbit and they're sort of random and you must find the pattern of their zoomings to predict when they'll be close to each other or the object and when they'll be farthest apart, etc. How can you track the movement of these three bodies to predict what they'll do next, is the question. At any rate, if you solve the Three Body Problem in the game, you win. Only really smart people can play this game, obviously. People whose brains think in spatial relationships and numbers at all hours of the day, I assume. There are more characters but these are the main two and their lives intersect and things happen. Before I spew forth my list of what I misunderstood, I'm going to share what I thought I was going to read.  The Direction In Which I Thought This Book Would Go:   What Actually Happened and Why I Lost Interest:   And here are the things I just did not understand at all:  Ok, so, it's obvious this went WAY over my head. Way way way over. I'm probably too inculturated in Western SciFi to be able to appreciate what I listened to. And, by the way, what I listened to was crap because, yet again, the narrator is some white dude who doesn't speak Chinese. Also, he made the Chinese tough-as-nails cop's voice alternate between a NYC beat cop accent and a Texan accent. It was bizarre. I did not enjoy that at all. I've read several of the other five-star reviews here and I've yet to find any enlightenment on my misunderstandings. I'm just seeing a lot of people going nuts over how amazing this is and I can't understand, even from their glowing reviews, what they read that I didn't. This is the first in a trilogy. I feel like I should listen to them all just to find out if any of my questions are answered but I'm not really into self-torture so probably, I'll pass.     asia audiobook cults               9,568 reviews55.6k followers     February 24, 2022    三体 = Trisomy = The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past #1), Liu Cixin The Three-Body Problem is the first novel of the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy. Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز هجدهم ماه فوریه سال2022میلادی عنوان: سه جرم کیهانی کتاب نخست از سه گانه یادآوری گذشته زمین؛ نویسنده سیکسین لیو (سیشین لیو)؛ مترجم شهناز صاعلی؛ ترجمه از متن انگلیسی؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس؛ سال1398؛ در416ص؛ شابک9786001825798؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان چین - سده21م دومین و سومین رمان از این سه گانه: «جنگل تاریک» و «پایان مرگ» هستند در پس زمینه انقلاب فرهنگی «چین»، یک پروژه نظامی پنهانی سیگنالهایی را برای برقراری تماس با بیگانگان به فضا میفرستد؛ یک تمدن بیگانه ی در آستانه ی نابودی سیگنال را میگیرد و میخواهد به زمین یورش کند؛ در هم��ن حال، بر روی زمین، اردوگاه‌های گوناگونی به شکل‌گیری آغاز و برنامه‌ریزی می‌کنند نقل از متن: (اتحاد سرخ به مدت دو روز مرکز فرماندهی بریگاد سرخ بیست و هشت آوریل را مورد حمله قرار داد؛ پرچم‌های سرخ آن‌ها بی‌امان در اطراف ساختمان بریگاد سرخ در اهتزاز بود، همچون آتشی که ولع بلعیدن جنگل را دارد؛ فرمانده اتحاد سرخ نگران بود البته نه به دلیل مقاومت بریگاد سرخ در برابر آن‌ها؛ چون در حدود دویست نفر افراد بریگارد سرخ بیست و هشت آوریل در برابر سربازان‌ کهنه‌کار‌‌ اتحاد سرخ، سربازانی تازه‌کار و مبتدی بیش نبودند، گارد سرخ اتحاد سرخ در آغاز انقلاب پرولتاری بزرگ در ابتدای سال1966میلادی تشکیل شد، و با داشتن تجربه‌ ی پر جار و جنجال تورهای انقلابی در سراسر کشور و صف‌آرایی عظیم دیدار با رئیس «مائو» در میدان «تیانانمن» آبدیده و ورزیده شده بود؛ فرمانده اتحاد سرخ از ده دوازده اجاق آهنی داخل ساختمان می‌ترسید، که پر از مواد منفجره بودند، و به وسیله ی چند چاشنی الکتریکی به هم متصل شده بودند؛ فرمانده آن‌ها را نمی‌دید، اما مثل آهنی که کشش آهن‌ربایِ نزدیکش را ردیابی می‌کند، وجود مواد منفجره را حس می‌کرد؛ اگر مدافع گارد سرخ سوئیچ را می‌زد، انقلابیون و ضد انقلابیون، همگی یکجا، در گلوله ی آتشی عظیم می‌مردند؛ و از جوانان گارد سرخ بریگاد بیست و هشت آوریل، واقعاً چنین دیوانگی‌ای برمی‌آمد؛ در مقایسه با مردان و زنان سرد و گرم چشیده‌ ی اولین نسل گارد سرخ، این شورشیان جدید، یک گله گرگ روی زغال آتشین و دیوانه‌تر از هر دیوانه‌ای بودند.)؛ پایان نقل تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 04/12/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا.شربیانی     21th-century asia china               651 reviews325 followers     May 25, 2020    “Is it possible that the relationship between humanity and evil is similar to the relationship between the ocean and an iceberg floating on its surface? Both the ocean and the iceberg are made of the same material. That the iceberg seems separate is only because it is in a different form. In reality, it is but a part of the vast ocean.”   Reading this book was an incredibly enriching experience. Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres, but I have to admit that sometimes books in this category can be a little "superficial" and mainly for entertainment purposes. I believe this author reached peaks comparable to Asimov with this work! I couldn't put this book down, and I even read whole sections of it more than once for pure pleasure (and also some because I couldn't understand what he was saying 🤣 I'm not a quantum physicist so yeah 🤣). What a ride! A true work of genius.   As for the three different settings of the book, the contemporary one, the historical one (set during the chinese revolution) and the "sci-fi" one (of which I am not going to talk to prevent spoilers), I was intrigued by the first, extremely interested in the second, and absolutely mesmerized by the third. The length of the novel and the ability of the writer created a world so well-built and immersive that I felt catapulted in an other dimension. Until now, only a few sci-fi books have given me a similar experience, and they are all "classics". I truly believe this one to be a modern classic already.    Finally, the richness of the purely sci-fi aspect of it, is so imaginative and revolutionary that I am sure I will think about it for years to come. Some sections of it reminded me of pioneer texts like Flatland (if you've read both books, I am pretty sure you know of which part I am talking about). I would like to write more, but really I don't want to spoil this experience to anyone! I can only recommend with the greatest enthusiasm to read this book as soon as possible! 🙃   note: I just finished re-reading this book and I can confirm 100% that this is a masterpiece!!! Can't wait to go on with the series.      2019-favorites audiobooks re-reads               809 reviews14.4k followers     January 6, 2018   In an afterword, Liu expresses his opinion that science fiction should not be used to make social commentary but should instead restrict itself to playing with ideas of science and technology. I was surprised to see that because Three Body had struck me (tentatively, since I know little about China) as an especially Chinese novel, with much to say about how societies should be organised. The portrait of an ‘authoritarian’ alien civilisation, where individuality is repressed in favour of homogenous common benefit, seemed almost too obvious a comment on Communism, especially when juxtaposed, as it is here, with historical scenes of the Cultural Revolution.Whether you accept his protestations or not is unlikely to affect your enjoyment of the novel, which blends historical tragedy with the kind of slow-burning first contact story that harks back to the golden age of the 1940s and '50s in the US. Perhaps the most fascinating scenes in the book, and certainly the eeriest, are those set within a virtual-reality computer game which is concerned with the practical implications of the three-body problem in physics; these chapters seem grand and bleak and impressively inhuman in scope. Less successful, perhaps, are the interpersonal relationships and the motivations of the characters in general. The plot hinges on the assumption that, faced with a particular challenge to their scientific and existential ideas, vast numbers of people would deliberately opt for suicide, both personally and in terms of trying to destroy their entire species. This seemed a little infeasible to me, though perhaps it's just a more Chinese way of looking at things. Either way, it makes for a curious and unusual plot. (An interesting companion read might be Adam Roberts's Yellow Blue Tibia, which used first contact as a way of writing about Stalin's Russia.) The translation, from (the unrelated) Ken Liu, is excellent on a sentence-by-sentence level, though apparently he rearranged some of the chapters for an English-speaking audience, which I can't say I approve of.     china fiction sci-fi               712 reviews574 followers     June 9, 2021    To effectively contain a civilization’s development and disarm it across such a long span of time, there is only one way: kill its science. The Three-Body Problem is a very original story, and one that’s rather difficult to describe. Set in the present, in flashbacks against the backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and at some points in cyberspace, this novel tells a tale of humanity’s first contact with an alien race.I have read reviews stating that The Three-Body Problem feels Chinese. I can’t say whether the book feels Chinese (though it is set there) or whether it’s just this writer’s style. I can say that this book is hard sci-fi, like a Crichton novel on steroids. There are extensive sections in which various physics or computing concepts are laid out. They all serve the plot well, but this style will not be for everyone. Especially since the main weakness of the book is characterization. There is really only one fully developed character (Ye Wenjie), and one entertaining sidekick (Da Shi). Otherwise, the characters are generally passive and largely forgettable.  The Three-Body Problem is a plot-driven story about big ideas. I love that it is very pro-science: science is the hope for humanity, and stopping earth’s scientific progress is the goal of our enemies. I can see why it won the Hugo Award for best science-fiction novel. I will definitely read the second book in the trilogy. Recommended, and highly recommended if you enjoy hard sci-fi.     2017 from-library               Author  9 books209 followers     May 8, 2021   Sexta: Bravo! Realmente una magnífica obra. Gran derroche de conceptos metafísicos constatables en esta obra. Es ciencia ficción dura, de hoy, ningún blablabla, pura materia gris e información trascendental. Me ha encantado! Fuente de inspiración pura!Pronto comienzo con la segunda parte! Quinta: Muy bien documentado. Conceptos científicos ( ingeniería y metafísica )muy bien amarrados y defendidos a la hora no sólo de su exposición sino tambien en su manejo al convertirlos en ciencia ficción creíble.  Cuarta: Me gusta mucho! Pero ya estoy esperando el momento en que el autor desacelere un poco el “hype” ya que con esto se consigue desarrollar un gran final. Vamos viendo 😊👍 Tercera: Este libro me está... encantando! Cumple con mis constantes necesidades de desarrollo, crecimiento y expansión de mi red neuronal hacia el cosmos! La magia del conocimiento!!! Mi trilogía no está nada mal señores... nada mal!!!! Continúo. Segunda: Vaya! Me está gustando mucho! Os lo juro, hasta ahora me va recordando a mi trilogía!, en el estilo, la proyección y construcción de la historia y su narrativa. Continuamos!😊👍 Primera reseña: Comienzo con este libro del cual me han tambien hablado mucho y dicen que es muuuuyyy bueno, premiado con el premio Hugo. Como siempre,lo puntúo al final. A ver qué tal! 😊👍     ficción               561 reviews89 followers     May 23, 2022   review-coming-soon "Is it possible that the relationship between humanity and evil is similar to the relationship between the ocean and an iceberg floating on its surface?"      review-coming-soon               507 reviews753 followers     February 10, 2017   One of my favorite ways of choosing a book by an unfamiliar author to read is by the buzz from sf blogs and discussion forums. Not any old buzz mind you, I don’t want to end up reading “50 Shades” or some equally unreadable blockbusters, I only take notice of the excitement among SF/F reading communities. The Three-Body Problem was my SF Book Club’s book of the month (three months ago), it was recommended to me a friend here on GR and I have noticed numerous blogs, articles and online discussions about it so if I am to have any hope of keeping up with the Sci-fi Joneses I’d better give it a shot*. About the official synopsis, I am surprised how much spoiler is in it. I am glad I did not read the synopsis until I was half way through the book, but even then I wish I had finished the book before reading the thing. Having said that, when I tried to write my own synopsis I find myself struggling as the book’s storyline is quite complex with several plot twists and turns. It starts in China in 1967 during the Cultural Revolution, astrophysicist Ye Wenjie witnesses her father’s public execution at the hands of some young Red Guards women. This is beginning of her disdain for the entire human race and a later betrayal by a friend which leads to her agreeing to join a top secret Government science project which has will have a great impact on the future of humanity. About forty years later Wang Miao a nanomaterial researcher stumbles upon a VR game that seems to have surprising real world consequences. OK, a little bit of a spoiler now. After all the surprising plot developments this book ultimately turns out to be about . It is not all about that though, there are many facets to this book: Hard SF / cyberpunk / conspiracy / Chinese Cultural Revolution, not to mention the human drama, the political allegory, the philosophy and the moral themes of loyalty and betrayal (of individuals and eventually the entire human race). I think even the kitchen sink is mentioned at one point!  The Three-Body Problem is a huge bestseller in China, it is the first book of a trilogy (only this first volume translated and published internationally so far) and a film adaptation is in the making (by Chinese film makers, not Hollywood – yet). The book reminds me a little bit of Neal Stephenson's  Snow Crash though it is much grimmer in tone and also Asimov’s classic  The Gods Themselves (ah, I need to reread this!). Considering the hype I am surprising how divisive this book is, it has all the things most hard SF fans normally want, the plausible science, the cool tech, huge ideas etc. I suspect the dislike among some of the readers is due to the book's initial focus on the Cultural Revolution in the 60s. If you read sci-fi just for the sci-fi and you don't want to know about this part of Chinese history this substantial part of the book may bore you. I know nothing about this history and I personally found it to be very interesting. There are also some lengthy scientific expositions which are a little hard to follow. I quite like how the main characters are developed but none of them are particularly sympathetic, not even Wang Miao who is described as “a good man”. I love the cyberspace world (or metaverse) of this book, it is bizarre and fascinating; how it impacts the real world is more reminiscent of  Philip K. Dick than  William Gibson. It also leads to the explanation of the book’s title which is a brilliant hard sci-fi concept. The New York Times described this book as “a classic science-fiction story in the style of the British master  Arthur C. Clarke”. While the comparison makes some sense stylistically Liu Cixin is very different from Sir Arthur C. I don’t know how much of this is due to the excellent translation by  Ken Liu but there is much more characterization and emotion here than any Clarke books I have read. This does not make him a better author than Clarke though, Clarke was a master storyteller who told some ingenious stories with much more economy and clarity of vision. So given the divisive opinions of this book I would recommend it with caution that you try a sample chapter first if possible, or at least read a few trusted reviews. Also, the book is not an easy breezy read, there are passages that will tax your brain and others that require your patience. Personally I would love to find out what happen in the subsequent volumes of the trilogy. Get on with it Mr. Ken Liu!__________________  Note: Barack Obama has something interesting to say about The Three-Body Problem       sci-fi
The Three-Body Problem (Remembrance of Earth’s Past, #1…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20518872-the-three-body-problem
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-body_problem
Three-body problem - Wikipedia
2004-11-25
None
<div><div>
<div><p><a href="/wiki/File:Three-body_Problem_Animation_with_COM.gif"></a></p><div><p>Approximate trajectories of three identical bodies located at the vertices of a scalene triangle and having zero initial velocities. It is seen that the <a href="/wiki/Center_of_mass">center of mass</a>, in accordance with the <a href="/wiki/Momentum#Conservation">law of conservation of momentum</a>, remains in place.</p></div></div>
<p>In <a href="/wiki/Physics">physics</a> and <a href="/wiki/Classical_mechanics">classical mechanics</a>, the <b>three-body problem</b> is the problem of taking the initial positions and velocities (or <a href="/wiki/Momentum">momenta</a>) of three point masses and solving for their subsequent motion according to <a href="/wiki/Newton%27s_laws_of_motion">Newton's laws of motion</a> and <a href="/wiki/Newton%27s_law_of_universal_gravitation">Newton's law of universal gravitation</a>.<sup><a href="#cite_note-PrincetonCompanion-1">[1]</a></sup> The three-body problem is a special case of the <a href="/wiki/N-body_problem">n-body problem</a>. Unlike <a href="/wiki/Two-body_problem">two-body problems</a>, no general <a href="/wiki/Closed-form_solution">closed-form solution</a> exists,<sup><a href="#cite_note-PrincetonCompanion-1">[1]</a></sup> as the resulting <a href="/wiki/Dynamical_system">dynamical system</a> is <a href="/wiki/Chaos_theory">chaotic</a> for most <a href="/wiki/Initial_condition">initial conditions</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Numerical_method">numerical methods</a> are generally required.
</p><p>Historically, the first specific three-body problem to receive extended study was the one involving the <a href="/wiki/Moon">Moon</a>, <a href="/wiki/Earth">Earth</a>, and the <a href="/wiki/Sun">Sun</a>.<sup><a href="#cite_note-first-2">[2]</a></sup> In an extended modern sense, a three-body problem is any problem in <a href="/wiki/Classical_mechanics">classical mechanics</a> or <a href="/wiki/Quantum_mechanics">quantum mechanics</a> that models the motion of three particles.
</p>
<h2>Mathematical description[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=1">edit</a>]</h2>
<p>The mathematical statement of the three-body problem can be given in terms of the Newtonian equations of motion for vector positions of three gravitationally interacting bodies with masses :
</p>
<dl><dd></dd></dl>
<p>where is the <a href="/wiki/Gravitational_constant">gravitational constant</a>.<sup><a href="#cite_note-Barrow-Green1997-3">[3]</a></sup><sup><a href="#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup> This is a set of nine second-order <a href="/wiki/Differential_equations">differential equations</a>. The problem can also be stated equivalently in the <a href="/wiki/Hamiltonian_formalism">Hamiltonian formalism</a>, in which case it is described by a set of 18 first-order differential equations, one for each component of the positions and momenta :
</p>
<dl><dd></dd></dl>
<p>where is the <a href="/wiki/Hamiltonian_mechanics#Mathematical_formalism">Hamiltonian</a>:
</p>
<dl><dd></dd></dl>
<p>In this case is simply the total energy of the system, gravitational plus kinetic.
</p>
<h3>Restricted three-body problem[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=2">edit</a>]</h3>
<div><p><a href="/wiki/File:Restricted_Three-Body_Problem_-_Energy_Potential_Analysis.png"></a></p><div><p>The circular restricted three-body problem is a valid approximation of elliptical orbits found in the <a href="/wiki/Solar_System">Solar System</a>, and this can be visualized as a combination of the potentials due to the gravity of the two primary bodies along with the centrifugal effect from their rotation (<a href="/wiki/Coriolis_effect">Coriolis effects</a> are dynamic and not shown). The <a href="/wiki/Lagrange_points">Lagrange points</a> can then be seen as the five places where the gradient on the resultant surface is zero (shown as blue lines), indicating that the forces are in balance there.</p></div></div>
<p>In the <i>restricted three-body problem</i>,<sup><a href="#cite_note-Barrow-Green1997-3">[3]</a></sup> a body of negligible mass (the "planetoid") moves under the influence of two massive bodies. Having negligible mass, the force that the planetoid exerts on the two massive bodies may be neglected, and the system can be analysed and can therefore be described in terms of a two-body motion. Usually this two-body motion is taken to consist of circular orbits around the <a href="/wiki/Center_of_mass">center of mass</a>, and the planetoid is assumed to move in the plane defined by the circular orbits.
</p><p>The restricted three-body problem is easier to analyze theoretically than the full problem. It is of practical interest as well since it accurately describes many real-world problems, the most important example being the Earth–Moon–Sun system. For these reasons, it has occupied an important role in the historical development of the three-body problem.
</p><p>Mathematically, the problem is stated as follows. Let be the masses of the two massive bodies, with (planar) coordinates and , and let be the coordinates of the planetoid. For simplicity, choose units such that the distance between the two massive bodies, as well as the gravitational constant, are both equal to . Then, the motion of the planetoid is given by
</p>
<dl><dd></dd></dl>
<p>where . In this form the equations of motion carry an explicit time dependence through the coordinates . However, this time dependence can be removed through a transformation to a rotating reference frame, which simplifies any subsequent analysis.
</p>
<h2>Solutions[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=3">edit</a>]</h2>
<h3>General solution[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=4">edit</a>]</h3>
<div><p><a href="/wiki/File:3bodyproblem.gif"></a></p><div><p>While a system of 3 bodies interacting gravitationally is <a href="/wiki/Chaos_theory">chaotic</a>, a system of 3 bodies interacting <a href="/wiki/Force#Elastic_force">elastically</a> isn't.</p></div></div>
<p>There is no general <a href="/wiki/Closed-form_expression">closed-form solution</a> to the three-body problem,<sup><a href="#cite_note-PrincetonCompanion-1">[1]</a></sup> meaning there is no general solution that can be expressed in terms of a finite number of standard mathematical operations. Moreover, the motion of three bodies is generally non-repeating, except in special cases.<sup><a href="#cite_note-13solutions-5">[5]</a></sup>
</p><p>However, in 1912 the <a href="/wiki/Finland">Finnish</a> mathematician <a href="/wiki/Karl_Fritiof_Sundman">Karl Fritiof Sundman</a> proved that there exists an <a href="/wiki/Closed-form_expression#Analytic_expression">analytic solution</a> to the three-body problem in the form of a <a href="/wiki/Power_series">power series</a> in terms of powers of <i>t</i><sup>1/3</sup>.<sup><a href="#cite_note-6">[6]</a></sup> This series converges for all real t, except for initial conditions corresponding to zero <a href="/wiki/Angular_momentum">angular momentum</a>. In practice, the latter restriction is insignificant since initial conditions with zero angular momentum are rare, having <a href="/wiki/Lebesgue_measure">Lebesgue measure</a> zero.
</p><p>An important issue in proving this result is the fact that the radius of convergence for this series is determined by the distance to the nearest singularity. Therefore, it is necessary to study the possible singularities of the three-body problems. As will be briefly discussed below, the only singularities in the three-body problem are binary collisions (collisions between two particles at an instant) and triple collisions (collisions between three particles at an instant).
</p><p>Collisions, whether binary or triple (in fact, any number), are somewhat improbable, since it has been shown that they correspond to a set of initial conditions of measure zero. However, there is no criterion known to be put on the initial state in order to avoid collisions for the corresponding solution. So Sundman's strategy consisted of the following steps:
</p>
<ol><li>Using an appropriate change of variables to continue analyzing the solution beyond the binary collision, in a process known as <a href="/wiki/Regularization_(physics)">regularization</a>.</li>
<li>Proving that triple collisions only occur when the angular momentum <b>L</b> vanishes. By restricting the initial data to <b>L</b> ≠ <b>0</b>, he removed all <i>real</i> singularities from the transformed equations for the three-body problem.</li>
<li>Showing that if <b>L</b> ≠ <b>0</b>, then not only can there be no triple collision, but the system is strictly bounded away from a triple collision. This implies, by using <a href="/wiki/Cauchy">Cauchy</a>'s <a href="/wiki/Existence_theorem">existence theorem</a> for differential equations, that there are no complex singularities in a strip (depending on the value of <b>L</b>) in the complex plane centered around the real axis (shades of <a href="/wiki/Cauchy%E2%80%93Kovalevskaya_theorem">Kovalevskaya</a>).</li>
<li>Find a conformal transformation that maps this strip into the unit disc. For example, if <i>s</i> = <i>t</i><sup>1/3</sup> (the new variable after the regularization) and if |ln <i>s</i>| ≤ <i>β</i>,<sup>[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify">clarification needed</a></i>]</sup> then this map is given by <div><p></p></div></li></ol>
<p>This finishes the proof of Sundman's theorem.
</p><p>The corresponding series, however, converges very slowly. That is, obtaining a value of meaningful precision requires so many terms that this solution is of little practical use. Indeed, in 1930, David Beloriszky calculated that if Sundman's series were to be used for astronomical observations, then the computations would involve at least 10<sup>8000000</sup> terms.<sup><a href="#cite_note-7">[7]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3>Special-case solutions[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=5">edit</a>]</h3>
<p>In 1767, <a href="/wiki/Leonhard_Euler">Leonhard Euler</a> found three families of periodic solutions in which the three masses are collinear at each instant. See <a href="/wiki/Euler%27s_three-body_problem">Euler's three-body problem</a>.
</p><p>In 1772, <a href="/wiki/Joseph_Louis_Lagrange">Lagrange</a> found a family of solutions in which the three masses form an equilateral triangle at each instant. Together with Euler's collinear solutions, these solutions form the <a href="/wiki/Central_configuration">central configurations</a> for the three-body problem. These solutions are valid for any mass ratios, and the masses move on <a href="/wiki/Kepler_orbit">Keplerian ellipses</a>. These four families are the only known solutions for which there are explicit analytic formulae. In the special case of the <a href="/wiki/Circular_restricted_three-body_problem">circular restricted three-body problem</a>, these solutions, viewed in a frame rotating with the primaries, become points which are referred to as L<sub>1</sub>, L<sub>2</sub>, L<sub>3</sub>, L<sub>4</sub>, and L<sub>5</sub>, and called <a href="/wiki/Lagrangian_point">Lagrangian points</a>, with L<sub>4</sub> and L<sub>5</sub> being symmetric instances of Lagrange's solution.
</p><p>In work summarized in 1892–1899, <a href="/wiki/Henri_Poincar%C3%A9">Henri Poincaré</a> established the existence of an infinite number of periodic solutions to the restricted three-body problem, together with techniques for continuing these solutions into the general three-body problem.
</p><p>In 1893, Meissel stated what is now called the Pythagorean three-body problem: three masses in the ratio 3:4:5 are placed at rest at the vertices of a <a href="/wiki/Special_right_triangle">3:4:5 right triangle</a>. Burrau<sup><a href="#cite_note-Burrau-8">[8]</a></sup> further investigated this problem in 1913. In 1967 <a href="/wiki/Victor_Szebehely">Victor Szebehely</a> and <a href="/w/index.php?title=C._Frederick_Peters&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">C. Frederick Peters</a> established eventual escape for this problem using numerical integration, while at the same time finding a nearby periodic solution.<sup><a href="#cite_note-9">[9]</a></sup>
</p><p>In the 1970s, <a href="/wiki/Michel_H%C3%A9non">Michel Hénon</a> and <a href="/wiki/Roger_A._Broucke">Roger A. Broucke</a> each found a set of solutions that form part of the same family of solutions: the Broucke–Henon–Hadjidemetriou family. In this family the three objects all have the same mass and can exhibit both retrograde and direct forms. In some of Broucke's solutions two of the bodies follow the same path.<sup><a href="#cite_note-TBG-10">[10]</a></sup>
</p>
<div><p><a href="/wiki/File:Three_body_problem_figure-8_orbit_animation.gif"></a></p><div><p>An animation of the figure-8 solution to the three-body problem over a single period T ≃ 6.3259.<sup><a href="#cite_note-11">[11]</a></sup></p></div></div>
<p>In 1993, a zero angular momentum solution with three equal masses moving around a figure-eight shape was discovered numerically by physicist <a href="/wiki/Cris_Moore">Cris Moore</a> at the Santa Fe Institute.<sup><a href="#cite_note-12">[12]</a></sup> Its formal existence was later proved in 2000 by mathematicians <a href="/wiki/Alain_Chenciner">Alain Chenciner</a> and Richard Montgomery.<sup><a href="#cite_note-13">[13]</a></sup><sup><a href="#cite_note-14">[14]</a></sup> The solution has been shown numerically to be stable for small perturbations of the mass and orbital parameters, which makes it possible that such orbits could be observed in the physical universe. However, it has been argued that this occurrence is unlikely since the domain of stability is small. For instance, the probability of a binary–binary <a href="/wiki/Scattering">scattering</a> event<sup>[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify">clarification needed</a></i>]</sup> resulting in a figure-8 orbit has been estimated to be a small fraction of a percent.<sup><a href="#cite_note-15">[15]</a></sup>
</p><p>In 2013, physicists Milovan Šuvakov and Veljko Dmitrašinović at the Institute of Physics in Belgrade discovered 13 new families of solutions for the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem.<sup><a href="#cite_note-13solutions-5">[5]</a></sup><sup><a href="#cite_note-TBG-10">[10]</a></sup>
</p><p>In 2015, physicist Ana Hudomal discovered 14 new families of solutions for the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem.<sup><a href="#cite_note-16">[16]</a></sup>
</p><p>In 2017, researchers Xiaoming Li and Shijun Liao found 669 new periodic orbits of the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem.<sup><a href="#cite_note-17">[17]</a></sup> This was followed in 2018 by an additional 1223 new solutions for a zero-angular-momentum system of unequal masses.<sup><a href="#cite_note-18">[18]</a></sup>
</p><p>In 2018, Li and Liao reported 234 solutions to the unequal-mass "free-fall" three body problem.<sup><a href="#cite_note-19">[19]</a></sup> The free fall formulation of the three body problem starts with all three bodies at rest. Because of this, the masses in a free-fall configuration do not orbit in a closed "loop", but travel forwards and backwards along an open "track".
</p>
<h3>Numerical approaches[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=6">edit</a>]</h3>
<p>Using a computer, the problem may be solved to arbitrarily high precision using <a href="/wiki/Numerical_integration">numerical integration</a> although high precision requires a large amount of CPU time. There have been attempts of creating computer programs that numerically solve the three-body problem (and by extension, the n-body problem) involving both electromagnetic and gravitational interactions, and incorporating modern theories of physics such as special relativity.<sup><a href="#cite_note-20">[20]</a></sup> In addition, using the theory of <a href="/wiki/Random_walks">random walks</a>, the probability of different outcomes may be computed.<sup><a href="#cite_note-21">[21]</a></sup><sup><a href="#cite_note-22">[22]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2>History[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=7">edit</a>]</h2>
<p>The gravitational problem of three bodies in its traditional sense dates in substance from 1687, when <a href="/wiki/Isaac_Newton">Isaac Newton</a> published his <i><a href="/wiki/Philosophi%C3%A6_Naturalis_Principia_Mathematica">Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica</a>,</i> when Newton was trying to figure out if any long term stability is possible, especially the system of our <a href="/wiki/Earth">Earth</a>, the <a href="/wiki/Moon">Moon</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Sun">the Sun.</a> He was guided under the major Renaissance astronomers <a href="/wiki/Nicolaus_Copernicus">Nicolaus Copernicus</a>, <a href="/wiki/Tycho_Brahe">Tycho Brahe</a> and <a href="/wiki/Johannes_Kepler">Johannes Kepler</a> to the beginning of the gravitational three-body problem.<sup><a href="#cite_note-:1-23">[23]</a></sup> In Proposition 66 of Book 1 of the <i>Principia</i>, and its 22 Corollaries, Newton took the first steps in the definition and study of the problem of the movements of three massive bodies subject to their mutually perturbing gravitational attractions. In Propositions 25 to 35 of Book 3, Newton also took the first steps in applying his results of Proposition 66 to the <a href="/wiki/Lunar_theory#Newton">lunar theory</a>, the motion of the Moon under the gravitational influence of Earth and the Sun.<sup><a href="#cite_note-24">[24]</a></sup> Later, this problem was also applied to other planets' interactions with the Earth and the Sun.<sup><a href="#cite_note-:1-23">[23]</a></sup>
</p><p>The physical problem was firstly addressed by <a href="/wiki/Amerigo_Vespucci">Amerigo Vespucci</a> and subsequently by <a href="/wiki/Galileo_Galilei">Galileo Galilei</a>, as well as <a href="/wiki/Simon_Stevin">Simon Stevin</a>, but they did not realize what they contributed. Though Galileo determined that the speed of fall of all bodies changes uniformly and in the same way, he did not apply it to planetary motions.<sup><a href="#cite_note-:1-23">[23]</a></sup> Whereas in 1499, Vespucci used knowledge of the position of the Moon to determine his position in Brazil.<sup><a href="#cite_note-25">[25]</a></sup> It became of technical importance in the 1720s, as an accurate solution would be applicable to navigation, specifically for the <a href="/wiki/History_of_longitude#Problem_of_longitude">determination of longitude at sea</a>, solved in practice by <a href="/wiki/John_Harrison">John Harrison</a>'s invention of the <a href="/wiki/Marine_chronometer">marine chronometer</a>. However the accuracy of the <a href="/wiki/Lunar_theory">lunar theory</a> was low, due to the perturbing effect of the Sun and planets on the motion of the Moon around Earth.
</p><p><a href="/wiki/Jean_le_Rond_d%27Alembert">Jean le Rond d'Alembert</a> and <a href="/wiki/Alexis_Clairaut">Alexis Clairaut</a>, who developed a longstanding rivalry, both attempted to analyze the problem in some degree of generality; they submitted their competing first analyses to the Académie Royale des Sciences in 1747.<sup><a href="#cite_note-26">[26]</a></sup> It was in connection with their research, in Paris during the 1740s, that the name "three-body problem" (<a href="/wiki/French_language">French</a>: <i>Problème des trois Corps</i>) began to be commonly used. An account published in 1761 by Jean le Rond d'Alembert indicates that the name was first used in 1747.<sup><a href="#cite_note-27">[27]</a></sup>
</p><p>From the end of the 19th century to early 20th century, the approach to solve the three-body problem with the usage of short-range attractive two-body forces was developed by scientists, which offered P.F. Bedaque, H.-W. Hammer and U. van Kolck an idea to renormalize the short-range three-body problem, providing scientists a rare example of a <a href="/wiki/Renormalization_group">renormalization group</a> <a href="/wiki/Limit_cycle">limit cycle</a> at the beginning of the 21st century.<sup><a href="#cite_note-:0-28">[28]</a></sup> <a href="/wiki/George_William_Hill">George William Hill</a> worked on the restricted problem in the late 19th century with an application of motion of <a href="/wiki/Venus">Venus</a> and <a href="/wiki/Mercury_(planet)">Mercury</a>.<sup><a href="#cite_note-29">[29]</a></sup>
</p><p>At the beginning of the 20th century, <a href="/wiki/Karl_F._Sundman">Karl Sundman</a> approached the problem mathematically and systematically by providing a function theoretical proof to the problem valid for all values of time. It was the first time scientists theoretically solved three-body problem. However, because there was not enough qualitative solution of this system, and it was too slow for scientists to practically apply it, this solution still left some issues unresolved.<sup><a href="#cite_note-30">[30]</a></sup> In the 1970s, implication to three-body from two-body forces has been discovered by <a href="/wiki/Vitaly_Efimov">V. Efimov</a> which was named as <a href="/wiki/Efimov_effect">Efimov Effect</a>.<sup><a href="#cite_note-31">[31]</a></sup>
</p><p>In 2017, <a href="/wiki/Liao_Shijun">Shijun Liao</a> and Xiaoming Li applied a new strategy of numerical simulation for chaotic systems called the clean numerical simulation (CNS), with the use of a national supercomputer, to successfully gain 695 families of periodic solutions of the three-body system with equal mass.<sup><a href="#cite_note-32">[32]</a></sup>
</p><p>In 2019, Breen et al. announced a fast <a href="/wiki/Neural_network">neural network</a> solver for the three-body problem, trained using a numerical integrator.<sup><a href="#cite_note-33">[33]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2>Other problems involving three bodies[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=8">edit</a>]</h2>
<p>The term "three-body problem" is sometimes used in the more general sense to refer to any physical problem involving the interaction of three bodies.
</p><p>A quantum-mechanical analogue of the gravitational three-body problem in classical mechanics is the <a href="/wiki/Helium_atom">helium atom</a>,
in which a <a href="/wiki/Helium">helium</a> nucleus and two <a href="/wiki/Electrons">electrons</a> interact according to the <a href="/wiki/Inverse-square">inverse-square</a> <a href="/wiki/Coulomb_interaction">Coulomb interaction</a>. Like the
gravitational three-body problem, the helium atom cannot be solved exactly.<sup><a href="#cite_note-34">[34]</a></sup>
</p><p>In both classical and quantum mechanics, however, there exist nontrivial interaction laws besides the inverse-square force which
do lead to exact analytic three-body solutions. One such model consists of a combination of <a href="/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator">harmonic attraction</a> and a repulsive inverse-cube force.<sup><a href="#cite_note-Crandall1984-35">[35]</a></sup> This model is considered nontrivial since it is associated with a set of nonlinear differential equations containing singularities (compared with, e.g., harmonic interactions alone, which lead to an easily solved system of linear differential equations). In these two respects it is analogous to (insoluble) models having Coulomb interactions, and as a result has been suggested as a tool for intuitively understanding physical systems like the helium atom.<sup><a href="#cite_note-Crandall1984-35">[35]</a></sup><sup><a href="#cite_note-36">[36]</a></sup>
</p><p>Within the <a href="/wiki/Two-dimensional_point_vortex_gas">point vortex model</a>, the motion of <a href="/wiki/Vortex">vortices</a> in a two-dimensional ideal fluid is described by equations of motion that contain only first-order time derivatives. I.e. in contrast to Newtonian mechanics, it is the <i>velocity</i> and not the acceleration that is determined by their relative positions. As a consequence, the three-vortex problem is still <a href="/wiki/Integrable_system">integrable</a>,<sup><a href="#cite_note-37">[37]</a></sup> while at least four vortices are required to obtain chaotic behavior.<sup><a href="#cite_note-38">[38]</a></sup> One can draw parallels between the motion of a passive tracer particle in the velocity field of three vortices and the restricted three-body problem of Newtonian mechanics.<sup><a href="#cite_note-39">[39]</a></sup>
</p><p>The gravitational three-body problem has also been studied using <a href="/wiki/General_relativity">general relativity</a>. Physically, a relativistic treatment becomes necessary in systems with very strong gravitational fields, such as near the <a href="/wiki/Event_horizon">event horizon</a> of a <a href="/wiki/Black_hole">black hole</a>. However, the relativistic problem is considerably more difficult than in Newtonian mechanics, and <a href="/wiki/Numerical_relativity">sophisticated numerical techniques</a> are required.
Even the full <a href="/wiki/Two-body_problem_in_general_relativity">two-body problem</a> (i.e. for arbitrary ratio of masses) does not have a rigorous analytic solution in general relativity.<sup><a href="#cite_note-40">[40]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2>n-body problem[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=9">edit</a>]</h2>
<p>The three-body problem is a special case of the <a href="/wiki/N-body_problem">n-body problem</a>, which describes how n objects move under one of the physical forces, such as gravity. These problems have a global analytical solution in the form of a convergent power series, as was proven by <a href="/wiki/Karl_F._Sundman">Karl F. Sundman</a> for <i>n</i> = 3 and by <a href="/wiki/Qiudong_Wang">Qiudong Wang</a> for <i>n</i> &gt; 3 (see <a href="/wiki/N-body_problem">n-body problem</a> for details). However, the Sundman and Wang series converge so slowly that they are useless for practical purposes;<sup><a href="#cite_note-41">[41]</a></sup> therefore, it is currently necessary to approximate solutions by <a href="/wiki/Numerical_analysis">numerical analysis</a> in the form of <a href="/wiki/Numerical_integration">numerical integration</a> or, for some cases, classical <a href="/wiki/Trigonometric_series">trigonometric series</a> approximations (see <a href="/wiki/N-body_simulation">n-body simulation</a>). Atomic systems, e.g. atoms, ions, and molecules, can be treated in terms of the quantum n-body problem. Among classical physical systems, the n-body problem usually refers to a <a href="/wiki/Galaxy">galaxy</a> or to a <a href="/wiki/Cluster_of_galaxies">cluster of galaxies</a>; planetary systems, such as stars, planets, and their satellites, can also be treated as n-body systems. Some applications are conveniently treated by <a href="/wiki/Perturbation_(astronomy)">perturbation</a> theory, in which the system is considered as a two-body problem plus additional forces causing deviations from a hypothetical unperturbed two-body trajectory.
</p>
<h2>In popular culture[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=10">edit</a>]</h2>
<p>In the classic 1951 science-fiction film <i><a href="/wiki/The_Day_the_Earth_Stood_Still">The Day the Earth Stood Still</a></i>, the alien Klaatu, using the pseudonym Mr. Carpenter, makes some annotations to equations on Prof. Barnhardt's blackboard. Those equations are an accurate description of a particular form of the three-body problem.
</p><p>The first volume of Chinese author <a href="/wiki/Liu_Cixin">Liu Cixin</a>'s <i><a href="/wiki/Remembrance_of_Earth%27s_Past">Remembrance of Earth's Past</a></i> trilogy is titled <i><a href="/wiki/The_Three-Body_Problem_(novel)">The Three-Body Problem</a></i> and features the three-body problem as a central plot device.<sup><a href="#cite_note-42">[42]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2>See also[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=11">edit</a>]</h2>
<div>
<ul><li><a href="/wiki/Few-body_systems">Few-body systems</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Galaxy_formation_and_evolution">Galaxy formation and evolution</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Gravity_assist">Gravity assist</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Lagrange_point">Lagrange point</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Low-energy_transfer">Low-energy transfer</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Michael_Minovitch">Michael Minovitch</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/N-body_simulation">n-body simulation</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Symplectic_integrator">Symplectic integrator</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Sitnikov_problem">Sitnikov problem</a></li>
<li><a href="/wiki/Triple_star_system">Triple star system</a></li></ul>
</div>
<h2>References[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=12">edit</a>]</h2>
<div>
<ol>
<li>^ <a href="#cite_ref-PrincetonCompanion_1-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-PrincetonCompanion_1-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-PrincetonCompanion_1-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <cite>Barrow-Green, June (2008), "The Three-Body Problem", in Gowers, Timothy; Barrow-Green, June; Leader, Imre (eds.), <i>The Princeton Companion to Mathematics</i>, Princeton University Press, pp. 726–728</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-first_2-0">^</a></b> <cite><a href="http://www.wolframscience.com/reference/notes/972d">"Historical Notes: Three-Body Problem"</a>. Retrieved 19 July 2017.</cite>
</li>
<li>^ <a href="#cite_ref-Barrow-Green1997_3-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Barrow-Green1997_3-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <cite>Barrow-Green, June (1997). <a href="/wiki/Poincar%C3%A9_and_the_Three-Body_Problem"><i>Poincaré and the Three Body Problem</i></a>. American Mathematical Society. pp. 8–12. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1997ptbp.book.....B">1997ptbp.book.....B</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8218-0367-7"><bdi>978-0-8218-0367-7</bdi></a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b> <cite><a href="http://www.phys.lsu.edu/faculty/gonzalez/Teaching/Phys7221/ThreeBodyProblem.pdf">"The Three-Body Problem"</a> (PDF).</cite>
</li>
<li>^ <a href="#cite_ref-13solutions_5-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-13solutions_5-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <cite>Cartwright, Jon (8 March 2013). <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/physicists-discover-whopping-13-new-solutions-three-body-problem">"Physicists Discover a Whopping 13 New Solutions to Three-Body Problem"</a>. <i>Science Now</i>. Retrieved 2013-04-04.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b> Barrow-Green, J. (2010). <a href="http://oro.open.ac.uk/22440/2/Sundman_final.pdf">The dramatic episode of Sundman</a>, Historia Mathematica 37, pp. 164–203.
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b> <cite>Beloriszky, D. (1930). "Application pratique des méthodes de M. Sundman à un cas particulier du problème des trois corps". <i>Bulletin Astronomique</i>. Série 2. <b>6</b>: 417–434. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1930BuAst...6..417B">1930BuAst...6..417B</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-Burrau_8-0">^</a></b> <cite>Burrau (1913). <a href="https://zenodo.org/record/1424886">"Numerische Berechnung eines Spezialfalles des Dreikörperproblems"</a>. <i>Astronomische Nachrichten</i>. <b>195</b> (6): 113–118. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1913AN....195..113B">1913AN....195..113B</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fasna.19131950602">10.1002/asna.19131950602</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b> <cite>Victor Szebehely; C. Frederick Peters (1967). "Complete Solution of a General Problem of Three Bodies". <i>Astronomical Journal</i>. <b>72</b>: 876. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1967AJ.....72..876S">1967AJ.....72..876S</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1086%2F110355">10.1086/110355</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li>^ <a href="#cite_ref-TBG_10-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-TBG_10-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <cite>Šuvakov, M.; Dmitrašinović, V. <a href="http://suki.ipb.ac.rs/3body/">"Three-body Gallery"</a>. Retrieved 12 August 2015.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b> Here the gravitational constant <i>G</i> has been set to 1, and the initial conditions are <b>r</b><sub>1</sub>(0) = −<b>r</b><sub>3</sub>(0) = (−0.97000436, 0.24308753); <b>r</b><sub>2</sub>(0) = (0,0); <b>v</b><sub>1</sub>(0) = <b>v</b><sub>3</sub>(0) = (0.4662036850, 0.4323657300); <b>v</b><sub>2</sub>(0) = (−0.93240737, −0.86473146). The values are obtained from Chenciner &amp; Montgomery (2000).
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b> <cite>Moore, Cristopher (1993), <a href="http://tuvalu.santafe.edu/~moore/braids-prl.pdf">"Braids in classical dynamics"</a> (PDF), <i>Physical Review Letters</i>, <b>70</b> (24): 3675–3679, <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993PhRvL..70.3675M">1993PhRvL..70.3675M</a>, <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1103%2FPhysRevLett.70.3675">10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.3675</a>, <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)">PMID</a> <a href="//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10053934">10053934</a></cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b> <cite>Chenciner, Alain; Montgomery, Richard (2000). "A remarkable periodic solution of the three-body problem in the case of equal masses". <i>Annals of Mathematics</i>. Second Series. <b>152</b> (3): 881–902. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/math/0011268">math/0011268</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000math.....11268C">2000math.....11268C</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.2307%2F2661357">10.2307/2661357</a>. <a href="/wiki/JSTOR_(identifier)">JSTOR</a> <a href="//www.jstor.org/stable/2661357">2661357</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:10024592">10024592</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a></b> <cite>Montgomery, Richard (2001), <a href="https://www.ams.org/notices/200105/fea-montgomery.pdf">"A new solution to the three-body problem"</a> (PDF), <i>Notices of the American Mathematical Society</i>, <b>48</b>: 471–481</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-15">^</a></b> <cite>Heggie, Douglas C. (2000), "A new outcome of binary–binary scattering", <i>Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society</i>, <b>318</b> (4): L61–L63, <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9604016">astro-ph/9604016</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000MNRAS.318L..61H">2000MNRAS.318L..61H</a>, <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1046%2Fj.1365-8711.2000.04027.x">10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.04027.x</a></cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b> <cite>Hudomal, Ana (October 2015). <a href="http://www.scl.rs/theses/msc_ahudomal.pdf">"New periodic solutions to the three-body problem and gravitational waves"</a> (PDF). <i>Master of Science Thesis at the Faculty of Physics, Belgrade University</i>. Retrieved 5 February 2019.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b> <cite>Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (December 2017). "More than six hundreds new families of Newtonian periodic planar collisionless three-body orbits". <i>Science China Physics, Mechanics &amp; Astronomy</i>. <b>60</b> (12): 129511. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/1705.00527">1705.00527</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017SCPMA..60l9511L">2017SCPMA..60l9511L</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs11433-017-9078-5">10.1007/s11433-017-9078-5</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/1674-7348">1674-7348</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:84838204">84838204</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a></b> <cite>Li, Xiaoming; Jing, Yipeng; Liao, Shijun (13 September 2017). "The 1223 new periodic orbits of planar three-body problem with unequal mass and zero angular momentum". <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/1709.04775">1709.04775</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fpasj%2Fpsy057">10.1093/pasj/psy057</a>.</cite> 
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-19">^</a></b> <cite>Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (2019). "Collisionless periodic orbits in the free-fall three-body problem". <i>New Astronomy</i>. <b>70</b>: 22–26. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/1805.07980">1805.07980</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019NewA...70...22L">2019NewA...70...22L</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.newast.2019.01.003">10.1016/j.newast.2019.01.003</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:89615142">89615142</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-20">^</a></b> <cite><a href="https://3body.hk/">"3body simulator"</a>. <i>3body simulator</i>. Retrieved 2022-11-17.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-21">^</a></b> <cite>Technion (6 October 2021). <a href="https://scitechdaily.com/a-centuries-old-physics-mystery-solved/">"A Centuries-Old Physics Mystery? Solved"</a>. <i>SciTechDaily</i>. <a href="/wiki/SciTech_(magazine)">SciTech</a>. Retrieved 12 October 2021.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-22">^</a></b> <cite>Ginat, Yonadav Barry; Perets, Hagai B. (23 July 2021). <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.11.031020">"Analytical, Statistical Approximate Solution of Dissipative and Nondissipative Binary-Single Stellar Encounters"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Physical_Review">Physical Review</a></i>. <b>11</b> (3): 031020. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/2011.00010">2011.00010</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021PhRvX..11c1020G">2021PhRvX..11c1020G</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1103%2FPhysRevX.11.031020">10.1103/PhysRevX.11.031020</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:235485570">235485570</a>. Retrieved 12 October 2021.</cite>
</li>
<li>^ <a href="#cite_ref-:1_23-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-:1_23-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-:1_23-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <cite>Valtonen, Mauri (3 May 2016). <a href="http://worldcat.org/oclc/1171227640"><i>The Three-body Problem from Pythagoras to Hawking</i></a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-319-22726-9"><bdi>978-3-319-22726-9</bdi></a>. <a href="/wiki/OCLC_(identifier)">OCLC</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/oclc/1171227640">1171227640</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a></b> <cite>Newton, Isaac. <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.14711/spcol/b706487">"Philosophiæ naturalis principia mathematica"</a>. <i>Rare &amp; Special e-Zone</i>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.14711%2Fspcol%2Fb706487">10.14711/spcol/b706487</a>. Retrieved 2022-10-05.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a></b> <cite><a href="https://www.biography.com/explorer/amerigo-vespucci">"Amerigo Vespucci"</a>. <i>Biography</i>. Retrieved 2022-10-05.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-26">^</a></b> The 1747 memoirs of both parties can be read in the volume of <i>Histoires</i> (including <i>Mémoires</i>) of the Académie Royale des Sciences for 1745 (belatedly published in Paris in 1749) (in French):
<dl><dd>Clairaut: "On the System of the World, according to the principles of Universal Gravitation" (at pp. 329–364); and</dd>
<dd>d'Alembert: "General method for determining the orbits and the movements of all the planets, taking into account their mutual actions" (at pp. 365–390).The peculiar dating is explained by a note printed on page 390 of the "Memoirs" section: "Even though the preceding memoirs, of Messrs. Clairaut and d'Alembert, were only read during the course of 1747, it was judged appropriate to publish them in the volume for this year" (i.e. the volume otherwise dedicated to the proceedings of 1745, but published in 1749).</dd></dl>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-27">^</a></b> <a href="/wiki/Jean_le_Rond_d%27Alembert">Jean le Rond d'Alembert</a>, in a paper of 1761 reviewing the mathematical history of the problem, mentions that Euler had given a method for integrating a certain differential equation "in 1740 (seven years before there was question of the Problem of Three Bodies)": see d'Alembert, "Opuscules Mathématiques", vol. 2, Paris 1761, Quatorzième Mémoire ("Réflexions sur le Problème des trois Corps, avec de Nouvelles Tables de la Lune ...") pp. 329–312, at sec. VI, p. 245.
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-:0_28-0">^</a></b> <cite>Mohr, R.F.; Furnstahl, R.J.; Hammer, H.-W.; Perry, R.J.; Wilson, K.G. (January 2006). <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2005.10.002">"Precise numerical results for limit cycles in the quantum three-body problem"</a>. <i>Annals of Physics</i>. <b>321</b> (1): 225–259. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/nucl-th/0509076">nucl-th/0509076</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2006AnPhy.321..225M">2006AnPhy.321..225M</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.aop.2005.10.002">10.1016/j.aop.2005.10.002</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/0003-4916">0003-4916</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:119073191">119073191</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a></b> <a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.32106020676935&amp;view=1up&amp;seq=122&amp;skin=2021">"Coplanar Motion of Two Planets, One Having a Zero Mass"</a>. <a href="/wiki/Annals_of_Mathematics">Annals of Mathematics</a>, Vol. III, pp. 65–73, 1887.
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-30">^</a></b> <cite>Barrow-Green, June (1996-10-29). <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1090/hmath/011"><i>Poincaré and the Three Body Problem</i></a>. History of Mathematics. Vol. 11. Providence, Rhode Island: American Mathematical Society. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1090%2Fhmath%2F011">10.1090/hmath/011</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8218-0367-7"><bdi>978-0-8218-0367-7</bdi></a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-31">^</a></b> <cite>Efimov, V. (1970-12-21). <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0370-2693%2870%2990349-7">"Energy levels arising from resonant two-body forces in a three-body system"</a>. <i>Physics Letters B</i>. <b>33</b> (8): 563–564. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1970PhLB...33..563E">1970PhLB...33..563E</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2F0370-2693%2870%2990349-7">10.1016/0370-2693(70)90349-7</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/0370-2693">0370-2693</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-32">^</a></b> <cite>Liao, Shijun; Li, Xiaoming (2019-11-01). <a href="https://academic.oup.com/nsr/article/6/6/1070/5537324">"On the periodic solutions of the three-body problem"</a>. <i>National Science Review</i>. <b>6</b> (6): 1070–1071. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fnsr%2Fnwz102">10.1093/nsr/nwz102</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/2095-5138">2095-5138</a>. <a href="/wiki/PMC_(identifier)">PMC</a> <a href="//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8291409">8291409</a>. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)">PMID</a> <a href="//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34691975">34691975</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a></b> <cite>Breen, Philip G.; Foley, Christopher N.; Boekholt, Tjarda; Portegies Zwart, Simon (2020). "Newton versus the machine: Solving the chaotic three-body problem using deep neural networks". <i>Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society</i>. <b>494</b> (2): 2465–2470. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/1910.07291">1910.07291</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fmnras%2Fstaa713">10.1093/mnras/staa713</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:204734498">204734498</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-34">^</a></b> <cite>Griffiths, David J. (2004). <i>Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd ed.)</i>. Prentice Hall. p. 311. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-13-111892-8"><bdi>978-0-13-111892-8</bdi></a>. <a href="/wiki/OCLC_(identifier)">OCLC</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/oclc/40251748">40251748</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li>^ <a href="#cite_ref-Crandall1984_35-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Crandall1984_35-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <cite>Crandall, R.; Whitnell, R.; Bettega, R. (1984). "Exactly soluble two-electron atomic model". <i>American Journal of Physics</i>. <b>52</b> (5): 438–442. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1984AmJPh..52..438C">1984AmJPh..52..438C</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1119%2F1.13650">10.1119/1.13650</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-36">^</a></b> <cite>Calogero, F. (1969). "Solution of a Three-Body Problem in One Dimension". <i>Journal of Mathematical Physics</i>. <b>10</b> (12): 2191–2196. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1969JMP....10.2191C">1969JMP....10.2191C</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1063%2F1.1664820">10.1063/1.1664820</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-37">^</a></b> <cite>Aref, Hassan (1979-03-01). <a href="https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.862605">"Motion of three vortices"</a>. <i>The Physics of Fluids</i>. <b>22</b> (3): 393–400. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1979PhFl...22..393A">1979PhFl...22..393A</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1063%2F1.862605">10.1063/1.862605</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/0031-9171">0031-9171</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a></b> <cite>Aref, Hassan; Pomphrey, Neil (1980-08-18). <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0375-9601%2880%2990375-8">"Integrable and chaotic motions of four vortices"</a>. <i>Physics Letters A</i>. <b>78</b> (4): 297–300. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1980PhLA...78..297A">1980PhLA...78..297A</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016%2F0375-9601%2880%2990375-8">10.1016/0375-9601(80)90375-8</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/0375-9601">0375-9601</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-39">^</a></b> <cite>Neufeld, Z; Tél, T (1997-03-21). <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0305-4470/30/6/043">"The vortex dynamics analogue of the restricted three-body problem: advection in the field of three identical point vortices"</a>. <i>Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General</i>. <b>30</b> (6): 2263–2280. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1997JPhA...30.2263N">1997JPhA...30.2263N</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1088%2F0305-4470%2F30%2F6%2F043">10.1088/0305-4470/30/6/043</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/0305-4470">0305-4470</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-40">^</a></b> <cite>Musielak, Z. E.; Quarles, B. (2014). "The three-body problem". <i>Reports on Progress in Physics</i>. <b>77</b> (6): 065901. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/1508.02312">1508.02312</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014RPPh...77f5901M">2014RPPh...77f5901M</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1088%2F0034-4885%2F77%2F6%2F065901">10.1088/0034-4885/77/6/065901</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)">ISSN</a> <a href="//www.worldcat.org/issn/0034-4885">0034-4885</a>. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)">PMID</a> <a href="//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24913140">24913140</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:38140668">38140668</a>.</cite>
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-41">^</a></b> <a href="/wiki/Florin_Diacu">Florin Diacu</a>. <a href="http://www.math.uvic.ca/faculty/diacu/diacuNbody.pdf">"The Solution of the <i>n</i>-body Problem"</a>, <i><a href="/wiki/The_Mathematical_Intelligencer">The Mathematical Intelligencer</a></i>, 1996.
</li>
<li><b><a href="#cite_ref-42">^</a></b> <cite>Qin, Amy (November 10, 2014). <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/books/liu-cixins-the-three-body-problem-is-published-in-us.html">"In a Topsy-Turvy World, China Warms to Sci-Fi"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_New_York_Times">The New York Times</a></i>. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191209034122/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/books/liu-cixins-the-three-body-problem-is-published-in-us.html">Archived</a> from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2020.</cite>
</li>
</ol></div>
<h2>Further reading[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=13">edit</a>]</h2>
<div>
<ul><li><cite>Aarseth, S. J. (2003). <i>Gravitational n-Body Simulations</i>. New York: Cambridge University Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-43272-6"><bdi>978-0-521-43272-6</bdi></a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Bagla, J. S. (2005). "Cosmological N-body simulation: Techniques, scope and status". <i><a href="/wiki/Current_Science">Current Science</a></i>. <b>88</b>: 1088–1100. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0411043">astro-ph/0411043</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005CSci...88.1088B">2005CSci...88.1088B</a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Chambers, J. E.; Wetherill, G. W. (1998). "Making the Terrestrial Planets: N-Body Integrations of Planetary Embryos in Three Dimensions". <i><a href="/wiki/Icarus_(journal)">Icarus</a></i>. <b>136</b> (2): 304–327. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1998Icar..136..304C">1998Icar..136..304C</a>. <a href="/wiki/CiteSeerX_(identifier)">CiteSeerX</a> <a href="//citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.64.7797">10.1.1.64.7797</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1006%2Ficar.1998.6007">10.1006/icar.1998.6007</a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Efstathiou, G.; Davis, M.; White, S. D. M.; Frenk, C. S. (1985). "Numerical techniques for large cosmological N-body simulations". <i><a href="/wiki/Astrophysical_Journal">Astrophysical Journal</a></i>. <b>57</b>: 241–260. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1985ApJS...57..241E">1985ApJS...57..241E</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1086%2F191003">10.1086/191003</a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Hulkower, Neal D. (1978). <a href="https://doi.org/10.1512%2Fiumj.1978.27.27030">"The Zero Energy Three Body Problem"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Indiana_University_Mathematics_Journal">Indiana University Mathematics Journal</a></i>. <b>27</b> (3): 409–447. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1978IUMJ...27..409H">1978IUMJ...27..409H</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1512%2Fiumj.1978.27.27030">10.1512/iumj.1978.27.27030</a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Hulkower, Neal D. (1980). "Central Configurations and Hyperbolic-Elliptic Motion in the Three-Body Problem". <i><a href="/wiki/Celestial_Mechanics_(journal)">Celestial Mechanics</a></i>. <b>21</b> (1): 37–41. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1980CeMec..21...37H">1980CeMec..21...37H</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007%2FBF01230244">10.1007/BF01230244</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:123404551">123404551</a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (2014). "On the stability of the three classes of Newtonian three-body planar periodic orbits". <i><a href="/wiki/Science_China_Physics,_Mechanics_%26_Astronomy">Science China Physics, Mechanics &amp; Astronomy</a></i>. <b>57</b> (11): 2121–2126. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/1312.6796">1312.6796</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014SCPMA..57.2121L">2014SCPMA..57.2121L</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs11433-014-5563-5">10.1007/s11433-014-5563-5</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:73682020">73682020</a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Moore, Cristopher (1993). <a href="http://tuvalu.santafe.edu/~moore/braids-prl.pdf">"Braids in Classical Dynamics"</a> (PDF). <i>Physical Review Letters</i>. <b>70</b> (24): 3675–3679. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993PhRvL..70.3675M">1993PhRvL..70.3675M</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1103%2FPhysRevLett.70.3675">10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.3675</a>. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)">PMID</a> <a href="//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10053934">10053934</a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Poincaré, H. (1967). <a href="https://archive.org/details/newmethodsofcele0000poin"><i>New Methods of Celestial Mechanics</i></a> (3 vol. English translated ed.). American Institute of Physics. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-56396-117-5"><bdi>978-1-56396-117-5</bdi></a>.</cite></li>
<li><cite>Šuvakov, Milovan; Dmitrašinović, V. (2013). "Three Classes of Newtonian Three-Body Planar Periodic Orbits". <i><a href="/wiki/Physical_Review_Letters">Physical Review Letters</a></i>. <b>110</b> (10): 114301. <a href="/wiki/ArXiv_(identifier)">arXiv</a>:<a href="//arxiv.org/abs/1303.0181">1303.0181</a>. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013PhRvL.110k4301S">2013PhRvL.110k4301S</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1103%2FPhysRevLett.110.114301">10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.114301</a>. <a href="/wiki/PMID_(identifier)">PMID</a> <a href="//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25166541">25166541</a>. <a href="/wiki/S2CID_(identifier)">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:118554305">118554305</a>.</cite></li></ul>
</div>
<h2>External links[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&amp;action=edit&amp;section=14">edit</a>]</h2>
<ul><li><cite>Chenciner, Alain (2007). <a href="https://doi.org/10.4249%2Fscholarpedia.2111">"Three body problem"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Scholarpedia">Scholarpedia</a></i>. <b>2</b> (10): 2111. <a href="/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007SchpJ...2.2111C">2007SchpJ...2.2111C</a>. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.4249%2Fscholarpedia.2111">10.4249/scholarpedia.2111</a>.</cite></li>
<li><a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/physicists-discover-whopping-13-new-solutions-three-body-problem">Physicists Discover a Whopping 13 New Solutions to Three-Body Problem</a> (<i>Science</i>)</li>
<li><a href="https://3body.hk/">3body simulator</a> - an example of a computer program that solves the three-body problem numerically</li></ul>
</div>||||I|||| Jump to content
 Toggle sidebar
 Search
 * Create account
 Personal tools
 * Create account
 * Log in

 Pages for logged out editors learn more

 * Talk
 * Contributions
 Navigation
 * Main page
 * Contents
 * Current events
 * Random article
 * About Wikipedia
 * Contact us
 * Donate
 Contribute
 * Help
 * Learn to edit
 * Community portal
 * Recent changes
 * Upload file
 Tools
 * What links here
 * Related changes
 * Upload file
 * Special pages
 * Permanent link
 * Page information
 * Cite this page
 * Wikidata item
 Print/export
 * Download as PDF
 * Printable version
 In other projects
 * Wikimedia Commons
 Languages
 On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Go to top.

 Contents

 move to sidebar hide
 * (Top)
 * 1 Mathematical description
 + 1.1 Restricted three-body problem
 * 2 Solutions
 + 2.1 General solution
 + 2.2 Special-case solutions
 + 2.3 Numerical approaches
 * 3 History
 * 4 Other problems involving three bodies
 * 5 n -body problem
 * 6 In popular culture
 * 7 See also
 * 8 References
 * 9 Further reading
 * 10 External links
 Toggle the table of contents

 Three-body problem

 37 languages
 * العربية
 * Беларуская
 * Български
 * Català
 * Чӑвашла
 * Čeština
 * Dansk
 * Deutsch
 * Eesti
 * Español
 * فارسی
 * 한국어
 * हिन्दी
 * Hrvatski
 * Italiano
 * עברית
 * Lëtzebuergesch
 * Lietuvių
 * Magyar
 * Bahasa Melayu
 * Nederlands
 * 日本語
 * Norsk bokmål
 * Norsk nynorsk
 * Piemontèis
 * Português
 * Română
 * Русский
 * Simple English
 * Slovenčina
 * Српски / srpski
 * Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски
 * Suomi
 * Svenska
 * Українська
 * 吴语
 * 中文
 Edit links
 * Article
 * Talk
 English
 * Read
 * Edit
 * View history
 More
 * Read
 * Edit
 * View history
 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 This article is about the physics and classical mechanics theory. For the Chinese science fiction novel by Liu Cixin, see The Three-Body Problem (novel). For other uses, see Three-body problem (disambiguation).
 Approximate trajectories of three identical bodies located at the vertices of a scalene triangle and having zero initial velocities. It is seen that the center of mass, in accordance with the law of conservation of momentum, remains in place.

 In physics and classical mechanics, the three-body problem is the problem of taking the initial positions and velocities (or momenta) of three point masses and solving for their subsequent motion according to Newton's laws of motion and Newton's law of universal gravitation.[1] The three-body problem is a special case of the n -body problem. Unlike two-body problems, no general closed-form solution exists,[1] as the resulting dynamical system is chaotic for most initial conditions, and numerical methods are generally required.

 Historically, the first specific three-body problem to receive extended study was the one involving the Moon, Earth, and the Sun.[2] In an extended modern sense, a three-body problem is any problem in classical mechanics or quantum mechanics that models the motion of three particles.

 Mathematical description [ edit ]

 The mathematical statement of the three-body problem can be given in terms of the Newtonian equations of motion for vector positions of three gravitationally interacting bodies with masses :

 where is the gravitational constant.[3][4] This is a set of nine second-order differential equations. The problem can also be stated equivalently in the Hamiltonian formalism, in which case it is described by a set of 18 first-order differential equations, one for each component of the positions and momenta :

 where is the Hamiltonian:

 In this case is simply the total energy of the system, gravitational plus kinetic.

 Restricted three-body problem [ edit ]

 The circular restricted three-body problem is a valid approximation of elliptical orbits found in the Solar System, and this can be visualized as a combination of the potentials due to the gravity of the two primary bodies along with the centrifugal effect from their rotation (Coriolis effects are dynamic and not shown). The Lagrange points can then be seen as the five places where the gradient on the resultant surface is zero (shown as blue lines), indicating that the forces are in balance there.

 In the restricted three-body problem,[3] a body of negligible mass (the "planetoid") moves under the influence of two massive bodies. Having negligible mass, the force that the planetoid exerts on the two massive bodies may be neglected, and the system can be analysed and can therefore be described in terms of a two-body motion. Usually this two-body motion is taken to consist of circular orbits around the center of mass, and the planetoid is assumed to move in the plane defined by the circular orbits.

 The restricted three-body problem is easier to analyze theoretically than the full problem. It is of practical interest as well since it accurately describes many real-world problems, the most important example being the Earth–Moon–Sun system. For these reasons, it has occupied an important role in the historical development of the three-body problem.

 Mathematically, the problem is stated as follows. Let be the masses of the two massive bodies, with (planar) coordinates and , and let be the coordinates of the planetoid. For simplicity, choose units such that the distance between the two massive bodies, as well as the gravitational constant, are both equal to . Then, the motion of the planetoid is given by

 where . In this form the equations of motion carry an explicit time dependence through the coordinates . However, this time dependence can be removed through a transformation to a rotating reference frame, which simplifies any subsequent analysis.

 Solutions [ edit ]

 General solution [ edit ]

 While a system of 3 bodies interacting gravitationally is chaotic, a system of 3 bodies interacting elastically isn't.

 There is no general closed-form solution to the three-body problem,[1] meaning there is no general solution that can be expressed in terms of a finite number of standard mathematical operations. Moreover, the motion of three bodies is generally non-repeating, except in special cases.[5]

 However, in 1912 the Finnish mathematician Karl Fritiof Sundman proved that there exists an analytic solution to the three-body problem in the form of a power series in terms of powers of t1/3.[6] This series converges for all real t , except for initial conditions corresponding to zero angular momentum. In practice, the latter restriction is insignificant since initial conditions with zero angular momentum are rare, having Lebesgue measure zero.

 An important issue in proving this result is the fact that the radius of convergence for this series is determined by the distance to the nearest singularity. Therefore, it is necessary to study the possible singularities of the three-body problems. As will be briefly discussed below, the only singularities in the three-body problem are binary collisions (collisions between two particles at an instant) and triple collisions (collisions between three particles at an instant).

 Collisions, whether binary or triple (in fact, any number), are somewhat improbable, since it has been shown that they correspond to a set of initial conditions of measure zero. However, there is no criterion known to be put on the initial state in order to avoid collisions for the corresponding solution. So Sundman's strategy consisted of the following steps:

 1. Using an appropriate change of variables to continue analyzing the solution beyond the binary collision, in a process known as regularization.
 2. Proving that triple collisions only occur when the angular momentum L vanishes. By restricting the initial data to L ≠ 0, he removed all real singularities from the transformed equations for the three-body problem.
 3. Showing that if L ≠ 0, then not only can there be no triple collision, but the system is strictly bounded away from a triple collision. This implies, by using Cauchy's existence theorem for differential equations, that there are no complex singularities in a strip (depending on the value of L) in the complex plane centered around the real axis (shades of Kovalevskaya).
 4. Find a conformal transformation that maps this strip into the unit disc. For example, if s = t1/3 (the new variable after the regularization) and if | ln s | ≤ β,[ clarification needed ] then this map is given by

 This finishes the proof of Sundman's theorem.

 The corresponding series, however, converges very slowly. That is, obtaining a value of meaningful precision requires so many terms that this solution is of little practical use. Indeed, in 1930, David Beloriszky calculated that if Sundman's series were to be used for astronomical observations, then the computations would involve at least 10 8 000 000 terms.[7]

 Special-case solutions [ edit ]

 In 1767, Leonhard Euler found three families of periodic solutions in which the three masses are collinear at each instant. See Euler's three-body problem.

 In 1772, Lagrange found a family of solutions in which the three masses form an equilateral triangle at each instant. Together with Euler's collinear solutions, these solutions form the central configurations for the three-body problem. These solutions are valid for any mass ratios, and the masses move on Keplerian ellipses. These four families are the only known solutions for which there are explicit analytic formulae. In the special case of the circular restricted three-body problem, these solutions, viewed in a frame rotating with the primaries, become points which are referred to as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5, and called Lagrangian points, with L4 and L5 being symmetric instances of Lagrange's solution.

 In work summarized in 1892–1899, Henri Poincaré established the existence of an infinite number of periodic solutions to the restricted three-body problem, together with techniques for continuing these solutions into the general three-body problem.

 In 1893, Meissel stated what is now called the Pythagorean three-body problem: three masses in the ratio 3:4:5 are placed at rest at the vertices of a 3:4:5 right triangle. Burrau[8] further investigated this problem in 1913. In 1967 Victor Szebehely and C. Frederick Peters established eventual escape for this problem using numerical integration, while at the same time finding a nearby periodic solution.[9]

 In the 1970s, Michel Hénon and Roger A. Broucke each found a set of solutions that form part of the same family of solutions: the Broucke–Henon–Hadjidemetriou family. In this family the three objects all have the same mass and can exhibit both retrograde and direct forms. In some of Broucke's solutions two of the bodies follow the same path.[10]

 An animation of the figure-8 solution to the three-body problem over a single period T ≃ 6.3259.[11]

 In 1993, a zero angular momentum solution with three equal masses moving around a figure-eight shape was discovered numerically by physicist Cris Moore at the Santa Fe Institute.[12] Its formal existence was later proved in 2000 by mathematicians Alain Chenciner and Richard Montgomery.[13][14] The solution has been shown numerically to be stable for small perturbations of the mass and orbital parameters, which makes it possible that such orbits could be observed in the physical universe. However, it has been argued that this occurrence is unlikely since the domain of stability is small. For instance, the probability of a binary–binary scattering event[ clarification needed ] resulting in a figure-8 orbit has been estimated to be a small fraction of a percent.[15]

 In 2013, physicists Milovan Šuvakov and Veljko Dmitrašinović at the Institute of Physics in Belgrade discovered 13 new families of solutions for the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem.[5][10]

 In 2015, physicist Ana Hudomal discovered 14 new families of solutions for the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem.[16]

 In 2017, researchers Xiaoming Li and Shijun Liao found 669 new periodic orbits of the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem.[17] This was followed in 2018 by an additional 1223 new solutions for a zero-angular-momentum system of unequal masses.[18]

 In 2018, Li and Liao reported 234 solutions to the unequal-mass "free-fall" three body problem.[19] The free fall formulation of the three body problem starts with all three bodies at rest. Because of this, the masses in a free-fall configuration do not orbit in a closed "loop", but travel forwards and backwards along an open "track".

 Numerical approaches [ edit ]

 Using a computer, the problem may be solved to arbitrarily high precision using numerical integration although high precision requires a large amount of CPU time. There have been attempts of creating computer programs that numerically solve the three-body problem (and by extension, the n-body problem) involving both electromagnetic and gravitational interactions, and incorporating modern theories of physics such as special relativity.[20] In addition, using the theory of random walks, the probability of different outcomes may be computed.[21][22]

 History [ edit ]

 The gravitational problem of three bodies in its traditional sense dates in substance from 1687, when Isaac Newton published his Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, when Newton was trying to figure out if any long term stability is possible, especially the system of our Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. He was guided under the major Renaissance astronomers Nicolaus Copernicus, Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler to the beginning of the gravitational three-body problem.[23] In Proposition 66 of Book 1 of the Principia, and its 22 Corollaries, Newton took the first steps in the definition and study of the problem of the movements of three massive bodies subject to their mutually perturbing gravitational attractions. In Propositions 25 to 35 of Book 3, Newton also took the first steps in applying his results of Proposition 66 to the lunar theory, the motion of the Moon under the gravitational influence of Earth and the Sun.[24] Later, this problem was also applied to other planets' interactions with the Earth and the Sun.[23]

 The physical problem was firstly addressed by Amerigo Vespucci and subsequently by Galileo Galilei, as well as Simon Stevin, but they did not realize what they contributed. Though Galileo determined that the speed of fall of all bodies changes uniformly and in the same way, he did not apply it to planetary motions.[23] Whereas in 1499, Vespucci used knowledge of the position of the Moon to determine his position in Brazil.[25] It became of technical importance in the 1720s, as an accurate solution would be applicable to navigation, specifically for the determination of longitude at sea, solved in practice by John Harrison's invention of the marine chronometer. However the accuracy of the lunar theory was low, due to the perturbing effect of the Sun and planets on the motion of the Moon around Earth.

 Jean le Rond d'Alembert and Alexis Clairaut, who developed a longstanding rivalry, both attempted to analyze the problem in some degree of generality; they submitted their competing first analyses to the Académie Royale des Sciences in 1747.[26] It was in connection with their research, in Paris during the 1740s, that the name "three-body problem" (French: Problème des trois Corps) began to be commonly used. An account published in 1761 by Jean le Rond d'Alembert indicates that the name was first used in 1747.[27]

 From the end of the 19th century to early 20th century, the approach to solve the three-body problem with the usage of short-range attractive two-body forces was developed by scientists, which offered P.F. Bedaque, H.-W. Hammer and U. van Kolck an idea to renormalize the short-range three-body problem, providing scientists a rare example of a renormalization group limit cycle at the beginning of the 21st century.[28] George William Hill worked on the restricted problem in the late 19th century with an application of motion of Venus and Mercury.[29]

 At the beginning of the 20th century, Karl Sundman approached the problem mathematically and systematically by providing a function theoretical proof to the problem valid for all values of time. It was the first time scientists theoretically solved three-body problem. However, because there was not enough qualitative solution of this system, and it was too slow for scientists to practically apply it, this solution still left some issues unresolved.[30] In the 1970s, implication to three-body from two-body forces has been discovered by V. Efimov which was named as Efimov Effect.[31]

 In 2017, Shijun Liao and Xiaoming Li applied a new strategy of numerical simulation for chaotic systems called the clean numerical simulation (CNS), with the use of a national supercomputer, to successfully gain 695 families of periodic solutions of the three-body system with equal mass.[32]

 In 2019, Breen et al. announced a fast neural network solver for the three-body problem, trained using a numerical integrator.[33]

 Other problems involving three bodies [ edit ]

 The term "three-body problem" is sometimes used in the more general sense to refer to any physical problem involving the interaction of three bodies.

 A quantum-mechanical analogue of the gravitational three-body problem in classical mechanics is the helium atom, in which a helium nucleus and two electrons interact according to the inverse-square Coulomb interaction. Like the gravitational three-body problem, the helium atom cannot be solved exactly.[34]

 In both classical and quantum mechanics, however, there exist nontrivial interaction laws besides the inverse-square force which do lead to exact analytic three-body solutions. One such model consists of a combination of harmonic attraction and a repulsive inverse-cube force.[35] This model is considered nontrivial since it is associated with a set of nonlinear differential equations containing singularities (compared with, e.g., harmonic interactions alone, which lead to an easily solved system of linear differential equations). In these two respects it is analogous to (insoluble) models having Coulomb interactions, and as a result has been suggested as a tool for intuitively understanding physical systems like the helium atom.[35][36]

 Within the point vortex model, the motion of vortices in a two-dimensional ideal fluid is described by equations of motion that contain only first-order time derivatives. I.e. in contrast to Newtonian mechanics, it is the velocity and not the acceleration that is determined by their relative positions. As a consequence, the three-vortex problem is still integrable,[37] while at least four vortices are required to obtain chaotic behavior.[38] One can draw parallels between the motion of a passive tracer particle in the velocity field of three vortices and the restricted three-body problem of Newtonian mechanics.[39]

 The gravitational three-body problem has also been studied using general relativity. Physically, a relativistic treatment becomes necessary in systems with very strong gravitational fields, such as near the event horizon of a black hole. However, the relativistic problem is considerably more difficult than in Newtonian mechanics, and sophisticated numerical techniques are required. Even the full two-body problem (i.e. for arbitrary ratio of masses) does not have a rigorous analytic solution in general relativity.[40]

 n -body problem [ edit ]

 The three-body problem is a special case of the n -body problem, which describes how n objects move under one of the physical forces, such as gravity. These problems have a global analytical solution in the form of a convergent power series, as was proven by Karl F. Sundman for n = 3 and by Qiudong Wang for n > 3 (see n -body problem for details). However, the Sundman and Wang series converge so slowly that they are useless for practical purposes;[41] therefore, it is currently necessary to approximate solutions by numerical analysis in the form of numerical integration or, for some cases, classical trigonometric series approximations (see n -body simulation). Atomic systems, e.g. atoms, ions, and molecules, can be treated in terms of the quantum n -body problem. Among classical physical systems, the n -body problem usually refers to a galaxy or to a cluster of galaxies; planetary systems, such as stars, planets, and their satellites, can also be treated as n -body systems. Some applications are conveniently treated by perturbation theory, in which the system is considered as a two-body problem plus additional forces causing deviations from a hypothetical unperturbed two-body trajectory.

 In popular culture [ edit ]

 In the classic 1951 science-fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still, the alien Klaatu, using the pseudonym Mr. Carpenter, makes some annotations to equations on Prof. Barnhardt's blackboard. Those equations are an accurate description of a particular form of the three-body problem.

 The first volume of Chinese author Liu Cixin's Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy is titled The Three-Body Problem and features the three-body problem as a central plot device.[42]

 See also [ edit ]

 * Mathematics portal
 * Physics portal
 * Few-body systems
 * Galaxy formation and evolution
 * Gravity assist
 * Lagrange point
 * Low-energy transfer
 * Michael Minovitch
 * n -body simulation
 * Symplectic integrator
 * Sitnikov problem
 * Triple star system

 References [ edit ]

 1. ^ a b c Barrow-Green, June (2008), "The Three-Body Problem", in Gowers, Timothy; Barrow-Green, June; Leader, Imre (eds.), The Princeton Companion to Mathematics, Princeton University Press, pp. 726–728
 2. ^ "Historical Notes: Three-Body Problem" . Retrieved 19 July 2017 .
 3. ^ a b Barrow-Green, June (1997). Poincaré and the Three Body Problem. American Mathematical Society. pp. 8–12. Bibcode:1997ptbp.book.....B. ISBN 978-0-8218-0367-7.
 4. ^ "The Three-Body Problem" (PDF) .
 5. ^ a b Cartwright, Jon (8 March 2013). "Physicists Discover a Whopping 13 New Solutions to Three-Body Problem". Science Now . Retrieved 2013-04-04 .
 6. ^ Barrow-Green, J. (2010). The dramatic episode of Sundman , Historia Mathematica 37, pp. 164–203.
 7. ^ Beloriszky, D. (1930). "Application pratique des méthodes de M. Sundman à un cas particulier du problème des trois corps". Bulletin Astronomique. Série 2. 6: 417–434. Bibcode:1930BuAst...6..417B.
 8. ^ Burrau (1913). "Numerische Berechnung eines Spezialfalles des Dreikörperproblems". Astronomische Nachrichten. 195 (6): 113–118. Bibcode:1913AN....195..113B. doi:10.1002/asna.19131950602.
 9. ^ Victor Szebehely; C. Frederick Peters (1967). "Complete Solution of a General Problem of Three Bodies". Astronomical Journal. 72: 876. Bibcode:1967AJ.....72..876S. doi:10.1086/110355.
 10. ^ a b Šuvakov, M.; Dmitrašinović, V. "Three-body Gallery" . Retrieved 12 August 2015 .
 11. ^ Here the gravitational constant G has been set to 1, and the initial conditions are r1 (0) = − r3 (0) = (−0.97000436, 0.24308753); r2 (0) = (0,0); v1 (0) = v3 (0) = (0.4662036850, 0.4323657300); v2 (0) = (−0.93240737, −0.86473146). The values are obtained from Chenciner & Montgomery (2000).
 12. ^ Moore, Cristopher (1993), "Braids in classical dynamics" (PDF) , Physical Review Letters, 70 (24): 3675–3679, Bibcode:1993PhRvL..70.3675M, doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.3675, PMID 10053934
 13. ^ Chenciner, Alain; Montgomery, Richard (2000). "A remarkable periodic solution of the three-body problem in the case of equal masses". Annals of Mathematics. Second Series. 152 (3): 881–902. arXiv:math/0011268. Bibcode:2000math.....11268C. doi:10.2307/2661357. JSTOR 2661357. S2CID 10024592.
 14. ^ Montgomery, Richard (2001), "A new solution to the three-body problem" (PDF) , Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 48: 471–481
 15. ^ Heggie, Douglas C. (2000), "A new outcome of binary–binary scattering", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 318 (4): L61–L63, arXiv:astro-ph/9604016, Bibcode:2000MNRAS.318L..61H, doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.04027.x
 16. ^ Hudomal, Ana (October 2015). "New periodic solutions to the three-body problem and gravitational waves" (PDF) . Master of Science Thesis at the Faculty of Physics, Belgrade University . Retrieved 5 February 2019 .
 17. ^ Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (December 2017). "More than six hundreds new families of Newtonian periodic planar collisionless three-body orbits". Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy. 60 (12): 129511. arXiv:1705.00527. Bibcode:2017SCPMA..60l9511L. doi:10.1007/s11433-017-9078-5. ISSN 1674-7348. S2CID 84838204.
 18. ^ Li, Xiaoming; Jing, Yipeng; Liao, Shijun (13 September 2017). "The 1223 new periodic orbits of planar three-body problem with unequal mass and zero angular momentum". arXiv:1709.04775. doi:10.1093/pasj/psy057. {{cite journal}} : Cite journal requires |journal= ( help )
 19. ^ Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (2019). "Collisionless periodic orbits in the free-fall three-body problem". New Astronomy. 70: 22–26. arXiv:1805.07980. Bibcode:2019NewA...70...22L. doi:10.1016/j.newast.2019.01.003. S2CID 89615142.
 20. ^ "3body simulator". 3body simulator . Retrieved 2022-11-17 .
 21. ^ Technion (6 October 2021). "A Centuries-Old Physics Mystery? Solved". SciTechDaily. SciTech . Retrieved 12 October 2021 .
 22. ^ Ginat, Yonadav Barry; Perets, Hagai B. (23 July 2021). "Analytical, Statistical Approximate Solution of Dissipative and Nondissipative Binary-Single Stellar Encounters". Physical Review. 11 (3): 031020. arXiv:2011.00010. Bibcode:2021PhRvX..11c1020G. doi:10.1103/PhysRevX.11.031020. S2CID 235485570 . Retrieved 12 October 2021 .
 23. ^ a b c Valtonen, Mauri (3 May 2016). The Three-body Problem from Pythagoras to Hawking. ISBN 978-3-319-22726-9. OCLC 1171227640.
 24. ^ Newton, Isaac. "Philosophiæ naturalis principia mathematica". Rare & Special e-Zone. doi:10.14711/spcol/b706487 . Retrieved 2022-10-05 .
 25. ^ "Amerigo Vespucci". Biography . Retrieved 2022-10-05 .
 26. ^ The 1747 memoirs of both parties can be read in the volume of Histoires (including Mémoires ) of the Académie Royale des Sciences for 1745 (belatedly published in Paris in 1749) (in French): Clairaut: "On the System of the World, according to the principles of Universal Gravitation" (at pp. 329–364); and d'Alembert: "General method for determining the orbits and the movements of all the planets, taking into account their mutual actions" (at pp. 365–390).The peculiar dating is explained by a note printed on page 390 of the "Memoirs" section: "Even though the preceding memoirs, of Messrs. Clairaut and d'Alembert, were only read during the course of 1747, it was judged appropriate to publish them in the volume for this year" (i.e. the volume otherwise dedicated to the proceedings of 1745, but published in 1749).
 27. ^ Jean le Rond d'Alembert , in a paper of 1761 reviewing the mathematical history of the problem, mentions that Euler had given a method for integrating a certain differential equation "in 1740 (seven years before there was question of the Problem of Three Bodies)": see d'Alembert, "Opuscules Mathématiques", vol. 2, Paris 1761, Quatorzième Mémoire ("Réflexions sur le Problème des trois Corps, avec de Nouvelles Tables de la Lune ...") pp. 329–312, at sec. VI, p. 245.
 28. ^ Mohr, R.F.; Furnstahl, R.J.; Hammer, H.-W.; Perry, R.J.; Wilson, K.G. (January 2006). "Precise numerical results for limit cycles in the quantum three-body problem". Annals of Physics. 321 (1): 225–259. arXiv:nucl-th/0509076. Bibcode:2006AnPhy.321..225M. doi:10.1016/j.aop.2005.10.002. ISSN 0003-4916. S2CID 119073191.
 29. ^ "Coplanar Motion of Two Planets, One Having a Zero Mass" . Annals of Mathematics , Vol. III, pp. 65–73, 1887.
 30. ^ Barrow-Green, June (1996-10-29). Poincaré and the Three Body Problem. History of Mathematics. Vol. 11. Providence, Rhode Island: American Mathematical Society. doi:10.1090/hmath/011. ISBN 978-0-8218-0367-7.
 31. ^ Efimov, V. (1970-12-21). "Energy levels arising from resonant two-body forces in a three-body system". Physics Letters B. 33 (8): 563–564. Bibcode:1970PhLB...33..563E. doi:10.1016/0370-2693(70)90349-7. ISSN 0370-2693.
 32. ^ Liao, Shijun; Li, Xiaoming (2019-11-01). "On the periodic solutions of the three-body problem". National Science Review. 6 (6): 1070–1071. doi:10.1093/nsr/nwz102. ISSN 2095-5138. PMC 8291409. PMID 34691975.
 33. ^ Breen, Philip G.; Foley, Christopher N.; Boekholt, Tjarda; Portegies Zwart, Simon (2020). "Newton versus the machine: Solving the chaotic three-body problem using deep neural networks". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 494 (2): 2465–2470. arXiv:1910.07291. doi:10.1093/mnras/staa713. S2CID 204734498.
 34. ^ Griffiths, David J. (2004). Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. p. 311. ISBN 978-0-13-111892-8. OCLC 40251748.
 35. ^ a b Crandall, R.; Whitnell, R.; Bettega, R. (1984). "Exactly soluble two-electron atomic model". American Journal of Physics. 52 (5): 438–442. Bibcode:1984AmJPh..52..438C. doi:10.1119/1.13650.
 36. ^ Calogero, F. (1969). "Solution of a Three-Body Problem in One Dimension". Journal of Mathematical Physics. 10 (12): 2191–2196. Bibcode:1969JMP....10.2191C. doi:10.1063/1.1664820.
 37. ^ Aref, Hassan (1979-03-01). "Motion of three vortices". The Physics of Fluids. 22 (3): 393–400. Bibcode:1979PhFl...22..393A. doi:10.1063/1.862605. ISSN 0031-9171.
 38. ^ Aref, Hassan; Pomphrey, Neil (1980-08-18). "Integrable and chaotic motions of four vortices". Physics Letters A. 78 (4): 297–300. Bibcode:1980PhLA...78..297A. doi:10.1016/0375-9601(80)90375-8. ISSN 0375-9601.
 39. ^ Neufeld, Z; Tél, T (1997-03-21). "The vortex dynamics analogue of the restricted three-body problem: advection in the field of three identical point vortices". Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General. 30 (6): 2263–2280. Bibcode:1997JPhA...30.2263N. doi:10.1088/0305-4470/30/6/043. ISSN 0305-4470.
 40. ^ Musielak, Z. E.; Quarles, B. (2014). "The three-body problem". Reports on Progress in Physics. 77 (6): 065901. arXiv:1508.02312. Bibcode:2014RPPh...77f5901M. doi:10.1088/0034-4885/77/6/065901. ISSN 0034-4885. PMID 24913140. S2CID 38140668.
 41. ^ Florin Diacu . "The Solution of the n-body Problem" , The Mathematical Intelligencer , 1996.
 42. ^ Qin, Amy (November 10, 2014). "In a Topsy-Turvy World, China Warms to Sci-Fi". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019 . Retrieved February 5, 2020 .

 Further reading [ edit ]

 * Aarseth, S. J. (2003). Gravitational n-Body Simulations. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-43272-6.
 * Bagla, J. S. (2005). "Cosmological N-body simulation: Techniques, scope and status". Current Science. 88: 1088–1100. arXiv:astro-ph/0411043. Bibcode:2005CSci...88.1088B.
 * Chambers, J. E.; Wetherill, G. W. (1998). "Making the Terrestrial Planets: N-Body Integrations of Planetary Embryos in Three Dimensions". Icarus. 136 (2): 304–327. Bibcode:1998Icar..136..304C. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.64.7797. doi:10.1006/icar.1998.6007.
 * Efstathiou, G.; Davis, M.; White, S. D. M.; Frenk, C. S. (1985). "Numerical techniques for large cosmological N-body simulations". Astrophysical Journal. 57: 241–260. Bibcode:1985ApJS...57..241E. doi:10.1086/191003.
 * Hulkower, Neal D. (1978). "The Zero Energy Three Body Problem". Indiana University Mathematics Journal. 27 (3): 409–447. Bibcode:1978IUMJ...27..409H. doi:10.1512/iumj.1978.27.27030.
 * Hulkower, Neal D. (1980). "Central Configurations and Hyperbolic-Elliptic Motion in the Three-Body Problem". Celestial Mechanics. 21 (1): 37–41. Bibcode:1980CeMec..21...37H. doi:10.1007/BF01230244. S2CID 123404551.
 * Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (2014). "On the stability of the three classes of Newtonian three-body planar periodic orbits". Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy. 57 (11): 2121–2126. arXiv:1312.6796. Bibcode:2014SCPMA..57.2121L. doi:10.1007/s11433-014-5563-5. S2CID 73682020.
 * Moore, Cristopher (1993). "Braids in Classical Dynamics" (PDF) . Physical Review Letters. 70 (24): 3675–3679. Bibcode:1993PhRvL..70.3675M. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.3675. PMID 10053934.
 * Poincaré, H. (1967). New Methods of Celestial Mechanics (3 vol. English translated ed.). American Institute of Physics. ISBN 978-1-56396-117-5.
 * Šuvakov, Milovan; Dmitrašinović, V. (2013). "Three Classes of Newtonian Three-Body Planar Periodic Orbits". Physical Review Letters. 110 (10): 114301. arXiv:1303.0181. Bibcode:2013PhRvL.110k4301S. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.114301. PMID 25166541. S2CID 118554305.

 External links [ edit ]

 * Chenciner, Alain (2007). "Three body problem". Scholarpedia. 2 (10): 2111. Bibcode:2007SchpJ...2.2111C. doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.2111.
 * Physicists Discover a Whopping 13 New Solutions to Three-Body Problem (Science)
 * 3body simulator - an example of a computer program that solves the three-body problem numerically
 * v 
 * t 
 * e 
 Dynamical systems
  * Attractor 
  * Bifurcation 
  * Fractal 
 Core * Limit set 
  * Lyapunov exponent 
  * orbit 
  * Periodic point 
  * Phase space 
 * Anosov diffeomorphism 
 * Arnold tongue 
 * axiom A dynamical system 
 * Bifurcation diagram 
 * Box-counting dimension 
 * Correlation dimension 
 * Conservative system 
 * Ergodicity 
 * False nearest neighbors 
 Concepts * Hausdorff dimension 
 * Invariant measure 
 * Lyapunov stability 
 * Measure-preserving dynamical system 
 * Mixing  
 * Poincaré section 
 * Recurrence plot 
 * SRB measure 
 * Stable manifold 
 * Topological conjugacy 
  * Ergodic theorem 
  * Liouville's theorem 
  * Krylov–Bogolyubov theorem 
 Theorems * Poincaré–Bendixson theorem 
  * Poincaré recurrence theorem 
  * Stable manifold theorem 
  * Takens's theorem 
  
 * Bifurcation theory 
 * Chaos theory 
 * Control of chaos 
 Theoretical * Dynamical system 
 branches * Ergodic theory 
 * Quantum chaos 
 * Stability theory 
 * Synchronization of chaos 
 * Arnold's cat map 
 * Baker's map 
 * Complex quadratic map 
 * Coupled map lattice 
 * Duffing map 
 * Dyadic transformation 
 * Dynamical billiards 
 + outer 
 * Exponential map 
 * Gauss map 
 * Gingerbreadman map 
 Discrete * Hénon map 
 * Horseshoe map 
 * Ikeda map 
 * Interval exchange map 
 Chaotic * Irrational rotation 
 maps (list) * Kaplan–Yorke map 
 * Langton's ant 
 * Logistic map 
 * Standard map 
 * Tent map 
 * Tinkerbell map 
 * Zaslavskii map 
 * Double scroll attractor 
 * Duffing equation 
 * Lorenz system 
 * Lotka–Volterra equations 
 Continuous * Mackey–Glass equations 
 * Rabinovich–Fabrikant equations 
 * Rössler attractor 
 * Three-body problem 
 * Van der Pol oscillator 
  
 * Chua's circuit 
 * Convection 
 * Double pendulum 
 * Elastic pendulum 
 * FPUT problem 
 Physical * Hénon–Heiles_system 
 systems * Kicked rotator 
 * Multiscroll attractor 
 * Population dynamics 
 * Swinging Atwood's machine 
 * Tilt-A-Whirl 
 * Weather 
 * Michael Berry 
 * Rufus Bowen 
 * Mary Cartwright 
 * Chen Guanrong 
 * Leon O. Chua 
 * Mitchell Feigenbaum 
 * Peter Grassberger 
 * Celso Grebogi 
 * Martin Gutzwiller 
 * Brosl Hasslacher 
 * Michel Hénon 
 * Svetlana Jitomirskaya 
 * Bryna Kra 
 * Edward Norton Lorenz 
 * Aleksandr Lyapunov 
 Chaos * Benoît Mandelbrot 
 theorists * Hee Oh 
 * Edward Ott 
 * Henri Poincaré 
 * Mary Rees 
 * Otto Rössler 
 * David Ruelle 
 * Caroline Series 
 * Yakov Sinai 
 * Oleksandr Mykolayovych Sharkovsky 
 * Nina Snaith 
 * Floris Takens 
 * Audrey Terras 
 * Mary Tsingou 
 * Marcelo Viana 
 * Amie Wilkinson 
 * James A. Yorke 
 * Lai-Sang Young 
 * Butterfly effect 
 Related * Complexity 
 articles * Edge of chaos 
 * Predictability 
 * Santa Fe Institute 
 
 Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Three-body_problem&oldid=1135384080"
 Categories:
 * Chaotic maps
 * Classical mechanics
 * Dynamical systems
 * Mathematical physics
 * Orbits
 * Equations of astronomy
 Hidden categories:
 * CS1 errors: missing periodical
 * Articles with short description
 * Short description is different from Wikidata
 * Wikipedia articles needing clarification from December 2009
 * Wikipedia articles needing clarification from April 2020
 * Articles containing French-language text
 * This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 10:00 (UTC) .
 * Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.
 * Privacy policy
 * About Wikipedia
 * Disclaimers
 * Contact Wikipedia
 * Mobile view
 * Developers
 * Statistics
 * Cookie statement
 * 
 * 
Approximate trajectories of three identical bodies located at the vertices of a scalene triangle and having zero initial velocities. It is seen that the center of mass, in accordance with the law of conservation of momentum, remains in place.  
In physics and classical mechanics, the three-body problem is the problem of taking the initial positions and velocities (or momenta) of three point masses and solving for their subsequent motion according to Newton's laws of motion and Newton's law of universal gravitation. [1]  The three-body problem is a special case of the n-body problem. Unlike two-body problems, no general closed-form solution exists, [1]  as the resulting dynamical system is chaotic for most initial conditions, and numerical methods are generally required.
 Historically, the first specific three-body problem to receive extended study was the one involving the Moon, Earth, and the Sun. [2]  In an extended modern sense, a three-body problem is any problem in classical mechanics or quantum mechanics that models the motion of three particles.
Mathematical description[edit]
The mathematical statement of the three-body problem can be given in terms of the Newtonian equations of motion for vector positions of three gravitationally interacting bodies with masses :
   
where is the gravitational constant. [3]   [4]  This is a set of nine second-order differential equations. The problem can also be stated equivalently in the Hamiltonian formalism, in which case it is described by a set of 18 first-order differential equations, one for each component of the positions and momenta :
   
where is the Hamiltonian:
   
In this case is simply the total energy of the system, gravitational plus kinetic.
Restricted three-body problem[edit]
      The circular restricted three-body problem is a valid approximation of elliptical orbits found in the Solar System, and this can be visualized as a combination of the potentials due to the gravity of the two primary bodies along with the centrifugal effect from their rotation (Coriolis effects are dynamic and not shown). The Lagrange points can then be seen as the five places where the gradient on the resultant surface is zero (shown as blue lines), indicating that the forces are in balance there.  
In the restricted three-body problem, [3]  a body of negligible mass (the "planetoid") moves under the influence of two massive bodies. Having negligible mass, the force that the planetoid exerts on the two massive bodies may be neglected, and the system can be analysed and can therefore be described in terms of a two-body motion. Usually this two-body motion is taken to consist of circular orbits around the center of mass, and the planetoid is assumed to move in the plane defined by the circular orbits.
 The restricted three-body problem is easier to analyze theoretically than the full problem. It is of practical interest as well since it accurately describes many real-world problems, the most important example being the Earth–Moon–Sun system. For these reasons, it has occupied an important role in the historical development of the three-body problem.
 Mathematically, the problem is stated as follows. Let be the masses of the two massive bodies, with (planar) coordinates and , and let be the coordinates of the planetoid. For simplicity, choose units such that the distance between the two massive bodies, as well as the gravitational constant, are both equal to . Then, the motion of the planetoid is given by
   
where . In this form the equations of motion carry an explicit time dependence through the coordinates . However, this time dependence can be removed through a transformation to a rotating reference frame, which simplifies any subsequent analysis.
Solutions[edit]
General solution[edit]
      While a system of 3 bodies interacting gravitationally is chaotic, a system of 3 bodies interacting elastically isn't.  
There is no general closed-form solution to the three-body problem, [1]  meaning there is no general solution that can be expressed in terms of a finite number of standard mathematical operations. Moreover, the motion of three bodies is generally non-repeating, except in special cases. [5] 
 However, in 1912 the Finnish mathematician Karl Fritiof Sundman proved that there exists an analytic solution to the three-body problem in the form of a power series in terms of powers of t 1/3. [6]  This series converges for all real t, except for initial conditions corresponding to zero angular momentum. In practice, the latter restriction is insignificant since initial conditions with zero angular momentum are rare, having Lebesgue measure zero.
 An important issue in proving this result is the fact that the radius of convergence for this series is determined by the distance to the nearest singularity. Therefore, it is necessary to study the possible singularities of the three-body problems. As will be briefly discussed below, the only singularities in the three-body problem are binary collisions (collisions between two particles at an instant) and triple collisions (collisions between three particles at an instant).
 Collisions, whether binary or triple (in fact, any number), are somewhat improbable, since it has been shown that they correspond to a set of initial conditions of measure zero. However, there is no criterion known to be put on the initial state in order to avoid collisions for the corresponding solution. So Sundman's strategy consisted of the following steps:
 Using an appropriate change of variables to continue analyzing the solution beyond the binary collision, in a process known as regularization.
Proving that triple collisions only occur when the angular momentum L vanishes. By restricting the initial data to L ≠ 0, he removed all real singularities from the transformed equations for the three-body problem.
Showing that if L ≠ 0, then not only can there be no triple collision, but the system is strictly bounded away from a triple collision. This implies, by using Cauchy's existence theorem for differential equations, that there are no complex singularities in a strip (depending on the value of L) in the complex plane centered around the real axis (shades of Kovalevskaya).
Find a conformal transformation that maps this strip into the unit disc. For example, if s = t 1/3 (the new variable after the regularization) and if |ln s| ≤ β,[ clarification needed ] then this map is given by      
This finishes the proof of Sundman's theorem.
 The corresponding series, however, converges very slowly. That is, obtaining a value of meaningful precision requires so many terms that this solution is of little practical use. Indeed, in 1930, David Beloriszky calculated that if Sundman's series were to be used for astronomical observations, then the computations would involve at least 108000000 terms. [7] 
Special-case solutions[edit]
In 1767, Leonhard Euler found three families of periodic solutions in which the three masses are collinear at each instant. See Euler's three-body problem.
 In 1772, Lagrange found a family of solutions in which the three masses form an equilateral triangle at each instant. Together with Euler's collinear solutions, these solutions form the central configurations for the three-body problem. These solutions are valid for any mass ratios, and the masses move on Keplerian ellipses. These four families are the only known solutions for which there are explicit analytic formulae. In the special case of the circular restricted three-body problem, these solutions, viewed in a frame rotating with the primaries, become points which are referred to as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5, and called Lagrangian points, with L4 and L5 being symmetric instances of Lagrange's solution.
 In work summarized in 1892–1899, Henri Poincaré established the existence of an infinite number of periodic solutions to the restricted three-body problem, together with techniques for continuing these solutions into the general three-body problem.
 In 1893, Meissel stated what is now called the Pythagorean three-body problem: three masses in the ratio 3:4:5 are placed at rest at the vertices of a 3:4:5 right triangle. Burrau [8]  further investigated this problem in 1913. In 1967 Victor Szebehely and C. Frederick Peters established eventual escape for this problem using numerical integration, while at the same time finding a nearby periodic solution. [9] 
 In the 1970s, Michel Hénon and Roger A. Broucke each found a set of solutions that form part of the same family of solutions: the Broucke–Henon–Hadjidemetriou family. In this family the three objects all have the same mass and can exhibit both retrograde and direct forms. In some of Broucke's solutions two of the bodies follow the same path. [10] 
      An animation of the figure-8 solution to the three-body problem over a single period T ≃ 6.3259. [11]    
In 1993, a zero angular momentum solution with three equal masses moving around a figure-eight shape was discovered numerically by physicist Cris Moore at the Santa Fe Institute. [12]  Its formal existence was later proved in 2000 by mathematicians Alain Chenciner and Richard Montgomery. [13]   [14]  The solution has been shown numerically to be stable for small perturbations of the mass and orbital parameters, which makes it possible that such orbits could be observed in the physical universe. However, it has been argued that this occurrence is unlikely since the domain of stability is small. For instance, the probability of a binary–binary scattering event[ clarification needed ] resulting in a figure-8 orbit has been estimated to be a small fraction of a percent. [15] 
 In 2013, physicists Milovan Šuvakov and Veljko Dmitrašinović at the Institute of Physics in Belgrade discovered 13 new families of solutions for the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem. [5]   [10] 
 In 2015, physicist Ana Hudomal discovered 14 new families of solutions for the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem. [16] 
 In 2017, researchers Xiaoming Li and Shijun Liao found 669 new periodic orbits of the equal-mass zero-angular-momentum three-body problem. [17]  This was followed in 2018 by an additional 1223 new solutions for a zero-angular-momentum system of unequal masses. [18] 
 In 2018, Li and Liao reported 234 solutions to the unequal-mass "free-fall" three body problem. [19]  The free fall formulation of the three body problem starts with all three bodies at rest. Because of this, the masses in a free-fall configuration do not orbit in a closed "loop", but travel forwards and backwards along an open "track".
Numerical approaches[edit]
Using a computer, the problem may be solved to arbitrarily high precision using numerical integration although high precision requires a large amount of CPU time. There have been attempts of creating computer programs that numerically solve the three-body problem (and by extension, the n-body problem) involving both electromagnetic and gravitational interactions, and incorporating modern theories of physics such as special relativity. [20]  In addition, using the theory of random walks, the probability of different outcomes may be computed. [21]   [22] 
History[edit]
The gravitational problem of three bodies in its traditional sense dates in substance from 1687, when Isaac Newton published his  Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, when Newton was trying to figure out if any long term stability is possible, especially the system of our Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. He was guided under the major Renaissance astronomers Nicolaus Copernicus, Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler to the beginning of the gravitational three-body problem. [23]  In Proposition 66 of Book 1 of the Principia, and its 22 Corollaries, Newton took the first steps in the definition and study of the problem of the movements of three massive bodies subject to their mutually perturbing gravitational attractions. In Propositions 25 to 35 of Book 3, Newton also took the first steps in applying his results of Proposition 66 to the lunar theory, the motion of the Moon under the gravitational influence of Earth and the Sun. [24]  Later, this problem was also applied to other planets' interactions with the Earth and the Sun. [23] 
 The physical problem was firstly addressed by Amerigo Vespucci and subsequently by Galileo Galilei, as well as Simon Stevin, but they did not realize what they contributed. Though Galileo determined that the speed of fall of all bodies changes uniformly and in the same way, he did not apply it to planetary motions. [23]  Whereas in 1499, Vespucci used knowledge of the position of the Moon to determine his position in Brazil. [25]  It became of technical importance in the 1720s, as an accurate solution would be applicable to navigation, specifically for the determination of longitude at sea, solved in practice by John Harrison's invention of the marine chronometer. However the accuracy of the lunar theory was low, due to the perturbing effect of the Sun and planets on the motion of the Moon around Earth.
  Jean le Rond d'Alembert and Alexis Clairaut, who developed a longstanding rivalry, both attempted to analyze the problem in some degree of generality; they submitted their competing first analyses to the Académie Royale des Sciences in 1747. [26]  It was in connection with their research, in Paris during the 1740s, that the name "three-body problem" (French: Problème des trois Corps) began to be commonly used. An account published in 1761 by Jean le Rond d'Alembert indicates that the name was first used in 1747. [27] 
 From the end of the 19th century to early 20th century, the approach to solve the three-body problem with the usage of short-range attractive two-body forces was developed by scientists, which offered P.F. Bedaque, H.-W. Hammer and U. van Kolck an idea to renormalize the short-range three-body problem, providing scientists a rare example of a renormalization group limit cycle at the beginning of the 21st century. [28]  George William Hill worked on the restricted problem in the late 19th century with an application of motion of Venus and Mercury. [29] 
 At the beginning of the 20th century, Karl Sundman approached the problem mathematically and systematically by providing a function theoretical proof to the problem valid for all values of time. It was the first time scientists theoretically solved three-body problem. However, because there was not enough qualitative solution of this system, and it was too slow for scientists to practically apply it, this solution still left some issues unresolved. [30]  In the 1970s, implication to three-body from two-body forces has been discovered by V. Efimov which was named as Efimov Effect. [31] 
 In 2017, Shijun Liao and Xiaoming Li applied a new strategy of numerical simulation for chaotic systems called the clean numerical simulation (CNS), with the use of a national supercomputer, to successfully gain 695 families of periodic solutions of the three-body system with equal mass. [32] 
 In 2019, Breen et al. announced a fast neural network solver for the three-body problem, trained using a numerical integrator. [33] 
Other problems involving three bodies[edit]
The term "three-body problem" is sometimes used in the more general sense to refer to any physical problem involving the interaction of three bodies.
 A quantum-mechanical analogue of the gravitational three-body problem in classical mechanics is the helium atom,
in which a helium nucleus and two electrons interact according to the inverse-square Coulomb interaction. Like the
gravitational three-body problem, the helium atom cannot be solved exactly. [34] 
 In both classical and quantum mechanics, however, there exist nontrivial interaction laws besides the inverse-square force which
do lead to exact analytic three-body solutions. One such model consists of a combination of harmonic attraction and a repulsive inverse-cube force. [35]  This model is considered nontrivial since it is associated with a set of nonlinear differential equations containing singularities (compared with, e.g., harmonic interactions alone, which lead to an easily solved system of linear differential equations). In these two respects it is analogous to (insoluble) models having Coulomb interactions, and as a result has been suggested as a tool for intuitively understanding physical systems like the helium atom. [35]   [36] 
 Within the point vortex model, the motion of vortices in a two-dimensional ideal fluid is described by equations of motion that contain only first-order time derivatives. I.e. in contrast to Newtonian mechanics, it is the velocity and not the acceleration that is determined by their relative positions. As a consequence, the three-vortex problem is still integrable, [37]  while at least four vortices are required to obtain chaotic behavior. [38]  One can draw parallels between the motion of a passive tracer particle in the velocity field of three vortices and the restricted three-body problem of Newtonian mechanics. [39] 
 The gravitational three-body problem has also been studied using general relativity. Physically, a relativistic treatment becomes necessary in systems with very strong gravitational fields, such as near the event horizon of a black hole. However, the relativistic problem is considerably more difficult than in Newtonian mechanics, and sophisticated numerical techniques are required.
Even the full two-body problem (i.e. for arbitrary ratio of masses) does not have a rigorous analytic solution in general relativity. [40] 
n-body problem[edit]
The three-body problem is a special case of the n-body problem, which describes how n objects move under one of the physical forces, such as gravity. These problems have a global analytical solution in the form of a convergent power series, as was proven by Karl F. Sundman for n = 3 and by Qiudong Wang for n &gt; 3 (see n-body problem for details). However, the Sundman and Wang series converge so slowly that they are useless for practical purposes; [41]  therefore, it is currently necessary to approximate solutions by numerical analysis in the form of numerical integration or, for some cases, classical trigonometric series approximations (see n-body simulation). Atomic systems, e.g. atoms, ions, and molecules, can be treated in terms of the quantum n-body problem. Among classical physical systems, the n-body problem usually refers to a galaxy or to a cluster of galaxies; planetary systems, such as stars, planets, and their satellites, can also be treated as n-body systems. Some applications are conveniently treated by perturbation theory, in which the system is considered as a two-body problem plus additional forces causing deviations from a hypothetical unperturbed two-body trajectory.
In popular culture[edit]
In the classic 1951 science-fiction film  The Day the Earth Stood Still , the alien Klaatu, using the pseudonym Mr. Carpenter, makes some annotations to equations on Prof. Barnhardt's blackboard. Those equations are an accurate description of a particular form of the three-body problem.
 The first volume of Chinese author Liu Cixin's  Remembrance of Earth's Past  trilogy is titled  The Three-Body Problem  and features the three-body problem as a central plot device. [42] 
See also[edit]
  Few-body systems 
 Galaxy formation and evolution 
 Gravity assist 
 Lagrange point 
 Low-energy transfer 
 Michael Minovitch 
 n-body simulation 
 Symplectic integrator 
 Sitnikov problem 
 Triple star system  
References[edit]
^    a       b       c    Barrow-Green, June (2008), "The Three-Body Problem", in Gowers, Timothy; Barrow-Green, June; Leader, Imre (eds.), The Princeton Companion to Mathematics, Princeton University Press, pp. 726–728
  ^   "Historical Notes: Three-Body Problem". Retrieved 19 July 2017.
^    a       b    Barrow-Green, June (1997).  Poincaré and the Three Body Problem . American Mathematical Society. pp. 8–12. Bibcode:1997ptbp.book.....B. ISBN  978-0-8218-0367-7 .
  ^   "The Three-Body Problem" (PDF).
^    a       b    Cartwright, Jon (8 March 2013). "Physicists Discover a Whopping 13 New Solutions to Three-Body Problem". Science Now. Retrieved 2013-04-04.
  ^  Barrow-Green, J. (2010). The dramatic episode of Sundman, Historia Mathematica 37, pp. 164–203.
  ^  Beloriszky, D. (1930). "Application pratique des méthodes de M. Sundman à un cas particulier du problème des trois corps". Bulletin Astronomique. Série 2. 6: 417–434. Bibcode:1930BuAst...6..417B.
  ^  Burrau (1913). "Numerische Berechnung eines Spezialfalles des Dreikörperproblems". Astronomische Nachrichten. 195 (6): 113–118. Bibcode:1913AN....195..113B. doi:10.1002/asna.19131950602.
  ^  Victor Szebehely; C. Frederick Peters (1967). "Complete Solution of a General Problem of Three Bodies". Astronomical Journal. 72: 876. Bibcode:1967AJ.....72..876S. doi:10.1086/110355.
^    a       b    Šuvakov, M.; Dmitrašinović, V. "Three-body Gallery". Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  ^  Here the gravitational constant G has been set to 1, and the initial conditions are r 1(0) = −r 3(0) = (−0.97000436, 0.24308753); r 2(0) = (0,0); v 1(0) = v 3(0) = (0.4662036850, 0.4323657300); v 2(0) = (−0.93240737, −0.86473146). The values are obtained from Chenciner &amp; Montgomery (2000).
  ^  Moore, Cristopher (1993), "Braids in classical dynamics" (PDF), Physical Review Letters, 70 (24): 3675–3679, Bibcode:1993PhRvL..70.3675M, doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.3675, PMID 10053934 
  ^  Chenciner, Alain; Montgomery, Richard (2000). "A remarkable periodic solution of the three-body problem in the case of equal masses". Annals of Mathematics. Second Series. 152 (3): 881–902. arXiv:math/0011268. Bibcode:2000math.....11268C. doi:10.2307/2661357. JSTOR 2661357. S2CID 10024592.
  ^  Montgomery, Richard (2001), "A new solution to the three-body problem" (PDF), Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 48: 471–481
  ^  Heggie, Douglas C. (2000), "A new outcome of binary–binary scattering", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 318 (4): L61–L63, arXiv:astro-ph/9604016, Bibcode:2000MNRAS.318L..61H, doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.04027.x 
  ^  Hudomal, Ana (October 2015). "New periodic solutions to the three-body problem and gravitational waves" (PDF). Master of Science Thesis at the Faculty of Physics, Belgrade University. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  ^  Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (December 2017). "More than six hundreds new families of Newtonian periodic planar collisionless three-body orbits". Science China Physics, Mechanics &amp; Astronomy. 60 (12): 129511. arXiv:1705.00527. Bibcode:2017SCPMA..60l9511L. doi:10.1007/s11433-017-9078-5. ISSN 1674-7348. S2CID 84838204.
  ^  Li, Xiaoming; Jing, Yipeng; Liao, Shijun (13 September 2017). "The 1223 new periodic orbits of planar three-body problem with unequal mass and zero angular momentum". arXiv:1709.04775. doi:10.1093/pasj/psy057. 
  ^  Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (2019). "Collisionless periodic orbits in the free-fall three-body problem". New Astronomy. 70: 22–26. arXiv:1805.07980. Bibcode:2019NewA...70...22L. doi:10.1016/j.newast.2019.01.003. S2CID 89615142.
  ^   "3body simulator". 3body simulator. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  ^  Technion (6 October 2021). "A Centuries-Old Physics Mystery? Solved". SciTechDaily. SciTech. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  ^  Ginat, Yonadav Barry; Perets, Hagai B. (23 July 2021). "Analytical, Statistical Approximate Solution of Dissipative and Nondissipative Binary-Single Stellar Encounters".  Physical Review . 11 (3): 031020. arXiv:2011.00010. Bibcode:2021PhRvX..11c1020G. doi:10.1103/PhysRevX.11.031020. S2CID 235485570. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
^    a       b       c    Valtonen, Mauri (3 May 2016).  The Three-body Problem from Pythagoras to Hawking . ISBN  978-3-319-22726-9 . OCLC 1171227640.
  ^  Newton, Isaac. "Philosophiæ naturalis principia mathematica". Rare &amp; Special e-Zone. doi:10.14711/spcol/b706487. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  ^   "Amerigo Vespucci". Biography. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  ^  The 1747 memoirs of both parties can be read in the volume of Histoires (including Mémoires) of the Académie Royale des Sciences for 1745 (belatedly published in Paris in 1749) (in French):
 Clairaut: "On the System of the World, according to the principles of Universal Gravitation" (at pp. 329–364); and
d'Alembert: "General method for determining the orbits and the movements of all the planets, taking into account their mutual actions" (at pp. 365–390).The peculiar dating is explained by a note printed on page 390 of the "Memoirs" section: "Even though the preceding memoirs, of Messrs. Clairaut and d'Alembert, were only read during the course of 1747, it was judged appropriate to publish them in the volume for this year" (i.e. the volume otherwise dedicated to the proceedings of 1745, but published in 1749). 
  ^  Jean le Rond d'Alembert, in a paper of 1761 reviewing the mathematical history of the problem, mentions that Euler had given a method for integrating a certain differential equation "in 1740 (seven years before there was question of the Problem of Three Bodies)": see d'Alembert, "Opuscules Mathématiques", vol. 2, Paris 1761, Quatorzième Mémoire ("Réflexions sur le Problème des trois Corps, avec de Nouvelles Tables de la Lune ...") pp. 329–312, at sec. VI, p. 245.
  ^  Mohr, R.F.; Furnstahl, R.J.; Hammer, H.-W.; Perry, R.J.; Wilson, K.G. (January 2006). "Precise numerical results for limit cycles in the quantum three-body problem". Annals of Physics. 321 (1): 225–259. arXiv:nucl-th/0509076. Bibcode:2006AnPhy.321..225M. doi:10.1016/j.aop.2005.10.002. ISSN 0003-4916. S2CID 119073191.
  ^  "Coplanar Motion of Two Planets, One Having a Zero Mass". Annals of Mathematics, Vol. III, pp. 65–73, 1887.
  ^  Barrow-Green, June (1996-10-29).  Poincaré and the Three Body Problem . History of Mathematics. Vol. 11. Providence, Rhode Island: American Mathematical Society. doi:10.1090/hmath/011. ISBN  978-0-8218-0367-7 .
  ^  Efimov, V. (1970-12-21). "Energy levels arising from resonant two-body forces in a three-body system". Physics Letters B. 33 (8): 563–564. Bibcode:1970PhLB...33..563E. doi:10.1016/0370-2693(70)90349-7. ISSN 0370-2693.
  ^  Liao, Shijun; Li, Xiaoming (2019-11-01). "On the periodic solutions of the three-body problem". National Science Review. 6 (6): 1070–1071. doi:10.1093/nsr/nwz102. ISSN 2095-5138. PMC 8291409. PMID 34691975.
  ^  Breen, Philip G.; Foley, Christopher N.; Boekholt, Tjarda; Portegies Zwart, Simon (2020). "Newton versus the machine: Solving the chaotic three-body problem using deep neural networks". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 494 (2): 2465–2470. arXiv:1910.07291. doi:10.1093/mnras/staa713. S2CID 204734498.
  ^  Griffiths, David J. (2004). Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall. p. 311. ISBN  978-0-13-111892-8 . OCLC 40251748.
^    a       b    Crandall, R.; Whitnell, R.; Bettega, R. (1984). "Exactly soluble two-electron atomic model". American Journal of Physics. 52 (5): 438–442. Bibcode:1984AmJPh..52..438C. doi:10.1119/1.13650.
  ^  Calogero, F. (1969). "Solution of a Three-Body Problem in One Dimension". Journal of Mathematical Physics. 10 (12): 2191–2196. Bibcode:1969JMP....10.2191C. doi:10.1063/1.1664820.
  ^  Aref, Hassan (1979-03-01). "Motion of three vortices". The Physics of Fluids. 22 (3): 393–400. Bibcode:1979PhFl...22..393A. doi:10.1063/1.862605. ISSN 0031-9171.
  ^  Aref, Hassan; Pomphrey, Neil (1980-08-18). "Integrable and chaotic motions of four vortices". Physics Letters A. 78 (4): 297–300. Bibcode:1980PhLA...78..297A. doi:10.1016/0375-9601(80)90375-8. ISSN 0375-9601.
  ^  Neufeld, Z; Tél, T (1997-03-21). "The vortex dynamics analogue of the restricted three-body problem: advection in the field of three identical point vortices". Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General. 30 (6): 2263–2280. Bibcode:1997JPhA...30.2263N. doi:10.1088/0305-4470/30/6/043. ISSN 0305-4470.
  ^  Musielak, Z. E.; Quarles, B. (2014). "The three-body problem". Reports on Progress in Physics. 77 (6): 065901. arXiv:1508.02312. Bibcode:2014RPPh...77f5901M. doi:10.1088/0034-4885/77/6/065901. ISSN 0034-4885. PMID 24913140. S2CID 38140668.
  ^  Florin Diacu. "The Solution of the n-body Problem",  The Mathematical Intelligencer , 1996.
  ^  Qin, Amy (November 10, 2014). "In a Topsy-Turvy World, China Warms to Sci-Fi".  The New York Times . Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
 
Further reading[edit]
  Aarseth, S. J. (2003). Gravitational n-Body Simulations. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN  978-0-521-43272-6 . 
 Bagla, J. S. (2005). "Cosmological N-body simulation: Techniques, scope and status".  Current Science . 88: 1088–1100. arXiv:astro-ph/0411043. Bibcode:2005CSci...88.1088B. 
 Chambers, J. E.; Wetherill, G. W. (1998). "Making the Terrestrial Planets: N-Body Integrations of Planetary Embryos in Three Dimensions".  Icarus . 136 (2): 304–327. Bibcode:1998Icar..136..304C. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.64.7797. doi:10.1006/icar.1998.6007. 
 Efstathiou, G.; Davis, M.; White, S. D. M.; Frenk, C. S. (1985). "Numerical techniques for large cosmological N-body simulations".  Astrophysical Journal . 57: 241–260. Bibcode:1985ApJS...57..241E. doi:10.1086/191003. 
 Hulkower, Neal D. (1978). "The Zero Energy Three Body Problem".  Indiana University Mathematics Journal . 27 (3): 409–447. Bibcode:1978IUMJ...27..409H. doi:10.1512/iumj.1978.27.27030. 
 Hulkower, Neal D. (1980). "Central Configurations and Hyperbolic-Elliptic Motion in the Three-Body Problem".  Celestial Mechanics . 21 (1): 37–41. Bibcode:1980CeMec..21...37H. doi:10.1007/BF01230244. S2CID 123404551. 
 Li, Xiaoming; Liao, Shijun (2014). "On the stability of the three classes of Newtonian three-body planar periodic orbits".  Science China Physics, Mechanics &amp; Astronomy . 57 (11): 2121–2126. arXiv:1312.6796. Bibcode:2014SCPMA..57.2121L. doi:10.1007/s11433-014-5563-5. S2CID 73682020. 
 Moore, Cristopher (1993). "Braids in Classical Dynamics" (PDF). Physical Review Letters. 70 (24): 3675–3679. Bibcode:1993PhRvL..70.3675M. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.70.3675. PMID 10053934. 
 Poincaré, H. (1967).  New Methods of Celestial Mechanics  (3 vol. English translated ed.). American Institute of Physics. ISBN  978-1-56396-117-5 . 
 Šuvakov, Milovan; Dmitrašinović, V. (2013). "Three Classes of Newtonian Three-Body Planar Periodic Orbits".  Physical Review Letters . 110 (10): 114301. arXiv:1303.0181. Bibcode:2013PhRvL.110k4301S. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.114301. PMID 25166541. S2CID 118554305.  
External links[edit]
  Chenciner, Alain (2007). "Three body problem".  Scholarpedia . 2 (10): 2111. Bibcode:2007SchpJ...2.2111C. doi:10.4249/scholarpedia.2111. 
 Physicists Discover a Whopping 13 New Solutions to Three-Body Problem (Science)
 3body simulator - an example of a computer program that solves the three-body problem numerically
Three-body problem - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-body_problem
https://www.britannica.com/science/three-body-problem
Three-body problem | Definition, Cases, & Facts
2024-04-25
The Editors
<div><div>
<section><p><strong>three-body problem</strong>, in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/astronomy">astronomy</a>, the problem of determining the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/motion-mechanics">motion</a> of three <a href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/celestial">celestial</a> bodies moving under no influence other than that of their mutual <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/gravity-physics">gravitation</a>. No general solution of this problem (or the more general problem involving more than three bodies) is possible, as the motion of the bodies quickly becomes <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/chaos-theory">chaotic</a>.</p><p>As practically attacked, it consists of the problem of determining the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/perturbation-astronomy">perturbations</a> (disturbances) in the motion of one of the bodies around the principal, or central, body that are produced by the attraction of the third. Examples are the motion of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Moon">Moon</a> around <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Earth">Earth</a>, as disturbed by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/action-physics">action</a> of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Sun">Sun</a>, and of one <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/planet">planet</a> around the Sun, as disturbed by the action of another planet. The problem can be solved for some special cases—for example, those in which the mass of one body, as a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/spacecraft">spacecraft</a>, can be considered infinitely small; the Lagrangian case, in which the three bodies form an equilateral triangle; and the Eulerian case, in which two bodies are motionless.</p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/quiz/physics-and-natural-law">
<div>
<p>Britannica Quiz</p>
<p>Physics and Natural Law</p>
</div>
</a></section> <p></p></div></div>||||I|||| Search Britannica Click here to search
 Search Britannica Click here to search
 Login
 Subscribe Now
 Subscribe
 * Home
 * Games & Quizzes
 * History & Society
 * Science & Tech
 * Biographies
 * Animals & Nature
 * Geography & Travel
 * Arts & Culture
 * Money
 * Videos
 * On This Day
 * One Good Fact
 * Dictionary
 * New Articles
 History & Society
 * Lifestyles & Social Issues
 * Philosophy & Religion
 * Politics, Law & Government
 * World History
 Science & Tech
 * Health & Medicine
 * Science
 * Technology
 Biographies
 * Browse Biographies
 Animals & Nature
 * Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
 * Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
 * Environment
 * Fossils & Geologic Time
 * Mammals
 * Plants
 Geography & Travel
 * Geography & Travel
 Arts & Culture
 * Entertainment & Pop Culture
 * Literature
 * Sports & Recreation
 * Visual Arts
 * Companions
 * Demystified
 * Image Galleries
 * Infographics
 * Lists
 * Podcasts
 * Spotlights
 * Summaries
 * The Forum
 * Top Questions
 * #WTFact
 * 100 Women
 * Britannica Kids
 * Saving Earth
 * Space Next 50
 * Student Center
 Home Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
 three-body problem
 Table of Contents
 Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
 Images
 Quizzes
 Physics and Natural Law
 Related Questions
 * How is astronomy different from cosmology?
 Read Next
 Where Did the Moon Come From?
 How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?
 9 Celestial Omens
 9 Britannica Articles That Explain the Meaning of Life
 6 Questions About the Sun Answered
 Discover
 A Timeline of Environmental History
 Can Apple Seeds Kill You?
 Timeline of the Titanic’s Final Hours
 12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”
 The Death of Shakespeare
 How Many Countries Are There in the World?
 All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained
 Contents
 Home Science Astronomy

 three-body problem

 physics
 Actions
 Cite
 verifiedCite
 While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
 Select Citation Style
 MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style
 Copy Citation
 Share
 Share
 Share to social media
 Facebook Twitter
 URL
 https://www.britannica.com/science/three-body-problem
 Give Feedback
 External Websites
 Feedback
 Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
 Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other
 Your Feedback Submit Feedback
 Thank you for your feedback

 Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

 External Websites
 * Louisiana State University - Department of Physics and Astronomy - The Three-Body Problem
 * Academia - The Three-Body Problem
 * Physics LibreTexts - The Three-Body Problem
 * The New York Times - What the 3 Body Problem Means for Nuclear War
 * University of Connecticut - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Department of Physics - Three Body Problem
 Print Cite
 verifiedCite
 While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
 Select Citation Style
 MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style
 Copy Citation
 Share
 Share
 Share to social media
 Facebook Twitter
 URL
 https://www.britannica.com/science/three-body-problem
 Feedback
 External Websites
 Feedback
 Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
 Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other
 Your Feedback Submit Feedback
 Thank you for your feedback

 Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

 External Websites
 * Louisiana State University - Department of Physics and Astronomy - The Three-Body Problem
 * Academia - The Three-Body Problem
 * Physics LibreTexts - The Three-Body Problem
 * The New York Times - What the 3 Body Problem Means for Nuclear War
 * University of Connecticut - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Department of Physics - Three Body Problem
 Written and fact-checked by
 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
 Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
 Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024 • Article History
 Table of Contents
 figure-eight solution to the three-body problem
 See all media
 Key People: Leonhard Euler Paul Painlevé Tullio Levi-Civita (Show more)
 Related Topics: space motion n-body problem (Show more)
 On the Web: University of Connecticut - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Department of Physics - Three Body Problem (Apr. 25, 2024) (Show more)
 See all related content →

 three-body problem, in astronomy, the problem of determining the motion of three celestial bodies moving under no influence other than that of their mutual gravitation. No general solution of this problem (or the more general problem involving more than three bodies) is possible, as the motion of the bodies quickly becomes chaotic.

 As practically attacked, it consists of the problem of determining the perturbations (disturbances) in the motion of one of the bodies around the principal, or central, body that are produced by the attraction of the third. Examples are the motion of the Moon around Earth, as disturbed by the action of the Sun, and of one planet around the Sun, as disturbed by the action of another planet. The problem can be solved for some special cases—for example, those in which the mass of one body, as a spacecraft, can be considered infinitely small; the Lagrangian case, in which the three bodies form an equilateral triangle; and the Eulerian case, in which two bodies are motionless.

 Britannica Quiz
 Physics and Natural Law
 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias .
three-body problem, in astronomy, the problem of determining the motion of three celestial bodies moving under no influence other than that of their mutual gravitation. No general solution of this problem (or the more general problem involving more than three bodies) is possible, as the motion of the bodies quickly becomes chaotic. As practically attacked, it consists of the problem of determining the perturbations (disturbances) in the motion of one of the bodies around the principal, or central, body that are produced by the attraction of the third. Examples are the motion of the Moon around Earth, as disturbed by the action of the Sun, and of one planet around the Sun, as disturbed by the action of another planet. The problem can be solved for some special cases—for example, those in which the mass of one body, as a spacecraft, can be considered infinitely small; the Lagrangian case, in which the three bodies form an equilateral triangle; and the Eulerian case, in which two bodies are motionless. 
Britannica Quiz
Physics and Natural Law
Three-body problem | Definition, Cases, & Facts
https://www.britannica.com/science/three-body-problem
https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/the-three-body-problem.html
The Three-Body Problem: When Is This Netflix Adaptation Coming To The Streamer?
2022-11-15
Rick Gonzales
<div><div>
<article>
<div>
 <p>The Three-Body Problem adaptation is coming to Netflix with Eiza Gonzalez and Benedict Wong in the lead roles.</p>
<figure></figure>
<p><a href="https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/topic/netflix">Netflix</a> is always in the market for something <a href="https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/robert-downey-jr-netflix-documentary.html">new and exciting</a>, whether it be a movie or possible series. They seem to have landed a big fish with <em>The Three</em>–<em>Body Problem</em>, a series that is based on the novel trilogy by Chinese writer Cixin Liu. The show is coming sooner than later and we have some idea of how the streamer plans to handle this one. Let’s take a look at everything we know about the series.</p>
<h3><strong>THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM</strong> <strong>IS A TRILOGY OF NOVELS BY CIXIN LIU </strong></h3>
<figure></figure>
<p>So, what exactly is <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> and who is Cixin Liu?</p>
<p><em>The Three-Body Problem</em> is just the first novel in the trilogy created by Cixin back in 2008, which finally saw the light of day in America with its English translation in 2014. Cixin followed up his best-selling novel with two more, <em>The Dark Forest</em>, which got its English translation in 2015, and <em>Death’s End</em>, which received its English translation in 2016.</p>
<p>Cixin Liu is a well-known Chinese author with a number of novels on his resume as well as many more works of short fiction. He has also won numerous awards for his work on the <em>Remembrance of Earth’s Past</em> trilogy (aka <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> trilogy) including a Hugo Award, a Locus Award, and an Arthur C. Clarke Award. Cixin is also a nine-time winner of China’s Galaxy Award.</p>
<h3><strong>THE NOVEL IS TOLD ACROSS DIFFERENT TIMELINES AND INCLUDES AN ALIEN INVASION </strong></h3>
<figure></figure>
<p>It is always tricky when studios attempt to turn a novel into a movie or TV series. Sometimes they hit but oftentimes they are major failures (<a href="https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/matthew-mcconaughey-governor.html">Hello</a>, <em>The Dark Tower</em>). Some stories need time to be told, hence the TV series route, and trying to speed them up to fit into a two-hour feature film many times spells disaster.</p>
<p>In bringing <em>The Three-Body Problem</em>, as well as the possibility of the other two novels, to the small screen, Netflix has the luxury of time. The world that Cixin has created is vast, the story layered, so a deep dive is what’s needed for this story.</p>
<p><em>The Three-Body Problem</em> tells its story in flash-forwards, flashbacks, and present time. The basic premise finds Earth waiting for an invasion from its closest star system, which in Cixin’s world consists of three solar-type stars orbiting in an unstable three-body system.</p>
<p><em>The Three-Body Problem</em> story within Cixin’s world is filled with politics, war, love, loss, and some nasty aliens. It is about Earth’s first human contact with alien life and the conflict that arises over the years. It is all ripe for an in-depth science fiction TV series.</p>
<h3><strong>THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM IS BEING MADE BY THE GAME OF THRONES SHOWRUNNERS</strong></h3>
<figure></figure>
<p>Producers, showrunners, and writers, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, are bringing <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> to Netflix. The duo is best known for the Emmy <a href="https://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones">Award-winning</a> series<em> <a href="https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/topic/game-of-thrones">Game of Thrones</a></em>. Based on their success with the hit series, Benioff and Weiss were able to grab a major deal with the streaming service. <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> represents their first project that came from that deal.</p>
<p><em>Game of Thrones</em> opened the door for many. It made stars out of numerous actors, shined more light on author <a href="https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/george-r-r-martin-winds.html">George R.R. Martin</a>, whose <em>A Song of Ice and Fire</em> novels were the basis of <em>GoT</em>. While <em>GoT</em> was a massive hit for HBO, fans felt a major sense of letdown throughout the series’ eighth and final season.</p>
<p>Many fans felt that Benioff and Weiss failed to deliver on Martin’s previous storylines while claiming the show began to decline when the pair ran out of source material. Regardless, the success of the show was a boon for Benioff and Weiss, as they were poached by Netflix for <em>The Three-Body Problem</em>. The streaming service lured them away from HBO will a $200 million carrot.</p>
<figure></figure>
<p>The deal is an overall film and TV deal, one that Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos was thrilled to announce. “We are thrilled to welcome master storytellers David Benioff and Dan Weiss to Netflix,” Sarandos said in a statement via <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-creators-close-200m-netflix-deal-1230119/">The Hollywood Reporter</a>. “They are a creative force and have delighted audiences worldwide with their epic storytelling. We can’t wait to see what their imaginations will bring to our members.” <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> will be part of that exciting deal.</p>
<p>Benioff and Weiss were just as pleased (they had 200 million reasons to be) but also were thankful for their HBO experience. “We’ve had a beautiful run with HBO for more than a decade and we’re grateful to everyone there for always making us feel at home,” they said in their joint statement through <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-creators-close-200m-netflix-deal-1230119/">The Hollywood Reporter</a>. </p>
<p>“Over the past few months we’ve spent many hours talking to Cindy Holland and Peter Friedlander, as well as Ted Sarandos and Scott Stuber. We remember the same shots from the same ’80s movies; we love the same books; we’re excited about the same storytelling possibilities. Netflix has built something astounding and unprecedented, and we’re honored they invited us to join them.”</p>
<h3><strong>RIAN JOHNSON AND ALEXANDER WOO ARE ALSO INVOLVED</strong></h3>
<figure></figure>
<p>Rian Johnson would be the first big name to jump out at fans. He is teaming up with his producing partner Ram Bergman to help bring <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> to Netflix. Alexander Woo is another big name. His producing credits include <em>The Terror: Infamy</em> and <em>True Blood</em>.</p>
<p>A key component on board is the author himself. Cixin Liu has joined the team as a consulting producer and with him, he brings Ken Liu, who wrote the English translation of both <em>The Three Body Problem</em> and <em>Death’s End</em>. Their involvement is sure to keep the story’s spirit close to the novels.</p>
<p>Cixin, in his own <a href="https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/three-body-problem-netflix-season-1-everything-we-know-so-far/">statement</a>, expressed gratitude and excitement for his partnership with Netflix as well as the creative team bringing his vision to life. He also spoke about how honored he was, as an author, to not only gain fans across the globe but to also show those who may not know <em>The Three-Body Problem </em>a new world for them to discover on Netflix.</p>
<p>Also included on the producer’s side are <a href="https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/plan-b-entertainment-brad-pitt-minari/">Plan B Entertainment</a>, which is Brad Pitt’s company as well as <a href="https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11991114/officers">Primitive Streak</a>, the company run by actress Rosamund Pike and Robie Uniacke.</p>
<h3><strong>EIZA GONZALEZ AND BENEDICT WONG WILL STAR IN THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM</strong></h3>
<figure></figure>
<p>As <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> was only recently announced, Benioff and Weiss are currently searching for stars. One star, also just recently announced, looks to have a big role in the series. </p>
<p>Eiza Gonzalez is the first actor attached to the project. We <a href="https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/exclusive-eiza-gonzalez-2.html">exclusively</a> broke that news here at Giant Freakin Robot before it was later confirmed by <a href="https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/eiza-gonzalez-netflix-scoop-confirmed.html">Deadline</a>. The Mexican actress and singer has been enjoying a rise to fame lately first with <em>Baby Driver</em>, then following that up with <em>Welcome to Marwen, Alita: Battle Angel, Fast &amp; Furious Presents: Hobbs &amp; Shaw, Bloodshot</em>, and <em>Godzilla vs. Kong</em>.</p>
<figure></figure>
<p>And recently, some other casting decisions were announced as well. Benedict Wong (<em>Doctor Strange</em>), Jovan Adepo <em>(Watchmen</em>), and Tsai Chin (<em>Shang-Chi</em>) were all added. And in a little nod to <em>Game of Thrones</em>, Liam Cunningham and John Bradley are on board as well. </p>
<h3><strong>THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM DOESN’T HAVE AN OFFICIAL PREMIERE</strong> <strong>DATE</strong></h3>
<p>Unfortunately, the project does not have a premiere date yet. As it is in the early stages, the first episode hasn’t even gone in front of the cameras. As more details emerge concerning <em>The Three-Body Problem</em>, Giant Freakin Robot will be here to pass it along.</p>
<h3><strong>THERE IS ANOTHER ADAPTATION HAPPENING JUST IN CHINA</strong></h3>
<p>While Netflix has presumably been hard at work on their much-ballyhooed adaptation of <em>The Three-Body Problem</em>, some issues have popped up. For starters, it turns out the American streaming giant is going to be competing with a parallel adaptation of Cixin Liu’s epic work. </p>
<p>Tencent, one of China’s largest streaming platform, has been <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/three-body-problem-first-trailer-tencent-netflix-1235108546/">developing</a> its own version of <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> and have already released a trailer for it. It will be directed by Leon Yang Lei and star Zhang Luyi, Yu Hewei, Chen Jin, and Wang Ziwen. Reportedly, filming began in 2020 and the initial expectation was for a release the next year. While details are a little scarce, it can be assumed the COVID-19 global pandemic interfered with the production and caused delays. Here’s the trailer:</p>
<figure><p>
</p></figure>
<p><br />This causes some issues for Netflix, as <em>The Three-Body Problem</em> is a beloved work in China and there is bound to be some cultural aggression in competing adaptations. The Netflix adaptation also ran into issues when Yoozoo chairman Lin Qi and Cixin Liu publicly supported the Chinese government’s treatment of its Uighur minority in Xinjiang. </p>
<p>United States <a href="https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/services/files/D8359E17-4931-41B8-9EE4-0DC874904A23">lawmakers</a> called on Netflix to stop the production, as they claimed it would tacitly support those actions. Then Lin fell seriously ill. He was rapidly hospitalized and died; Chinese law enforcement as of last reports were <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/29/asia/lin-qi-china-yoozoo-poisoning-intl-hnk/index.html">treating</a> it as a suspected poisoning.</p>
 
</div>
</article>
 </div>||||I|||| * 
 * Movies & TV
 + Coming Soon
 + Confirmed Exclusives
 + Franchises
 + Opinion
 + Netflix
 + Star Trek News
 + Star Wars News
 + Superhero News
 * Culture
 + Celebrity Videos
 * Games
 + Nintendo
 + Playstation
 + XBox
 * Science & Tech
 + Science News
 + Tech News
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT > Movies & TV

 The Three-Body Problem: When Is This Netflix Adaptation Coming To The Streamer?

 The Three-Body Problem adaptation is coming to Netflix with Eiza Gonzalez and Benedict Wong in the lead roles.

 By Rick Gonzales

 Netflix is always in the market for something new and exciting, whether it be a movie or possible series. They seem to have landed a big fish with The Three–Body Problem, a series that is based on the novel trilogy by Chinese writer Cixin Liu. The show is coming sooner than later and we have some idea of how the streamer plans to handle this one. Let’s take a look at everything we know about the series.

 THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM IS A TRILOGY OF NOVELS BY CIXIN LIU

 So, what exactly is The Three-Body Problem and who is Cixin Liu?

 The Three-Body Problem is just the first novel in the trilogy created by Cixin back in 2008, which finally saw the light of day in America with its English translation in 2014. Cixin followed up his best-selling novel with two more, The Dark Forest, which got its English translation in 2015, and Death’s End, which received its English translation in 2016.

 Cixin Liu is a well-known Chinese author with a number of novels on his resume as well as many more works of short fiction. He has also won numerous awards for his work on the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy (aka The Three-Body Problem trilogy) including a Hugo Award, a Locus Award, and an Arthur C. Clarke Award. Cixin is also a nine-time winner of China’s Galaxy Award.

 THE NOVEL IS TOLD ACROSS DIFFERENT TIMELINES AND INCLUDES AN ALIEN INVASION

 It is always tricky when studios attempt to turn a novel into a movie or TV series. Sometimes they hit but oftentimes they are major failures (Hello, The Dark Tower). Some stories need time to be told, hence the TV series route, and trying to speed them up to fit into a two-hour feature film many times spells disaster.

 In bringing The Three-Body Problem, as well as the possibility of the other two novels, to the small screen, Netflix has the luxury of time. The world that Cixin has created is vast, the story layered, so a deep dive is what’s needed for this story.

 The Three-Body Problem tells its story in flash-forwards, flashbacks, and present time. The basic premise finds Earth waiting for an invasion from its closest star system, which in Cixin’s world consists of three solar-type stars orbiting in an unstable three-body system.

 The Three-Body Problem story within Cixin’s world is filled with politics, war, love, loss, and some nasty aliens. It is about Earth’s first human contact with alien life and the conflict that arises over the years. It is all ripe for an in-depth science fiction TV series.

 THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM IS BEING MADE BY THE GAME OF THRONES SHOWRUNNERS

 Producers, showrunners, and writers, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, are bringing The Three-Body Problem to Netflix. The duo is best known for the Emmy Award-winning series Game of Thrones. Based on their success with the hit series, Benioff and Weiss were able to grab a major deal with the streaming service. The Three-Body Problem represents their first project that came from that deal.

 Game of Thrones opened the door for many. It made stars out of numerous actors, shined more light on author George R.R. Martin, whose A Song of Ice and Fire novels were the basis of GoT. While GoT was a massive hit for HBO, fans felt a major sense of letdown throughout the series’ eighth and final season.

 Many fans felt that Benioff and Weiss failed to deliver on Martin’s previous storylines while claiming the show began to decline when the pair ran out of source material. Regardless, the success of the show was a boon for Benioff and Weiss, as they were poached by Netflix for The Three-Body Problem. The streaming service lured them away from HBO will a $200 million carrot.

 The deal is an overall film and TV deal, one that Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos was thrilled to announce. “We are thrilled to welcome master storytellers David Benioff and Dan Weiss to Netflix,” Sarandos said in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter. “They are a creative force and have delighted audiences worldwide with their epic storytelling. We can’t wait to see what their imaginations will bring to our members.” The Three-Body Problem will be part of that exciting deal.

 Benioff and Weiss were just as pleased (they had 200 million reasons to be) but also were thankful for their HBO experience. “We’ve had a beautiful run with HBO for more than a decade and we’re grateful to everyone there for always making us feel at home,” they said in their joint statement through The Hollywood Reporter.

 “Over the past few months we’ve spent many hours talking to Cindy Holland and Peter Friedlander, as well as Ted Sarandos and Scott Stuber. We remember the same shots from the same ’80s movies; we love the same books; we’re excited about the same storytelling possibilities. Netflix has built something astounding and unprecedented, and we’re honored they invited us to join them.”

 RIAN JOHNSON AND ALEXANDER WOO ARE ALSO INVOLVED

 Rian Johnson would be the first big name to jump out at fans. He is teaming up with his producing partner Ram Bergman to help bring The Three-Body Problem to Netflix. Alexander Woo is another big name. His producing credits include The Terror: Infamy and True Blood.

 A key component on board is the author himself. Cixin Liu has joined the team as a consulting producer and with him, he brings Ken Liu, who wrote the English translation of both The Three Body Problem and Death’s End. Their involvement is sure to keep the story’s spirit close to the novels.

 Cixin, in his own statement, expressed gratitude and excitement for his partnership with Netflix as well as the creative team bringing his vision to life. He also spoke about how honored he was, as an author, to not only gain fans across the globe but to also show those who may not know The Three-Body Problem a new world for them to discover on Netflix.

 Also included on the producer’s side are Plan B Entertainment, which is Brad Pitt’s company as well as Primitive Streak, the company run by actress Rosamund Pike and Robie Uniacke.

 EIZA GONZALEZ AND BENEDICT WONG WILL STAR IN THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM

 As The Three-Body Problem was only recently announced, Benioff and Weiss are currently searching for stars. One star, also just recently announced, looks to have a big role in the series.

 Eiza Gonzalez is the first actor attached to the project. We exclusively broke that news here at Giant Freakin Robot before it was later confirmed by Deadline. The Mexican actress and singer has been enjoying a rise to fame lately first with Baby Driver, then following that up with Welcome to Marwen, Alita: Battle Angel, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Bloodshot, and Godzilla vs. Kong.

 And recently, some other casting decisions were announced as well. Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange), Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), and Tsai Chin (Shang-Chi) were all added. And in a little nod to Game of Thrones, Liam Cunningham and John Bradley are on board as well.

 THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM DOESN’T HAVE AN OFFICIAL PREMIERE DATE

 Unfortunately, the project does not have a premiere date yet. As it is in the early stages, the first episode hasn’t even gone in front of the cameras. As more details emerge concerning The Three-Body Problem, Giant Freakin Robot will be here to pass it along.

 THERE IS ANOTHER ADAPTATION HAPPENING JUST IN CHINA

 While Netflix has presumably been hard at work on their much-ballyhooed adaptation of The Three-Body Problem, some issues have popped up. For starters, it turns out the American streaming giant is going to be competing with a parallel adaptation of Cixin Liu’s epic work.

 Tencent, one of China’s largest streaming platform, has been developing its own version of The Three-Body Problem and have already released a trailer for it. It will be directed by Leon Yang Lei and star Zhang Luyi, Yu Hewei, Chen Jin, and Wang Ziwen. Reportedly, filming began in 2020 and the initial expectation was for a release the next year. While details are a little scarce, it can be assumed the COVID-19 global pandemic interfered with the production and caused delays. Here’s the trailer:


 This causes some issues for Netflix, as The Three-Body Problem is a beloved work in China and there is bound to be some cultural aggression in competing adaptations. The Netflix adaptation also ran into issues when Yoozoo chairman Lin Qi and Cixin Liu publicly supported the Chinese government’s treatment of its Uighur minority in Xinjiang.

 United States lawmakers called on Netflix to stop the production, as they claimed it would tacitly support those actions. Then Lin fell seriously ill. He was rapidly hospitalized and died; Chinese law enforcement as of last reports were treating it as a suspected poisoning.

 Related Topics:
 Movies & TV Netflix Coming Soon

 related articles

 Bradley Cooper’s Most Underrated Film Is Trending On Netflix

 Prince Harry Blaming A Newspaper For Meghan’s Miscarriage

 Last Chance To Watch Charlize Theron’s Oscar-Winning Performance On Netflix

 The Most Streamed Movie Of 2022 Was Only Available In One Way

 Trending

 Michael Keaton Backed Out Of The Greatest Television Series Of All Time

 4 days ago

 See Cardi B Bursting Out Of A Pink Dress

 4 days ago

 See Florence Pugh Get Wet In A Low-Cut Swimsuit

 3 days ago

 Denzel Washington Regrets Rejecting Role In The Greatest Crime Thriller Ever

 3 days ago

 See Salma Hayek In A String Bikini Meditating In The Sand

 5 days ago

 Top Stories

 New Movies On Netflix – Jonah Hill And Eddie Murphy Bringing The Comedy This Week

 Leonard Nimoy: When He Died And What His Last Words Were

 Marvel Movie Viewing Order: Plan Your Chronological Marathon Here

 Deadpool 3: When Will We See This Ryan Reynolds Movie?

 Breaking Now

 Tom Cruise Inspired Christian Bale’s Character In Hit Psychological Thriller

 6 hours ago

 The Most Hated Star Wars Characters Are Getting Their Own Special

 7 hours ago

 See Kat McNamara Bursting Out Of A Sexy Blue Dress

 9 hours ago

 See Dwayne Johnson And JK Simmons In Rock Star Santa Gear For Red One

 10 hours ago

 Add Us on Social

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 Who We Are

 * Home
 * About Us
 * Original Reporting
 * Contact Us
 * Corrections
 * Ethics
 * Ownership
 * Copyrights
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms Of Use

 Must Read

 * Streaming News
 * Henry Cavill News
 * Brie Larson News
 * Dwayne Johnson News
 * Explore Outer Space
The Three-Body Problem adaptation is coming to Netflix with Eiza Gonzalez and Benedict Wong in the lead roles.
 
 Netflix is always in the market for something new and exciting, whether it be a movie or possible series. They seem to have landed a big fish with The Three–Body Problem, a series that is based on the novel trilogy by Chinese writer Cixin Liu. The show is coming sooner than later and we have some idea of how the streamer plans to handle this one. Let’s take a look at everything we know about the series.
 THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM IS A TRILOGY OF NOVELS BY CIXIN LIU  
 
So, what exactly is The Three-Body Problem and who is Cixin Liu?
 The Three-Body Problem is just the first novel in the trilogy created by Cixin back in 2008, which finally saw the light of day in America with its English translation in 2014. Cixin followed up his best-selling novel with two more, The Dark Forest, which got its English translation in 2015, and Death’s End, which received its English translation in 2016.
Cixin Liu is a well-known Chinese author with a number of novels on his resume as well as many more works of short fiction. He has also won numerous awards for his work on the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy (aka The Three-Body Problem trilogy) including a Hugo Award, a Locus Award, and an Arthur C. Clarke Award. Cixin is also a nine-time winner of China’s Galaxy Award.
 THE NOVEL IS TOLD ACROSS DIFFERENT TIMELINES AND INCLUDES AN ALIEN INVASION  
 
It is always tricky when studios attempt to turn a novel into a movie or TV series. Sometimes they hit but oftentimes they are major failures (Hello, The Dark Tower). Some stories need time to be told, hence the TV series route, and trying to speed them up to fit into a two-hour feature film many times spells disaster.
In bringing The Three-Body Problem, as well as the possibility of the other two novels, to the small screen, Netflix has the luxury of time. The world that Cixin has created is vast, the story layered, so a deep dive is what’s needed for this story.
 The Three-Body Problem tells its story in flash-forwards, flashbacks, and present time. The basic premise finds Earth waiting for an invasion from its closest star system, which in Cixin’s world consists of three solar-type stars orbiting in an unstable three-body system.
 The Three-Body Problem story within Cixin’s world is filled with politics, war, love, loss, and some nasty aliens. It is about Earth’s first human contact with alien life and the conflict that arises over the years. It is all ripe for an in-depth science fiction TV series.
 THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM IS BEING MADE BY THE GAME OF THRONES SHOWRUNNERS 
 
Producers, showrunners, and writers, David Benioff and Dan Weiss, are bringing The Three-Body Problem to Netflix. The duo is best known for the Emmy Award-winning series Game of Thrones . Based on their success with the hit series, Benioff and Weiss were able to grab a major deal with the streaming service. The Three-Body Problem represents their first project that came from that deal.
 Game of Thrones opened the door for many. It made stars out of numerous actors, shined more light on author George R.R. Martin, whose A Song of Ice and Fire novels were the basis of GoT. While GoT was a massive hit for HBO, fans felt a major sense of letdown throughout the series’ eighth and final season.
Many fans felt that Benioff and Weiss failed to deliver on Martin’s previous storylines while claiming the show began to decline when the pair ran out of source material. Regardless, the success of the show was a boon for Benioff and Weiss, as they were poached by Netflix for The Three-Body Problem. The streaming service lured them away from HBO will a $200 million carrot.
 
The deal is an overall film and TV deal, one that Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos was thrilled to announce. “We are thrilled to welcome master storytellers David Benioff and Dan Weiss to Netflix,” Sarandos said in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter. “They are a creative force and have delighted audiences worldwide with their epic storytelling. We can’t wait to see what their imaginations will bring to our members.” The Three-Body Problem will be part of that exciting deal.
Benioff and Weiss were just as pleased (they had 200 million reasons to be) but also were thankful for their HBO experience. “We’ve had a beautiful run with HBO for more than a decade and we’re grateful to everyone there for always making us feel at home,” they said in their joint statement through The Hollywood Reporter. 
“Over the past few months we’ve spent many hours talking to Cindy Holland and Peter Friedlander, as well as Ted Sarandos and Scott Stuber. We remember the same shots from the same ’80s movies; we love the same books; we’re excited about the same storytelling possibilities. Netflix has built something astounding and unprecedented, and we’re honored they invited us to join them.”
 RIAN JOHNSON AND ALEXANDER WOO ARE ALSO INVOLVED 
 
Rian Johnson would be the first big name to jump out at fans. He is teaming up with his producing partner Ram Bergman to help bring The Three-Body Problem to Netflix. Alexander Woo is another big name. His producing credits include The Terror: Infamy and True Blood.
A key component on board is the author himself. Cixin Liu has joined the team as a consulting producer and with him, he brings Ken Liu, who wrote the English translation of both The Three Body Problem and Death’s End. Their involvement is sure to keep the story’s spirit close to the novels.
Cixin, in his own statement, expressed gratitude and excitement for his partnership with Netflix as well as the creative team bringing his vision to life. He also spoke about how honored he was, as an author, to not only gain fans across the globe but to also show those who may not know The Three-Body Problem a new world for them to discover on Netflix.
Also included on the producer’s side are Plan B Entertainment, which is Brad Pitt’s company as well as Primitive Streak, the company run by actress Rosamund Pike and Robie Uniacke.
 EIZA GONZALEZ AND BENEDICT WONG WILL STAR IN THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM 
 
As The Three-Body Problem was only recently announced, Benioff and Weiss are currently searching for stars. One star, also just recently announced, looks to have a big role in the series. 
Eiza Gonzalez is the first actor attached to the project. We exclusively broke that news here at Giant Freakin Robot before it was later confirmed by Deadline. The Mexican actress and singer has been enjoying a rise to fame lately first with Baby Driver, then following that up with Welcome to Marwen, Alita: Battle Angel, Fast &amp; Furious Presents: Hobbs &amp; Shaw, Bloodshot, and Godzilla vs. Kong.
 
And recently, some other casting decisions were announced as well. Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange), Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), and Tsai Chin (Shang-Chi) were all added. And in a little nod to Game of Thrones, Liam Cunningham and John Bradley are on board as well. 
 THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM DOESN’T HAVE AN OFFICIAL PREMIERE DATE 
Unfortunately, the project does not have a premiere date yet. As it is in the early stages, the first episode hasn’t even gone in front of the cameras. As more details emerge concerning The Three-Body Problem, Giant Freakin Robot will be here to pass it along.
 THERE IS ANOTHER ADAPTATION HAPPENING JUST IN CHINA 
While Netflix has presumably been hard at work on their much-ballyhooed adaptation of The Three-Body Problem, some issues have popped up. For starters, it turns out the American streaming giant is going to be competing with a parallel adaptation of Cixin Liu’s epic work. 
Tencent, one of China’s largest streaming platform, has been developing its own version of The Three-Body Problem and have already released a trailer for it. It will be directed by Leon Yang Lei and star Zhang Luyi, Yu Hewei, Chen Jin, and Wang Ziwen. Reportedly, filming began in 2020 and the initial expectation was for a release the next year. While details are a little scarce, it can be assumed the COVID-19 global pandemic interfered with the production and caused delays. Here’s the trailer:
 
 
 This causes some issues for Netflix, as The Three-Body Problem is a beloved work in China and there is bound to be some cultural aggression in competing adaptations. The Netflix adaptation also ran into issues when Yoozoo chairman Lin Qi and Cixin Liu publicly supported the Chinese government’s treatment of its Uighur minority in Xinjiang. 
United States lawmakers called on Netflix to stop the production, as they claimed it would tacitly support those actions. Then Lin fell seriously ill. He was rapidly hospitalized and died; Chinese law enforcement as of last reports were treating it as a suspected poisoning.
The Three-Body Problem: When Is This Netflix Adaptation Coming To The Streamer?
https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/ent/the-three-body-problem.html
https://www.livescience.com/three-body-problem-solution
Physicists crack unsolvable three-body problem using drunkard's walk
2022-01-04
Ashley Hamer
<div><article>
<header>
<nav>
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.livescience.com/">Home</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.livescience.com/news">News</a>
</li>
</ol>
</nav>
</header>
<section>
<div>
<a href><figure><div><p></p></div><figcaption>(Image credit: Adrienne Bresnahan/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></a><p> (opens in new tab)</p><p>A physics problem that has plagued science since the days of <a href="https://www.livescience.com/20296-isaac-newton.html"><u>Isaac Newton</u></a> is closer to being solved, say a pair of Israeli researchers. The duo used "the drunkard's walk" to calculate the outcome of a cosmic dance between three massive objects, or the so-called three-body problem.</p><p>For physicists, predicting the motion of two massive objects, like a pair of stars, is a piece of cake. But when a third object enters the picture, the problem becomes unsolvable. That's because when two massive objects get close to each other, their gravitational attraction influences the paths they take in a way that can be described by a simple <a href="https://www.livescience.com/38936-mathematics.html"><u>mathematical</u></a> formula. But adding a third object isn't so simple: Suddenly, the interactions between the three objects become chaotic. Instead of following a predictable path defined by a mathematical formula, the behavior of the three objects becomes sensitive to what scientists call "initial conditions" — that is, whatever speed and position they were in previously. Any slight difference in those initial conditions changes their future behavior drastically, and because there's always some uncertainty in what we know about those conditions, their behavior is impossible to calculate far out into the future. In one scenario, two of the objects might orbit each other closely while the third is flung into a wide orbit; in another, the third object might be ejected from the other two, never to return, and so on.</p><p>In a paper published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.11.031020"><u>Physical Review X</u></a> (opens in new tab), scientists used the frustrating unpredictability of the three-body problem to their advantage. </p><p>"[The three-body problem] depends very, very sensitively on initial conditions, so essentially it means that the outcome is basically random," said Yonadav Barry Ginat, a doctoral student at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology who co-authored the paper with Hagai Perets, a physicist at the same university. "But that doesn't mean that we cannot calculate what probability each outcome has."</p><p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.livescience.com/34052-unsolved-mysteries-physics.html"><u><strong>The 18 biggest unsolved mysteries in physics</strong></u></a></p><p>To do that, they relied on the theory of random walks — also known as "the drunkard's walk." The idea is that a drunkard walks in random directions, with the same chance of taking a step to the right as taking a step to the left. If you know those chances, you can calculate the probability of the drunkard ending up in any given spot at some later point in time. </p><figure><div><p></p></div><figcaption>(Image credit: Technion - Israel Institute of Technology)</figcaption></figure><p>So in the new study, Ginat and Perets looked at systems of three bodies, where the third object approaches a pair of objects in orbit. In their solution, each of the drunkard's "steps" corresponds to the velocity of the third object relative to the other two. </p><p>"One can calculate what the probabilities for each of those possible speeds of the third body is, and then you can compose all those steps and all those probabilities to find the final probability of what's going to happen to the three-body system in a long time from now," meaning whether the third object will be flung out for good, or whether it might come back, for instance, Ginat said. </p><p>But the scientists' solution goes further than that. In most simulations of the three-body problem, the three objects are treated as so-called ideal particles, with no internal properties at play. But stars and planets interact in more complicated ways: Just think about the way the <a href="https://www.livescience.com/earths-moon.html"><u>moon</u></a>'s gravity tugs on the <a href="https://www.livescience.com/earth.html"><u>Earth</u></a> to produce the tides. Those tidal forces steal some energy from the interaction between the two bodies, and that changes the way each body moves. </p><p>Because this solution calculates the probability of each "step" of the three-body interaction, it can account for these additional forces to more precisely calculate the outcome.</p><p>This is a big step forward for the three-body problem, but Ginat says it's certainly not the end. The researchers now hope to figure out what happens when the three bodies are in special configurations — for example, all three on a flat plane. Another challenge is to see if they can generalize these ideas to four bodies.</p><p>"There are quite a few open questions remaining," Ginat said. </p><p><em>Originally published on Live Science</em>.</p>
</div>
<div><p>Ashley Hamer is a contributing writer for Live Science who has written about everything from space and quantum physics to health and psychology. She's the host of two podcasts: Curiosity Daily and Taboo Science. She has also written for the YouTube channels SciShow and It's Okay to Be Smart. With a bachelor's and master's degree in jazz saxophone from the University of North Texas, Ashley has an unconventional background that gives her science writing a unique perspective and an outsider's point of view.</p></div>
</section>
</article>||||I||||Skip to main content
 Open menu Close menu
 Live Science
 Search Search Live Science
 Subscribe
 RSS
 (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
 How It Works Magazine
 (opens in new tab)
 (opens in new tab)
 Why subscribe?
 * The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe
 * Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5'
 * Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews
 * Issues delivered straight to your door or device
 From $3.99
 (opens in new tab)
 View (opens in new tab)
 * 
 * News
 * Space & Physics
 * Health
 * Planet Earth
 * Strange News
 * Animals
 * History
 * Forums
 * More
 + Forums
 + Tech
 + Culture
 + Reference
 + About Us
 + Magazine subscriptions
 Trending
 * Snow micromoon
 * 'Mind-control' parasite
 * Hypersomnia
 * Military & CIA secrets
 * Life's Little Mysteries

 When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

 1. Home
 2. News

 Physicists crack unsolvable three-body problem using drunkard's walk

 By Ashley Hamer
 published 4 January 2022

 It has plagued scientists since the days of Isaac Newton.

 * (opens in new tab)
 * (opens in new tab)
 * 
 * (opens in new tab)
 * (opens in new tab)
 * (opens in new tab)
 * 

 (Image credit: Adrienne Bresnahan/Getty Images)

 (opens in new tab)

 A physics problem that has plagued science since the days of Isaac Newton is closer to being solved, say a pair of Israeli researchers. The duo used "the drunkard's walk" to calculate the outcome of a cosmic dance between three massive objects, or the so-called three-body problem.

 For physicists, predicting the motion of two massive objects, like a pair of stars, is a piece of cake. But when a third object enters the picture, the problem becomes unsolvable. That's because when two massive objects get close to each other, their gravitational attraction influences the paths they take in a way that can be described by a simple mathematical formula. But adding a third object isn't so simple: Suddenly, the interactions between the three objects become chaotic. Instead of following a predictable path defined by a mathematical formula, the behavior of the three objects becomes sensitive to what scientists call "initial conditions" — that is, whatever speed and position they were in previously. Any slight difference in those initial conditions changes their future behavior drastically, and because there's always some uncertainty in what we know about those conditions, their behavior is impossible to calculate far out into the future. In one scenario, two of the objects might orbit each other closely while the third is flung into a wide orbit; in another, the third object might be ejected from the other two, never to return, and so on.

 In a paper published in the journal Physical Review X (opens in new tab) , scientists used the frustrating unpredictability of the three-body problem to their advantage.

 "[The three-body problem] depends very, very sensitively on initial conditions, so essentially it means that the outcome is basically random," said Yonadav Barry Ginat, a doctoral student at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology who co-authored the paper with Hagai Perets, a physicist at the same university. "But that doesn't mean that we cannot calculate what probability each outcome has."

 Related: The 18 biggest unsolved mysteries in physics

 To do that, they relied on the theory of random walks — also known as "the drunkard's walk." The idea is that a drunkard walks in random directions, with the same chance of taking a step to the right as taking a step to the left. If you know those chances, you can calculate the probability of the drunkard ending up in any given spot at some later point in time.

 (Image credit: Technion - Israel Institute of Technology)

 So in the new study, Ginat and Perets looked at systems of three bodies, where the third object approaches a pair of objects in orbit. In their solution, each of the drunkard's "steps" corresponds to the velocity of the third object relative to the other two.

 "One can calculate what the probabilities for each of those possible speeds of the third body is, and then you can compose all those steps and all those probabilities to find the final probability of what's going to happen to the three-body system in a long time from now," meaning whether the third object will be flung out for good, or whether it might come back, for instance, Ginat said.

 RELATED CONTENT

 —20 Amazing women in science and math

 —The 11 most beautiful mathematical equations

 —Amazing Black scientists

 But the scientists' solution goes further than that. In most simulations of the three-body problem, the three objects are treated as so-called ideal particles, with no internal properties at play. But stars and planets interact in more complicated ways: Just think about the way the moon's gravity tugs on the Earth to produce the tides. Those tidal forces steal some energy from the interaction between the two bodies, and that changes the way each body moves.

 Because this solution calculates the probability of each "step" of the three-body interaction, it can account for these additional forces to more precisely calculate the outcome.

 This is a big step forward for the three-body problem, but Ginat says it's certainly not the end. The researchers now hope to figure out what happens when the three bodies are in special configurations — for example, all three on a flat plane. Another challenge is to see if they can generalize these ideas to four bodies.

 "There are quite a few open questions remaining," Ginat said.

 Originally published on Live Science.

 Ashley Hamer
 Live Science Contributor

 Ashley Hamer is a contributing writer for Live Science who has written about everything from space and quantum physics to health and psychology. She's the host of two podcasts: Curiosity Daily and Taboo Science. She has also written for the YouTube channels SciShow and It's Okay to Be Smart. With a bachelor's and master's degree in jazz saxophone from the University of North Texas, Ashley has an unconventional background that gives her science writing a unique perspective and an outsider's point of view.

 MOST READMOST SHARED
 1. 1
 How to watch the rare green comet whiz past Earth tonight
 2. 2
 17-pound meteorite found in Antarctica, likely hidden for millennia, is perfectly intact
 3. 3
 Does coffee really give you an 'energy boost'?
 4. 4
 Scientists created a weird new type of ice that is almost exactly as dense as water
 5. 5
 Cryptic lost Canaanite language decoded on 'Rosetta Stone'-like tablets
 1. 1
 Black hole 'spaghettified' a star into a doughnut shape, and astronomers captured the gory encounter
 2. 2
 17-pound meteorite found in Antarctica, likely hidden for millennia, is perfectly intact
 3. 3
 Scientists created a weird new type of ice that is almost exactly as dense as water
 4. 4
 When did Rome fall?
 5. 5
 Why do horses wear shoes?
 How It Works Magazine
 (opens in new tab)
 * ●
 (opens in new tab)
 * The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe
 From $3.99
 (opens in new tab)
 View (opens in new tab)

 Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab) .

 * About Us (opens in new tab)
 * Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
 * Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
 * Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
 * Accessibility Statement (opens in new tab)
 * Topics (opens in new tab)
 * Advertise with us (opens in new tab)
 * Web notifications (opens in new tab)
 * Careers (opens in new tab)

 © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Home
News
      (Image credit: Adrienne Bresnahan/Getty Images)    (opens in new tab) A physics problem that has plagued science since the days of  Isaac Newton  is closer to being solved, say a pair of Israeli researchers. The duo used "the drunkard's walk" to calculate the outcome of a cosmic dance between three massive objects, or the so-called three-body problem. For physicists, predicting the motion of two massive objects, like a pair of stars, is a piece of cake. But when a third object enters the picture, the problem becomes unsolvable. That's because when two massive objects get close to each other, their gravitational attraction influences the paths they take in a way that can be described by a simple  mathematical  formula. But adding a third object isn't so simple: Suddenly, the interactions between the three objects become chaotic. Instead of following a predictable path defined by a mathematical formula, the behavior of the three objects becomes sensitive to what scientists call "initial conditions" — that is, whatever speed and position they were in previously. Any slight difference in those initial conditions changes their future behavior drastically, and because there's always some uncertainty in what we know about those conditions, their behavior is impossible to calculate far out into the future. In one scenario, two of the objects might orbit each other closely while the third is flung into a wide orbit; in another, the third object might be ejected from the other two, never to return, and so on. In a paper published in the journal  Physical Review X  (opens in new tab), scientists used the frustrating unpredictability of the three-body problem to their advantage.  "[The three-body problem] depends very, very sensitively on initial conditions, so essentially it means that the outcome is basically random," said Yonadav Barry Ginat, a doctoral student at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology who co-authored the paper with Hagai Perets, a physicist at the same university. "But that doesn't mean that we cannot calculate what probability each outcome has."  Related:    The 18 biggest unsolved mysteries in physics    To do that, they relied on the theory of random walks — also known as "the drunkard's walk." The idea is that a drunkard walks in random directions, with the same chance of taking a step to the right as taking a step to the left. If you know those chances, you can calculate the probability of the drunkard ending up in any given spot at some later point in time.       (Image credit: Technion - Israel Institute of Technology)  So in the new study, Ginat and Perets looked at systems of three bodies, where the third object approaches a pair of objects in orbit. In their solution, each of the drunkard's "steps" corresponds to the velocity of the third object relative to the other two.  "One can calculate what the probabilities for each of those possible speeds of the third body is, and then you can compose all those steps and all those probabilities to find the final probability of what's going to happen to the three-body system in a long time from now," meaning whether the third object will be flung out for good, or whether it might come back, for instance, Ginat said.  But the scientists' solution goes further than that. In most simulations of the three-body problem, the three objects are treated as so-called ideal particles, with no internal properties at play. But stars and planets interact in more complicated ways: Just think about the way the  moon 's gravity tugs on the  Earth  to produce the tides. Those tidal forces steal some energy from the interaction between the two bodies, and that changes the way each body moves.  Because this solution calculates the probability of each "step" of the three-body interaction, it can account for these additional forces to more precisely calculate the outcome. This is a big step forward for the three-body problem, but Ginat says it's certainly not the end. The researchers now hope to figure out what happens when the three bodies are in special configurations — for example, all three on a flat plane. Another challenge is to see if they can generalize these ideas to four bodies. "There are quite a few open questions remaining," Ginat said.   Originally published on Live Science.
 Ashley Hamer is a contributing writer for Live Science who has written about everything from space and quantum physics to health and psychology. She's the host of two podcasts: Curiosity Daily and Taboo Science. She has also written for the YouTube channels SciShow and It's Okay to Be Smart. With a bachelor's and master's degree in jazz saxophone from the University of North Texas, Ashley has an unconventional background that gives her science writing a unique perspective and an outsider's point of view.
Physicists crack unsolvable three-body problem using drunkard's walk
https://www.livescience.com/three-body-problem-solution
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/three-body-problem-first-trailer-tencent-netflix-1235108546/
Tencent’s First ‘Three-Body Problem’ Trailer Sparks Rivalry With Netflix’s Adaptation
2021-11-09
Rebecca Davis
<div>
 
	<div>
	<main>
	
<header>
	
</header>
	 
	<div>
	<article>
	<div>
	<div>
	
<div>
	
<nav>
	<ol>
	<li>
	
<a href="/">
	Home</a>
	</li>
	<li>
	
<a href="https://variety.com/v/tv/">
	TV</a>
	</li>
	<li>
	
<a href="https://variety.com/c/news/">
	News</a>
	</li>
	</ol>
</nav>
</div>
	<h2>
	Tencent’s First ‘Three-Body Problem’ Trailer Sparks Rivalry With Netflix’s Adaptation
	</h2>
	</div>
	<div>
	
<figure>
	
<div>
	</div>
	
<figcaption>
	<cite>Tencent</cite>
	</figcaption>
	
</figure>
	</div>
	</div>
	<div>
	<p><a href="https://variety.com/t/tencent/">Tencent</a> has released the first trailer for its take on Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin’s epic novel “The <a href="https://variety.com/t/three-body-problem/">Three-Body Problem</a>,” sparking comparisons between the local adaptation and the <a href="https://variety.com/t/netflix/">Netflix</a> version also underway.</p>
<p>The book is the first in Liu’s Hugo Award-winning trilogy about humanity’s first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.</p>
<p>Tencent’s adaptation is directed by Leon Yang Lei (“The Red”) and stars Zhang Luyi (“The Red,” “The Devotion of Suspect X”), Yu Hewei (“Cliff Walkers,” “Crazy Alien”), Chen Jin (“All is Well”) and Wang Ziwen (“Ode to Joy”).</p>
<p>The web series began shooting in July 2020 and doesn’t yet have a specific release date, but is currently expected to hit sometime next year. Liu himself told the local press last month that Netflix is to start shooting the series this year, and that “China might release the series sooner” than the Hollywood version.</p>
<p>The new Tencent trailer opens with an exchange between two off-screen male voices.</p>
<p>“Have significant accidents ever happened to you in your life?” one asks. “No,” the other replies. “Then your life is a sort of accident,” the first continues. “But isn’t that the case for most people?” the second voice asks, and the first responds, to a backdrop of ominous music with deep foghorn-type blasts that would feel at home on the “Tenet” soundtrack: “Then most people’s lives are all accidents.”</p>
<p>In a final line, a woman’s voice says: “This is the end of humanity.”</p>
<h3>‘Netflix’s Nonsense Version’</h3>
<p>Tencent nabbed the rights to adapt the story into a TV series way back in 2008. Now, its version is entering a crowded playing field.</p>
<p>There are at least two other “Three-Body Problem” adaptations in the works in China, including a film backed by IP rights holder Yoozoo Group that may have fallen permanently to the wayside and an animated take from Gen Z- and anime-leaning platform Bilibili.</p>
<p>Netflix struck its own deal with Yoozoo to create an English-language adaptation, announcing the project last September. The American version is being co-created by “Game of Thrones” big shots David Benioff and Dan Weiss alongside Alexander Woo (“True Blood”), and <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/derek-tsang-three-body-problem-netflix-1235045185/">will be directed</a> by Hong Kong’s Derek Tsang (“Better Days”).</p>
<p>The streamer <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/three-body-problem-netflix-series-cast-benedict-wong-1235100108/">recently announced</a> 12 cast members, about a third of whom are of Asian descent. The casting choices have led to some backlash among Chinese fans, who are upset there aren’t more Chinese faces.</p>
<p>The original novel is set almost entirely in China and follows mostly Chinese characters at a period when foreigners were a rarity in the country. The inclusion of so many foreign cast members has led many to express concern that the story will no longer be set primarily in the Middle Kingdom, potentially shearing the tale of its cultural and historical specificities.</p>
<p>“‘Three-Body’ is a story full of Chinese elements told by we Chinese from our Chinese perspective and ways of thinking …to express Chinese people’s values, worldview and view of the universe. These things are very hard for foreigners to express — only we are able to do it,” wrote one popular comment in response to Tencent’s Weibo recent post about the new trailer.</p>
<p>It was outranked by the top comment, liked 27,000 times. It read: “Buck up — you better not lose to Netflix’s nonsense version.”</p>
<p>While nationalist users maintained that only a Chinese production could capture the essence of the story, the novel is set during the Cultural Revolution, which could pose a problem for censors in a Chinese retelling.</p>
<p>On that front, Liu’s material may find itself caught between a rock and a hard place, a few noted. “With the background of the Cultural Revolution, the mainland doesn’t dare shoot it and foreign countries can’t shoot it well,” one Weibo poster lamented.</p>
<p>Most fans said they were looking forward to Tencent’s adaptation, but many expressed concern that the China-made series wouldn’t be able to hold its own when it came to the necessary special effects.</p>
<p>“Netflix has its strengths, and locally produced works have their own advantages,” wrote one commenter tried to calm down a passionate debate. “The audiences for each are different.”</p>
<p>Watch the trailer below.</p>
<p></p>
	
<div>
	
<nav>
	<h4>Read More About:</h4>
	
</nav>
</div>
	</div>
	</article>
	</div>
	
<div>
	<h2>
	More From Our Brands
	</h2>
	</div>
	</main>
<nav>
	
</nav>
	
<div>
	<header>
	<h4>Verify it's you</h4>
	</header>
	<main>
	To help keep your account secure, please log-in again.
	</main>
	</div>
<div>
	<header>
	<h4>Please log in</h4>
	</header>
	<main>
	You are no longer onsite at your organization. Please log in.	<br />
	For assistance, contact your corporate administrator.	</main>
	</div>
	
</div>
<div><div></div><div><h2>Your Privacy Choices: Targeted Ad and Personal Information Sale Opt Out (Virginia Residents)</h2><div>As explained in our Privacy Policy, we and our ad partners collect certain information from our visitors through cookies and similar technologies and share it with third parties or combine it with information from other businesses to deliver more relevant ads to you and for related advertising activities. We may also share certain contact information for these purposes. This is known as processing your personal information for targeted ads and may be considered “selling” it under applicable law. We may sell or license certain information, such as contact or subscription information, to third parties to provide you offers and opportunities that may interest you. 
If you are a Virginia resident, to opt out of these activities, use the toggle below. If you want to opt out of our sale or processing that are not cookie based, please complete the below webform. 
 <br /><a href="https://pmc.com/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a><a href="https://privacyportal.onetrust.com/webform/e65b3c4c-fa81-40d2-9df0-c7e99bf5f900/c1758705-38ef-4c01-aecc-93c4154172b1">CDPA Opt-Out</a></div><section><h3> Manage Preferences</h3><div><div><h4>Strictly Necessary Cookies</h4></div><div><p>These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.</p></div></div><div><div><h4>Allow Targeted Ads or Sale of Personal Information</h4><div> Allow Targeted Ads or Sale of Personal Information </div></div><div><p>Move the toggle to the left and click “Confirm My Choices,” to indicate that you do not want us to sell or process your personal information as described above. Please note that you must indicate your choice on each computer/browser used to access our services and fill out the webform for non-cookie-based data. </p></div></div></section></div><section><div><h3>Performance Cookies</h3></div></section></div>||||I|||| Plus Icon Click to expand the Mega Menu
 Plus Icon Click to Expand Search Input
 Content
 * Have a News Tip?
 * Newsletters
 Switch edition between U.S. Edition Asia Edition Global Edition
 * U.S.
 * Asia
 * Global
 Variety
 Subscribe
 Log in
 Account
 * Print Plus Login
 * Subscribe to Print Plus

 Variety Print Plus Subscriber

 * Print Plus Features
 * Logout
 * Help
 * VIP Login
 * Subscribe to VIP
 * Access your VIP account
 Plus Icon
 Account
 * Print Plus Login
 * Subscribe to Print Plus

 Variety Print Plus Subscriber

 * Print Plus Features
 * Logout
 * Help
 * VIP Login
 * Subscribe to VIP
 * Access your VIP account
 Log in
 Account
 * Print Plus Login
 * Subscribe to Print Plus

 Variety Print Plus Subscriber

 * Print Plus Features
 * Logout
 * Help
 * VIP Login
 * Subscribe to VIP
 * Access your VIP account
 Plus Icon Click to expand the Mega Menu
 Plus Icon Click to Expand Search Input
 Content
 Variety Plus Icon Read Next: Writers Guild Contract Negotiations to Begin on March 20, as Strike Threat Looms
 Subscribe
 Log in
 Account
 * Print Plus Login
 * Subscribe to Print Plus
 Awallenstein

 Variety Print Plus Subscriber

 * Print Plus Features
 * Logout
 * Help
 * VIP Login
 * Subscribe to VIP
 * Access your VIP account
 Plus Icon
 Account
 * Print Plus Login
 * Subscribe to Print Plus
 Awallenstein

 Variety Print Plus Subscriber

 * Print Plus Features
 * Logout
 * Help
 * VIP Login
 * Subscribe to VIP
 * Access your VIP account
 The leader in entertainment news since 1905.
 Subscribe for access to Variety Magazine or VIP+
 See My Options
 * Plus Icon Film
 * Plus Icon TV
 * Plus Icon What To Watch
 * Plus Icon Music
 * Plus Icon Docs
 * Plus Icon Tech
 * Plus Icon Global
 * Plus Icon Awards Circuit
 * Plus Icon Video
 * Plus Icon What To Hear
 * VIP
 1. Home
 2. TV
 3. News
 Nov 9, 2021 4:02pm PT

 Tencent’s First ‘Three-Body Problem’ Trailer Sparks Rivalry With Netflix’s Adaptation

 By Rebecca Davis

 Plus Icon

 Rebecca Davis

 Latest

 * ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ Leads China Box Office With $7.5 Million Debut 1 year ago
 * ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ Sequel to Hit China Theaters in February Amid Crowded Lunar New Year Lineup 1 year ago
 * DAZN Nears Estimated $800 Million Deal to Acquire BT Sport 1 year ago
 See All
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

 Tencent

 Tencent has released the first trailer for its take on Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin’s epic novel “The Three-Body Problem,” sparking comparisons between the local adaptation and the Netflix version also underway.

 The book is the first in Liu’s Hugo Award-winning trilogy about humanity’s first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.

 Tencent’s adaptation is directed by Leon Yang Lei (“The Red”) and stars Zhang Luyi (“The Red,” “The Devotion of Suspect X”), Yu Hewei (“Cliff Walkers,” “Crazy Alien”), Chen Jin (“All is Well”) and Wang Ziwen (“Ode to Joy”).

 The web series began shooting in July 2020 and doesn’t yet have a specific release date, but is currently expected to hit sometime next year. Liu himself told the local press last month that Netflix is to start shooting the series this year, and that “China might release the series sooner” than the Hollywood version.

 Related Stories

 VIP+

 Why the Disc Format Has Yet to Die for Some TV Series

 Don Lemon Will Return to CNN Morning Show

 The new Tencent trailer opens with an exchange between two off-screen male voices.

 “Have significant accidents ever happened to you in your life?” one asks. “No,” the other replies. “Then your life is a sort of accident,” the first continues. “But isn’t that the case for most people?” the second voice asks, and the first responds, to a backdrop of ominous music with deep foghorn-type blasts that would feel at home on the “Tenet” soundtrack: “Then most people’s lives are all accidents.”

 In a final line, a woman’s voice says: “This is the end of humanity.”

 ‘Netflix’s Nonsense Version’

 Tencent nabbed the rights to adapt the story into a TV series way back in 2008. Now, its version is entering a crowded playing field.

 There are at least two other “Three-Body Problem” adaptations in the works in China, including a film backed by IP rights holder Yoozoo Group that may have fallen permanently to the wayside and an animated take from Gen Z- and anime-leaning platform Bilibili.

 Netflix struck its own deal with Yoozoo to create an English-language adaptation, announcing the project last September. The American version is being co-created by “Game of Thrones” big shots David Benioff and Dan Weiss alongside Alexander Woo (“True Blood”), and will be directed by Hong Kong’s Derek Tsang (“Better Days”).

 The streamer recently announced 12 cast members, about a third of whom are of Asian descent. The casting choices have led to some backlash among Chinese fans, who are upset there aren’t more Chinese faces.

 The original novel is set almost entirely in China and follows mostly Chinese characters at a period when foreigners were a rarity in the country. The inclusion of so many foreign cast members has led many to express concern that the story will no longer be set primarily in the Middle Kingdom, potentially shearing the tale of its cultural and historical specificities.

 “‘Three-Body’ is a story full of Chinese elements told by we Chinese from our Chinese perspective and ways of thinking …to express Chinese people’s values, worldview and view of the universe. These things are very hard for foreigners to express — only we are able to do it,” wrote one popular comment in response to Tencent’s Weibo recent post about the new trailer.

 It was outranked by the top comment, liked 27,000 times. It read: “Buck up — you better not lose to Netflix’s nonsense version.”

 While nationalist users maintained that only a Chinese production could capture the essence of the story, the novel is set during the Cultural Revolution, which could pose a problem for censors in a Chinese retelling.

 On that front, Liu’s material may find itself caught between a rock and a hard place, a few noted. “With the background of the Cultural Revolution, the mainland doesn’t dare shoot it and foreign countries can’t shoot it well,” one Weibo poster lamented.

 Most fans said they were looking forward to Tencent’s adaptation, but many expressed concern that the China-made series wouldn’t be able to hold its own when it came to the necessary special effects.

 “Netflix has its strengths, and locally produced works have their own advantages,” wrote one commenter tried to calm down a passionate debate. “The audiences for each are different.”

 Watch the trailer below.

 Read More About:

 * Netflix,
 * Tencent,
 * Three-Body Problem
 Comments
 Want to read more articles like this one?
 Subscribe Today

 More From Variety

 Mila Kunis Emailed Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher to Roast Their Red Carpet Chemistry: ‘You Guys Look So Awkward Together’

 Why the Disc Format Has Yet to Die for Some TV Series

 CNN Works to Keep ‘Morning’ Drama Off Screen as Don Lemon Returns

 ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Tops 267 Million Hours Played, Fan Interest Surpasses ‘Fantastic Beasts’

 Content Discovery Is Streaming’s Biggest Struggle

 ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 4 Is Already Written So That Its Story Fits Perfectly With ‘Ahsoka’ and More ‘Star Wars’ Series

 CleanMyMac by MacPaw
 macOS Ventura: 4 new apps you'll love Genius productivity apps in macOS Ventura. These tools will elevate your Mac. CleanMyMac by MacPaw |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 CompareCredit.com
 The #1 Card with 0% Interest Until Nearly 2025 With this card, you can focus on paying off your balance rather than your interest. CompareCredit.com |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 leaffilterusa.com
 How Much Does It Cost to Replace Old Gutters? leaffilterusa.com |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 Healthcare & Beauty Experts
 Aging Skin? Dermatologist Says Throw Away Your Creams And Do This Healthcare & Beauty Experts |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 Healthy Guru
 Cardiologist: Too Much Belly Fat? Do This Before Bed Healthy Guru |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 Babbel
 The App That's Teaching Americans Spanish In 15 Minutes A Day Babbel |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 Gundry MD
 U.S. Surgeon: This Simple Trick Empties Almost Immediately Your Bowels Every Morning Gundry MD |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 SaneSolution
 What Throat Phlegm Could Mean For your Health (No What You Expect) SaneSolution |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 Healthy Guru
 1/2 Cup Of This (Before Bed) Can Melt Your Belly Fat Like Never Before Healthy Guru |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 EarTech
 This Cheap Hearing Aid Device Is Helping Seniors Hear Better The World’s 1st Wireless Charging Hearing Aids for Less Than $100! EarTech |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Learn More
 Undo
 Healthy Guru
 Top Doctor: If Anyone Have Tinnitus (Ear Ringing) Do This Immediately! Healthy Guru |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 Babbel
 The App That's Teaching Americans Spanish in Just 3 Weeks Babbel |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 Zleep
 This New Sleep Patch Technology Has Taken The US By Storm Zleep |
 Sponsored Sponsored
 Undo
 JavaScript is required to load the comments.

 Most Popular

 * Liam Neeson Rejected James Bond Because of His Wife’s Ultimatum: ‘If You Play 007, We're Not Getting Married’

 * Rolling Stones Recording With Paul McCartney — and Ringo?

 * Jeremy Strong Responds to Brian Cox Worrying About His Method Acting: ‘He's Earned the Right to Say Whatever the F— He Wants’

 * 

 * Jansen Panettiere, Actor in 'The Walking Dead,' 'Ice Age: The Meltdown,’ Dies at 28

 * J.K. Rowling Isn’t Concerned About Anti-Trans Backlash Tarnishing Her Legacy: 'I'll Be Dead'

 * In Defense of Ariana DeBose's Rap: BAFTA Producer Slams Twitter Criticism as 'Incredibly Unfair,' Claims 'Everybody Loved It' (EXCLUSIVE)

 * Netflix Star Francesca Farago on How Dating Shows Like 'Perfect Match' Are Changing the Game for LGBTQ Representation on Reality TV

 * 'House of the Dragon' Likely to Return Summer 2024 — Plus, HBO Boss on 'Succession' Spin-Off Odds and Killing 'True Blood' Reboot

 * Days After Cancellation, Judge Greg Mathis Announces Return to TV With 'Mathis Court' in Fall 2023

 * Brian Cox Slams Jeremy Strong’s Method Acting as 'F—ing Annoying': 'Don't Get Me Going On It’

 Must Read

 * TV

 HBO's Leading Man: Casey Bloys on Perfecting 'The Last of Us,' HBO Max Streaming Merger and Axing Shows

 By Andrew Wallenstein 5 hours
 * Shopping

 The Best Compost Bins to Buy in 2023

 * Biz

 Survey: 1 in 10 U.S. Adults Pirated TV, Movies or Live Sports in 2022

 * Music

 Rolling Stones Recording With Paul McCartney — and Ringo?

 * Film

 'Cocaine Bear' Screenwriter on Sequels, Extreme Gore and 12-Year-Olds Trying Cocaine: 'I Never Thought Anybody Was Going to Make This Movie'

 Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

 Your Email
 Sign Up Sign Up
 By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 Strictly Business

 A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

 More From Our Brands

 * Rolling Stone

 Nipsey Hussle’s Killer, Eric Holder, Gets 60 Years to Life in Prison

 * Robb Report

 The 10 Best Coffee Tables to Elevate the Style to Your Living Room

 * Sportico

 Adidas, MLS Sign Six-Year, $830 Million Contract Extension

 * SPY

 Catch Every Soccer Game in 2023 With Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass

 * TVLine

 The Good Doctor Shocker: Chuku Modu Sets Extended Return as Dr. Jared Kalu

 Variety

 * About Us
 * Newsletter
 * Variety Events
 * Variety Archives
 * Variety Insight
 * Advertise
 * Media Kit
 * Careers

 Legal

 * Terms of Use
 * Privacy Policy
 * AdChoices
 * Your Privacy Choices
 * Accessibility

 Variety Magazine

 * Subscribe
 * Print Plus Login
 * Back Issues
 * Group Subscriptions
 * Archive Subscription
 * Customer Service
 * Help

 VIP+ Account

 * Login
 * Subscribe
 * FAQ
 * Learn More

 Connect

 * Instagram
 * Twitter
 * YouTube
 * Facebook
 * LinkedIn
 Variety

 The Business of Entertainment

 Subscribe Today
 Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2023 Variety Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC.
 Powered by WordPress.com VIP
 Have a News tip? Let us know
 Variety
 Content
 Close the menu
 * Expand the sub menu Film
 + News
 + Reviews
 + Podcasts
 + Box Office
 + Events
 + Columns
 + Trailers
 * Expand the sub menu TV
 + News
 + Reviews
 + Podcasts
 + Ratings
 + Pilot Scorecard
 + Columns
 + Trailers
 * Expand the sub menu What To Watch
 + Lists & Features
 * Expand the sub menu Music
 + News
 + Album Reviews
 + Concert Reviews
 + Hitmakers
 + Music For Screens
 + Grammys
 * Expand the sub menu Docs
 + Lists & Features
 * Expand the sub menu Tech
 + Features
 + Global
 + VIP+ Tech
 * Expand the sub menu Global
 + News
 + Asia
 + Markets & Festivals
 + Features
 * Expand the sub menu Awards Circuit
 + News
 + Film Predictions
 + TV Predictions
 + Video
 + Artisans
 + Columns
 + Awards Circuit Podcast
 * Expand the sub menu Video
 + Popular
 + Cover Shoots - Behind the Scenes
 + Actors on Actors
 + Power of Women
 + Events
 + Artisans
 * Expand the sub menu What to Hear
 + Lists & Features
 * Expand the sub menu VIP+
 + Daily Commentary
 + Special Reports
 + Video
 * Expand the sub menu More Coverage
 + Obituaries
 + Photos
 + Podcasts
 + Scene
 + Voices
 + Theater
 * Expand the sub menu More Variety
 + Live Media Summits
 + Vscore
 + Variety Insight
 + Variety Archives
 + Variety500
 + Industry Executives
 * Have a News Tip?
 * Subscribe
 * Newsletters
 Switch edition between U.S. Edition Asia Edition Global Edition
 * U.S.
 * Asia
 * Global

 Alerts and Newsletters

 Your Email
 Sign Up Sign Up
 By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 Follow Us

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 Subscribe
 * Have a news tip?
 Switch edition between U.S. Edition Asia Edition Global Edition
 * U.S.
 * Asia
 * Global
 * Advertise
 * About
 * Contact Us
 Icon Link Plus Icon Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2023 Variety Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 ad

 Close Try Again

 Verify it's you

 To help keep your account secure, please log-in again.
 Dismiss Log-In

 Please log in

 You are no longer onsite at your organization. Please log in.
 For assistance, contact your corporate administrator.
 Dismiss Log-In

 Your Privacy Choices: Targeted Ad and Personal Information Sale Opt Out (Virginia Residents)

 As explained in our Privacy Policy, we and our ad partners collect certain information from our visitors through cookies and similar technologies and share it with third parties or combine it with information from other businesses to deliver more relevant ads to you and for related advertising activities. We may also share certain contact information for these purposes. This is known as processing your personal information for targeted ads and may be considered “selling” it under applicable law. We may sell or license certain information, such as contact or subscription information, to third parties to provide you offers and opportunities that may interest you. If you are a Virginia resident, to opt out of these activities, use the toggle below. If you want to opt out of our sale or processing that are not cookie based, please complete the below webform.
 Privacy PolicyCDPA Opt-Out

 Manage Preferences

 Strictly Necessary Cookies

 Always Active

 These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.

 Allow Targeted Ads or Sale of Personal Information

 Allow Targeted Ads or Sale of Personal Information

 Move the toggle to the left and click “Confirm My Choices,” to indicate that you do not want us to sell or process your personal information as described above. Please note that you must indicate your choice on each computer/browser used to access our services and fill out the webform for non-cookie-based data.

 Performance Cookies

 Clear
 checkbox label label
 Apply Cancel
 Consent Leg.Interest
 Switch Label label
 Switch Label label
 Switch Label label
 Confirm My Choices
Home
	
	
	
	TV
	
	
	
	News
	
	
	
	Tencent’s First ‘Three-Body Problem’ Trailer Sparks Rivalry With Netflix’s Adaptation
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	Tencent
	
	
	
	
	
	 Tencent has released the first trailer for its take on Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin’s epic novel “The Three-Body Problem,” sparking comparisons between the local adaptation and the Netflix version also underway.
The book is the first in Liu’s Hugo Award-winning trilogy about humanity’s first contact with an extraterrestrial civilization.
Tencent’s adaptation is directed by Leon Yang Lei (“The Red”) and stars Zhang Luyi (“The Red,” “The Devotion of Suspect X”), Yu Hewei (“Cliff Walkers,” “Crazy Alien”), Chen Jin (“All is Well”) and Wang Ziwen (“Ode to Joy”).
The web series began shooting in July 2020 and doesn’t yet have a specific release date, but is currently expected to hit sometime next year. Liu himself told the local press last month that Netflix is to start shooting the series this year, and that “China might release the series sooner” than the Hollywood version.
The new Tencent trailer opens with an exchange between two off-screen male voices.
“Have significant accidents ever happened to you in your life?” one asks. “No,” the other replies. “Then your life is a sort of accident,” the first continues. “But isn’t that the case for most people?” the second voice asks, and the first responds, to a backdrop of ominous music with deep foghorn-type blasts that would feel at home on the “Tenet” soundtrack: “Then most people’s lives are all accidents.”
In a final line, a woman’s voice says: “This is the end of humanity.”
‘Netflix’s Nonsense Version’
Tencent nabbed the rights to adapt the story into a TV series way back in 2008. Now, its version is entering a crowded playing field.
There are at least two other “Three-Body Problem” adaptations in the works in China, including a film backed by IP rights holder Yoozoo Group that may have fallen permanently to the wayside and an animated take from Gen Z- and anime-leaning platform Bilibili.
Netflix struck its own deal with Yoozoo to create an English-language adaptation, announcing the project last September. The American version is being co-created by “Game of Thrones” big shots David Benioff and Dan Weiss alongside Alexander Woo (“True Blood”), and will be directed by Hong Kong’s Derek Tsang (“Better Days”).
The streamer recently announced 12 cast members, about a third of whom are of Asian descent. The casting choices have led to some backlash among Chinese fans, who are upset there aren’t more Chinese faces.
The original novel is set almost entirely in China and follows mostly Chinese characters at a period when foreigners were a rarity in the country. The inclusion of so many foreign cast members has led many to express concern that the story will no longer be set primarily in the Middle Kingdom, potentially shearing the tale of its cultural and historical specificities.
“‘Three-Body’ is a story full of Chinese elements told by we Chinese from our Chinese perspective and ways of thinking …to express Chinese people’s values, worldview and view of the universe. These things are very hard for foreigners to express — only we are able to do it,” wrote one popular comment in response to Tencent’s Weibo recent post about the new trailer.
It was outranked by the top comment, liked 27,000 times. It read: “Buck up — you better not lose to Netflix’s nonsense version.”
While nationalist users maintained that only a Chinese production could capture the essence of the story, the novel is set during the Cultural Revolution, which could pose a problem for censors in a Chinese retelling.
On that front, Liu’s material may find itself caught between a rock and a hard place, a few noted. “With the background of the Cultural Revolution, the mainland doesn’t dare shoot it and foreign countries can’t shoot it well,” one Weibo poster lamented.
Most fans said they were looking forward to Tencent’s adaptation, but many expressed concern that the China-made series wouldn’t be able to hold its own when it came to the necessary special effects.
“Netflix has its strengths, and locally produced works have their own advantages,” wrote one commenter tried to calm down a passionate debate. “The audiences for each are different.”
Watch the trailer below.
 
	
	
	Read More About:
	
	
	
	
	
	
	More From Our Brands
	
	
	
	
	
	
	Verify it's you
	
	
	To help keep your account secure, please log-in again.
	
	
	
	Please log in
	
	
	You are no longer onsite at your organization. Please log in.	
	For assistance, contact your corporate administrator.	
	
	
    Your Privacy Choices: Targeted Ad and Personal Information Sale Opt Out (Virginia Residents) As explained in our Privacy Policy, we and our ad partners collect certain information from our visitors through cookies and similar technologies and share it with third parties or combine it with information from other businesses to deliver more relevant ads to you and for related advertising activities. We may also share certain contact information for these purposes. This is known as processing your personal information for targeted ads and may be considered “selling” it under applicable law. We may sell or license certain information, such as contact or subscription information, to third parties to provide you offers and opportunities that may interest you. 
If you are a Virginia resident, to opt out of these activities, use the toggle below. If you want to opt out of our sale or processing that are not cookie based, please complete the below webform. 
  Privacy Policy CDPA Opt-Out    Manage Preferences   Strictly Necessary Cookies   These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.     Allow Targeted Ads or Sale of Personal Information  Allow Targeted Ads or Sale of Personal Information    Move the toggle to the left and click “Confirm My Choices,” to indicate that you do not want us to sell or process your personal information as described above. Please note that you must indicate your choice on each computer/browser used to access our services and fill out the webform for non-cookie-based data.        Performance Cookies
Tencent’s First ‘Three-Body Problem’ Trailer Sparks Rivalry With Netflix’s Adaptation
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/three-body-problem-first-trailer-tencent-netflix-1235108546/
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13016388/
The Three-Body Problem (TV Series 2023– ) - IMDb
2023-04-13
None
<div><div><section><p><a href="/title/tt13016388/episodes?ref_=tt_eps_sm"><h3>Episodes8</h3></a></p><div><p>Browse episodes</p><div><p><a href="/title/tt13016388/episodes?season=1&amp;ref_=tt_eps_sn_1">1 Season</a><a href="/title/tt13016388/episodes?year=2023&amp;ref_=tt_eps_yr_2023">2023</a></p></div></div></section><section><div><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaindex/?ref_=tt_mi_sm"><h3>Photos10</h3></a></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm1420363265/?ref_=tt_md_1"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm1772684801/?ref_=tt_md_2"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm3593864961/?ref_=tt_md_3"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm879100673/?ref_=tt_md_4"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm2122319361/?ref_=tt_md_5"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm3886614017/?ref_=tt_md_6"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm912655105/?ref_=tt_md_7"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm3078559233/?ref_=tt_md_8"></a></div><div><p></p><a href="/title/tt13016388/mediaviewer/rm370283777/?ref_=tt_md_9"></a></div></div></section><section><div><a href="/title/tt13016388/fullcredits/cast/?ref_=tt_cl_sm"><h3>Top cast</h3></a><p><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/updates?edit=tt13016388/cast&amp;ref_=tt_cl">Edit</a></p></div><div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm5234753/?ref_=tt_cl_i_1"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm5234753/?ref_=tt_cl_t_1">Saamer Usmani</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm10810538/?ref_=tt_cl_i_2"></a></div><p><a href="/name/nm10810538/?ref_=tt_cl_t_2">Jess Hong</a></p></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm5381254/?ref_=tt_cl_i_3"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm5381254/?ref_=tt_cl_t_3">Jovan Adepo</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm0001034/?ref_=tt_cl_i_4"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm0001034/?ref_=tt_cl_t_4">Rosalind Chao</a></p><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/characters/nm0001034?ref_=tt_cl_c_4">Ye Wenjie</a></li></ul></div></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm6599324/?ref_=tt_cl_i_5"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm6599324/?ref_=tt_cl_t_5">Sea Shimooka</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm4263213/?ref_=tt_cl_i_6"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm4263213/?ref_=tt_cl_t_6">John Bradley</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm2555462/?ref_=tt_cl_i_7"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm2555462/?ref_=tt_cl_t_7">Eiza González</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm0938950/?ref_=tt_cl_i_8"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm0938950/?ref_=tt_cl_t_8">Benedict Wong</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm0192377/?ref_=tt_cl_i_9"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm0192377/?ref_=tt_cl_t_9">Liam Cunningham</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm5189784/?ref_=tt_cl_i_10"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm5189784/?ref_=tt_cl_t_10">Alex Sharp</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm8439929/?ref_=tt_cl_i_11"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm8439929/?ref_=tt_cl_t_11">Avital Lvova</a></p><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/characters/nm8439929?ref_=tt_cl_c_11">Ramanujan</a></li></ul></div></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm0157796/?ref_=tt_cl_i_12"></a></div><p><a href="/name/nm0157796/?ref_=tt_cl_t_12">Tsai Chin</a></p></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm7251080/?ref_=tt_cl_i_13"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm7251080/?ref_=tt_cl_t_13">Marlo Kelly</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm10981254/?ref_=tt_cl_i_14"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm10981254/?ref_=tt_cl_t_14">Zine Tseng</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm13580290/?ref_=tt_cl_i_15"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm13580290/?ref_=tt_cl_t_15">Andy M Milligan</a></p><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/characters/nm13580290?ref_=tt_cl_c_15">Cult Member</a></li></ul></div></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm0000596/?ref_=tt_cl_i_16"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm0000596/?ref_=tt_cl_t_16">Jonathan Pryce</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm3115493/?ref_=tt_cl_i_17"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm3115493/?ref_=tt_cl_t_17">Ben Schnetzer</a></p></div></div><div><div><p></p><a href="/name/nm0455511/?ref_=tt_cl_i_18"></a></div><div><p><a href="/name/nm0455511/?ref_=tt_cl_t_18">Edmund Kingsley</a></p><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/characters/nm0455511?ref_=tt_cl_c_18">Jeremiah</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm">All cast &amp; crew</a><a href="/title/tt13016388/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm"></a></li><li><a href="https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt13016388/?rf=cons_tt_btf_cc&amp;ref_=cons_tt_btf_cc">Production, box office &amp; more at IMDbPro</a><a href="https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt13016388/?rf=cons_tt_btf_cc&amp;ref_=cons_tt_btf_cc"></a></li></ul></section><section><div><hgroup><h3>More like this</h3></hgroup></div><div><div><div><div></div><p></p><a href="/title/tt20242042/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_1"></a></div><p>7.8</p><p><a href="/title/tt20242042/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_1">Three-Body</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><p></p><a href="/title/tt4547948/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_2"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt4547948/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_2">The Three-Body Problem: I</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><p></p><a href="/title/tt24244206/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_3"></a></div><p>3.0</p><p><a href="/title/tt24244206/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_3">Three-Body</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><p></p><a href="/title/tt7471650/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_4"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt7471650/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_4">Three-Body Problem</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><a href="/title/tt20422922/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_5"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt20422922/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_5">El problema de los tres cuerpos</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><a href="/title/tt7539168/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_6"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt7539168/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_6">Wytches</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><a href="/title/tt9860834/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_7"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt9860834/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_7">Untitled Chris Cornell Documentary</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><a href="/title/tt9461160/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_8"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt9461160/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_8">Wolf Country</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><a href="/title/tt9281458/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_9"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt9281458/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_9">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><a href="/title/tt3677548/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_10"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt3677548/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_10">Dirty White Boys</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><p></p><a href="/title/tt8829226/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_11"></a></div><p>8.4</p><p><a href="/title/tt8829226/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_11">My Three Body</a></p></div><div><div><div></div><a href="/title/tt0775433/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_i_12"></a></div><p><a href="/title/tt0775433/?ref_=tt_sims_tt_t_12">Black Hole</a></p></div></div></section><div><hgroup><h3>Storyline</h3></hgroup><p><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/updates?edit=tt13016388/storyline&amp;ref_=tt_stry">Edit</a></p></div><section><div><hgroup><h3>Did you know</h3></hgroup><p><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/updates?edit=tt13016388/fun-facts&amp;ref_=tt_trv_trv">Edit</a></p></div><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/movieconnections/?ref_=tt_trv_cnn">Connections</a><div><p>Version of <a href="/title/tt24244206/?ref_=tt_trv_cnn">Three-Body</a> (2022)</p></div><a href="/title/tt13016388/movieconnections/?ref_=tt_trv_cnn"></a></li></ul></div></section><div><div><a href="/what-to-watch/top-picks/?ref_=tt_tpks_sm"><h3>Top picks</h3></a><p>Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations</p></div><p><a href="/registration/signin?ref_=tt_tpks_signin">Sign in</a></p></div><section><h2>New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy</h2><div><div><h2>New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy</h2><div><p>See which new and upcoming science fiction and fantasy movies and series are on our Watchlists.</p></div><p><a href="/whats-on-tv/sci-fi-fantasy-picks/ls569369100/mediaviewer/rm2883337473?ref_=tt_eds_center-8_ecw_lst_scifi_cta">See our picks</a></p></div><div><p></p><a href="/whats-on-tv/sci-fi-fantasy-picks/ls569369100/mediaviewer/rm2883337473?ref_=tt_eds_center-8_ecw_lst_scifi_i"><div><p>List</p></div></a></div></div></section><section><div><hgroup><h3>Details</h3></hgroup><p><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/updates?edit=tt13016388/details&amp;ref_=tt_dt_dt">Edit</a></p></div><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_dt_rdat">Release date</a><div><ul><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_dt_rdat">2023 (United States)</a></li></ul></div><a href="/title/tt13016388/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_dt_rdat"></a></li><li>Country of origin<div><ul><li><a href="/search/title/?country_of_origin=US&amp;ref_=tt_dt_cn">United States</a></li></ul></div></li><li>Language<div><ul><li><a href="/search/title?title_type=feature&amp;primary_language=en&amp;sort=moviemeter,asc&amp;ref_=tt_dt_ln">English</a></li></ul></div></li><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_dt_aka#akas">Also known as</a><div><ul><li>3 Body Problem</li></ul></div><a href="/title/tt13016388/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_dt_aka#akas"></a></li><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/locations?ref_=tt_dt_loc">Filming locations</a><div><ul><li><a href="/search/title?locations=UK&amp;ref_=tt_dt_loc">UK</a></li></ul></div><a href="/title/tt13016388/locations?ref_=tt_dt_loc"></a></li><li><a href="/title/tt13016388/companycredits?ref_=tt_dt_co">Production companies</a><div><ul><li><a href="/company/co0343278?ref_=tt_dt_co_1">Bighead Littlehead</a></li><li><a href="/company/co0136967?ref_=tt_dt_co_2">Plan B Entertainment</a></li><li><a href="/company/co0873349?ref_=tt_dt_co_3">Primitive Streak</a></li></ul></div><a href="/title/tt13016388/companycredits?ref_=tt_dt_co"></a></li><li><a href="https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt13016388/companycredits?rf=cons_tt_cocred_tt&amp;ref_=cons_tt_cocred_tt">See more company credits at IMDbPro</a><a href="https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt13016388/companycredits?rf=cons_tt_cocred_tt&amp;ref_=cons_tt_cocred_tt"></a></li></ul></div></section><section><div><a href="/title/tt13016388/technical?ref_=tt_spec_sm"><h3>Technical specs</h3></a><p><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/updates?edit=tt13016388/technical&amp;ref_=tt_spec">Edit</a></p></div><div><ul><li>Runtime<div><p>1</p> <p>hour</p></div></li><li>Color<div><ul><li><a href="/search/title/?colors=color&amp;ref_=tt_spec_att">Color</a></li></ul></div></li><li>Sound mix<div><ul><li><a href="/search/title/?sound_mixes=dolby_atmos&amp;ref_=tt_spec_att">Dolby Atmos</a></li><li><a href="/search/title/?sound_mixes=dolby_digital&amp;ref_=tt_spec_att">Dolby Digital</a></li></ul></div></li></ul></div></section><section><p><a href="/title/tt13016388/news/?ref_=tt_nwr_sm"><h3>Related news</h3></a></p></section><section><div><hgroup><h3>Contribute to this page</h3></hgroup><p>Suggest an edit or add missing content</p></div><div><div><p></p></div><div><div><p>Top Gap</p></div><p>By what name was The Three-Body Problem (2023) officially released in India in English?</p><p><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/answers?pinnedQuestion=tt13016388.title_aka.IN.en-US&amp;ref_=tt_ans_q">Answer</a></p></div></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/answers?ref_=tt_all_gaps">See more gaps</a><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/answers?ref_=tt_all_gaps"></a></li><li><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/czone?ref_=tt_cn_cz">Learn more about contributing</a><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/czone?ref_=tt_cn_cz"></a></li></ul></div><p><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/updates?ref_=tt_cn_edt&amp;edit=legacy%2Ftitle%2Ftt13016388%2F">Edit page</a><a href="https://contribute.imdb.com/updates?ref_=tt_cn_eps&amp;update=episode&amp;parent=tt13016388">Add episode</a></p></section></div></div>||||I|||| Menu
 Movies
 Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight
 TV Shows
 What's on TV & Streaming Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Browse TV Shows by Genre TV News India TV Spotlight
 Watch
 What to Watch Latest Trailers IMDb Originals IMDb Picks IMDb Podcasts
 Awards & Events
 Oscars SXSW Star Wars Celebration Cannes STARmeter Awards Awards Central Festival Central All Events
 Celebs
 Born Today Most Popular Celebs Most Popular Celebs Celebrity News
 Community
 Help Center Contributor Zone Polls
 For Industry Professionals
 All
 * All
 * Titles
 * TV Episodes
 * Celebs
 * Companies
 * Keywords
 * 
 Advanced Search
 Watchlist
 Sign In
 Sign In
 New Customer? Create account
 EN
 * Fully supported
 * 
 * English (United States)
 * 
 Partially supported
 * 
 * Français (Canada)
 * Français (France)
 * Deutsch (Deutschland)
 * हिंदी (भारत)
 * Italiano (Italia)
 * Português (Brasil)
 * Español (España)
 * Español (México)
 Episode guide 8
 * Cast & crew
 IMDbPro
 All topics

 The Three-Body Problem

 * TV Series
 * 2023–
 * 1h
 POPULARITY
 1,275
 72
 Adventure Drama Fantasy

 Humanity's first contact with an alien civilization. Humanity's first contact with an alien civilization. Humanity's first contact with an alien civilization.

 * Stars
 + Saamer Usmani
 + Jess Hong
 + Jovan Adepo
 * See production, box office & company info
 POPULARITY
 1,275
 72
 Top credits
 * Stars
 + Saamer Usmani
 + Jess Hong
 + Jovan Adepo
 Add to Watchlist
 Added by 7.6K users
 * See production, box office & company info
 * See more at IMDbPro

 Episodes 8

 Browse episodes
 1 Season 2023

 Photos 10

 Top cast

 Edit
 Saamer Usmani 8 eps • 2023 8 episodes • 2023
 Jess Hong 8 eps • 2023 8 episodes • 2023
 Jovan Adepo 7 eps • 2023 7 episodes • 2023
 Rosalind Chao
 * Ye Wenjie
 6 eps • 2023 6 episodes • 2023
 Sea Shimooka 6 eps 6 episodes
 John Bradley 4 eps • 2023 4 episodes • 2023
 Eiza González 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Benedict Wong 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Liam Cunningham 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Alex Sharp 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Avital Lvova
 * Ramanujan
 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Tsai Chin 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Marlo Kelly 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Zine Tseng 3 eps • 2023 3 episodes • 2023
 Andy M Milligan
 * Cult Member
 2 eps 2 episodes
 Jonathan Pryce 1 ep • 2023 1 episode • 2023
 Ben Schnetzer 1 ep • 2023 1 episode • 2023
 Edmund Kingsley
 * Jeremiah
 1 ep • 2023 1 episode • 2023
 * All cast & crew
 * Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

 More like this

 7.8
 Three-Body
 Watch options
 The Three-Body Problem: I
 Watchlist
 3.0
 Three-Body
 Watchlist
 Three-Body Problem
 Watchlist
 El problema de los tres cuerpos
 Watchlist
 Wytches
 Watchlist
 Untitled Chris Cornell Documentary
 Watchlist
 Wolf Country
 Watchlist
 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
 Watchlist
 Dirty White Boys
 Watchlist
 8.4
 My Three Body
 Watchlist
 Black Hole
 Watchlist

 Storyline

 Edit

 Did you know

 Edit
 * Connections
 Version of Three-Body (2022)

 Top picks

 Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
 Sign in

 New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy

 New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy

 See which new and upcoming science fiction and fantasy movies and series are on our Watchlists.
 See our picks
 List

 Details

 Edit
 * Release date
 + 2023 (United States)
 * Country of origin
 + United States
 * Language
 + English
 * Also known as
 + 3 Body Problem
 * Filming locations
 + UK
 * Production companies
 + Bighead Littlehead
 + Plan B Entertainment
 + Primitive Streak
 * See more company credits at IMDbPro

 Technical specs

 Edit
 * Runtime
 1 hour
 * Color
 + Color
 * Sound mix
 + Dolby Atmos
 + Dolby Digital

 Related news

 Contribute to this page

 Suggest an edit or add missing content
 Top Gap
 By what name was The Three-Body Problem (2023) officially released in India in English?
 Answer
 * See more gaps
 * Learn more about contributing
 Edit page Add episode

 More to explore

 Back to top

 Recently viewed

 Clear all
 The Three-Body Problem
 A Face in the Crowd
 Luxuria
 Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
 Get the IMDb App
 Sign in for more access Sign in for more access
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * Get the IMDb App
 * Help
 * Site Index
 * IMDbPro
 * Box Office Mojo
 * IMDb Developer
 * Press Room
 * Advertising
 * Jobs
 * Conditions of Use
 * Privacy Policy
 * Your Ads Privacy Choices

 © 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.

Episodes8    Browse episodes   1 Season 2023        Photos10                                                               Top cast   Edit             Saamer Usmani            Jess Hong            Jovan Adepo             Rosalind Chao     Ye Wenjie               Sea Shimooka             John Bradley             Eiza González             Benedict Wong             Liam Cunningham             Alex Sharp             Avital Lvova     Ramanujan              Tsai Chin            Marlo Kelly             Zine Tseng             Andy M Milligan     Cult Member               Jonathan Pryce             Ben Schnetzer             Edmund Kingsley     Jeremiah         All cast &amp; crew     Production, box office &amp; more at IMDbPro         More like this             7.8  Three-Body             The Three-Body Problem: I            3.0  Three-Body             Three-Body Problem           El problema de los tres cuerpos           Wytches           Untitled Chris Cornell Documentary           Wolf Country           The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time           Dirty White Boys            8.4  My Three Body           Black Hole       Storyline   Edit      Did you know   Edit      Connections  Version of Three-Body (2022)           Top picks  Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations   Sign in    New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy   New and Upcoming Science Fiction and Fantasy  See which new and upcoming science fiction and fantasy movies and series are on our Watchlists.   See our picks        List         Details   Edit      Release date    2023 (United States)       Country of origin   United States     Language   English      Also known as   3 Body Problem       Filming locations    UK        Production companies    Bighead Littlehead   Plan B Entertainment   Primitive Streak        See more company credits at IMDbPro          Technical specs   Edit     Runtime 1 hour   Color   Color     Sound mix   Dolby Atmos   Dolby Digital           Related news       Contribute to this page  Suggest an edit or add missing content         Top Gap  By what name was The Three-Body Problem (2023) officially released in India in English?  Answer       See more gaps     Learn more about contributing       Edit page Add episode
The Three-Body Problem (TV Series 2023– ) - IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13016388/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/03/magazine/ken-liu-three-body-problem-chinese-science-fiction.html
How Chinese Sci-Fi Conquered America (Published 2019)
2019-12-03
Alexandra Alter
<div><div><div>
The New York Times: Digital and Home Delivery Subscriptions
 
 
 
 <div>
 <hr />
 <p>Offer for a New York Times News subscription; current subscribers not eligible. Subscription excludes print edition. Subscription also excludes digital access to New York Times Games, Cooking, Wirecutter or The Athletic. Your payment method will automatically be charged in advance the introductory rate of $4 every 4 weeks for 1 year, and after 1 year the standard rate of $17 every 4 weeks. Your subscription will continue until you <a href="https://help.nytimes.com/hc/en-us/articles/115014893968-Terms-of-sale#cancellation">cancel</a>. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. Taxes may apply. Offer terms are subject to change.</p>
 </div>
 <p>
 
 
 plus-icon
 
 
 
 
 
 check
 
 
 
 </p>
</div><div><p>Subscribe to The Times to read (and print) as many articles as you’d like.</p><p>nytimes.com/subscription</p></div></div>||||I|||| Sections
 SEARCH
 Skip to content
 Log in
 Magazine | How Chinese Sci-Fi Conquered America
 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/03/magazine/ken-liu-three-body-problem-chinese-science-fiction.html
 * Give this article Give this article Give this article
 * 
 * 
 * 88

 Ken Liu outside his home in Stoughton, Mass. Credit... Amani Willett for The New York Times

 Feature

 How Chinese Sci-Fi Conquered America

 The translator Ken Liu has done more than anyone to bridge the gap between Chinese science fiction and American readers.

 Ken Liu outside his home in Stoughton, Mass. Credit... Amani Willett for The New York Times

 Supported by

 Continue reading the main story

 * Send any friend a story

 As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.

 Give this article Give this article Give this article
 * 
 * 
 * 88
 * Read in app

 By Alexandra Alter

 * Dec. 3, 2019
 阅读简体中文版閱讀繁體中文版

 I n the fall of 2012, Ken Liu received an intriguing offer from a Chinese company with a blandly bureaucratic name: China Educational Publications Import and Export Corporation, Ltd. It was seeking an English-language translator for a trippy science-fiction novel titled “The Three-Body Problem.” Liu — an American computer programmer turned corporate lawyer turned science-fiction writer — was a natural choice: fluent in Mandarin, familiar with Chinese sci-fi tropes and culture and a rising star in the genre. Liu had only translated short fiction at the time, though, and capturing the novel in all its complexity seemed daunting.

 “The Three-Body Problem” was unlike anything Liu had ever read. A mind-bending epic set in Beijing, Inner Mongolia and on a distant planet, the novel was full of heady technical passages about quantum theory, nanotechnology, orbital mechanics and astrophysics, intertwined with profound moral questions about the nature of good and evil and humanity’s place in the universe.

 Advertisement

 Continue reading the main story

 Comments 88

 How Chinese Sci-Fi Conquered AmericaSkip to Comments
 The comments section is closed. To submit a letter to the editor for publication, write to letters@nytimes.com.
 Subscribe to The Times to read as many articles as you like.
 nytimes.com/subscription

 Site Index

 Site Information Navigation

 * © 2023 The New York Times Company
 * NYTCo
 * Contact Us
 * Accessibility
 * Work with us
 * Advertise
 * T Brand Studio
 * Your Ad Choices
 * Privacy Policy
 * Terms of Service
 * Terms of Sale
 * Site Map
 * Canada
 * International
 * Help
 * Subscriptions
 You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.

 BASIC SUBSCRIPTION

 Special offer:

 Get unlimited News access for $1 a week.

 $4.25 $1/week

 Billed as $17 $4 every 4 weeks for the first year.

 You can cancel anytime.

 SUBSCRIBE NOW

 You can cancel anytime.

 Offer Link

 Offer for a New York Times News subscription; current subscribers not eligible. Subscription excludes print edition. Subscription also excludes digital access to New York Times Games, Cooking, Wirecutter or The Athletic. Your payment method will automatically be charged in advance the introductory rate of $4 every 4 weeks for 1 year, and after 1 year the standard rate of $17 every 4 weeks. Your subscription will continue until you cancel. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. Taxes may apply. Offer terms are subject to change.

 © 2023 The New York Times Company HelpFeedback
 Your tracker settings
 We use cookies and similar methods to recognize visitors and remember their preferences. We also use them to measure ad campaign effectiveness, target ads and analyze site traffic. To learn more about these methods, including how to disable them, view our Cookie Policy.

 By clicking "accept", you consent to the processing of your data by us and third parties using the above methods. You can always change your tracker preferences by visiting our Cookie Policy.
 ACCEPT REJECT
 Subscribe to The Times to read (and print) as many articles as you’d like.

 nytimes.com/subscription
The New York Times: Digital and Home Delivery Subscriptions
 
 
 
 
 
 Offer for a New York Times News subscription; current subscribers not eligible. Subscription excludes print edition. Subscription also excludes digital access to New York Times Games, Cooking, Wirecutter or The Athletic. Your payment method will automatically be charged in advance the introductory rate of $4 every 4 weeks for 1 year, and after 1 year the standard rate of $17 every 4 weeks. Your subscription will continue until you cancel. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. Taxes may apply. Offer terms are subject to change.
 
 
 
 
 plus-icon
 
 
 
 
 
 check
 
 
 
 
  Subscribe to The Times to read (and print) as many articles as you’d like. nytimes.com/subscription
How Chinese Sci-Fi Conquered America (Published 2019)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/03/magazine/ken-liu-three-body-problem-chinese-science-fiction.html
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Body-Problem-Cixin-Liu/dp/0765382032
Amazon.com: The Three-Body Problem: 9780765382030: Liu, Cixin, Liu, Ken: Books
2016-01-12
Cixin Liu
<div><div><div>
<p>
</p>
</div>
<div><div><p><h3>Reviews with images</h3></p></div><div><div><h3>Submit a report</h3><p></p></div><div><p>Sorry we couldn't load the review</p></div><div><p>Thank you for your feedback</p></div><div><h3>Sorry, there was an error</h3><p></p></div></div></div>
<p>
</p></div></div>||||I|||| Skip to main content
 .us
 Delivering to Columbus 43215 Update location
 Books
 All Departments Alexa Skills Amazon Devices Amazon Fresh Amazon Pharmacy Amazon Warehouse Appliances Apps & Games Arts, Crafts & Sewing Audible Books & Originals Automotive Parts & Accessories Baby Beauty & Personal Care Books CDs & Vinyl Cell Phones & Accessories Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry Women Men Girls Boys Baby Collectibles & Fine Art Computers Credit and Payment Cards Digital Music Electronics Garden & Outdoor Gift Cards Grocery & Gourmet Food Handmade Health, Household & Baby Care Home & Business Services Home & Kitchen Industrial & Scientific Just for Prime Kindle Store Luggage & Travel Gear Luxury Stores Magazine Subscriptions Movies & TV Musical Instruments Office Products Pet Supplies Premium Beauty Prime Video Smart Home Software Sports & Outdoors Subscribe & Save Subscription Boxes Tools & Home Improvement Toys & Games Under $10 Video Games Whole Foods Market
 EN
 Hello, sign in
 Account & Lists Returns & Orders
 0
 Cart
 All
 Disability Customer Support Medical Care Groceries Best Sellers Amazon Basics Today's Deals Registry New Releases Prime Customer Service Music Books Pharmacy Amazon Home Fashion Gift Cards Find a Gift Luxury Stores Toys & Games Sell Smart Home Beauty & Personal Care Coupons Automotive Works with Alexa Computers Home Improvement Household, Health & Baby Care Video Games Pet Supplies Sports & Outdoors
 Shop Winter Sale
 Books Kindle Rewards Advanced Search New Releases Best Sellers & More Amazon Book Clubs Children's Books Textbooks Textbook Rentals Best Books of the Month Best Books of 2023
 * Books
 * ›
 * Science Fiction & Fantasy
 * ›
 * Science Fiction

 Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
 Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

 Kindle
 $11.99
 Available instantly
 Audiobook
 $0.00
 with membership trial
 Hardcover
 $21.05
 Paperback
 $8.32
 Other Used, New, Collectible from $4.18
 Paperback from $4.18
 Hardcover from $10.15
 Digital from $999.99
 * Delivery
 * Pickup

 Buy new:

 $8.32 $8.32

 FREE delivery: Friday, Jan 12 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.

 Ships from: Amazon.com
 Sold by: Amazon.com

 List Price: $18.99 Details

 The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
 Learn more
 Save: $10.67 (56%)
 Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
 Return this item for free
 * Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
 * Learn more about free returns.
 How to return the item?
 FREE delivery Friday, January 12 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
 Or fastest delivery Tuesday, January 9 . Order within 4 hrs 2 mins
 Delivering to Columbus 43215 - Update location
 In Stock
 Qty: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 Qty: 1
 $ $8.32 8 . 32 ( ) Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly
Reviews with images     Submit a report     Sorry we couldn't load the review   Thank you for your feedback   Sorry, there was an error
Amazon.com: The Three-Body Problem: 9780765382030: Liu, Cixin, Liu, Ken: Books
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Body-Problem-Cixin-Liu/dp/0765382032
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765382030/thethreebodyproblem
The Three-Body Problem
2021-07-20
None
<div><section>
<header>
<h2>Book details</h2>
</header>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<p>
</p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<h3>About This Book</h3>
<div><p><strong>The inspiration for the Netflix series <em>3 Body Problem</em>!</strong></p><p><strong>WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL</strong></p><p><strong>Over 1 million copies sold...</strong></p></div>
</div> </div>
</div>
<div>
<h2>Book Details</h2>
<div><p><strong>The inspiration for the Netflix series <em>3 Body Problem</em>!</strong></p><p><strong>WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL</strong></p><p><strong>Over 1 million copies sold in North America</strong></p><p><strong>“A mind-bending epic.”</strong>—<em>The New York Times</em><strong> • “<em>War of the Worlds</em> for the 21st century.”</strong>—<em>The Wall Street Journal</em><strong> • “Fascinating.”</strong>—<em>TIME</em><strong> • “Extraordinary.”</strong>—<em>The New Yorker</em><strong> • “Wildly imaginative.”</strong>—Barack Obama<strong> • “Provocative.”</strong>—<em>Slate</em><strong> • “A breakthrough book.”</strong>—George R. R. Martin<strong> • “Impossible to put down.”</strong>—<em>GQ</em><strong> • “Absolutely mind-unfolding.”</strong>—<em>NPR</em><strong> • “You should be reading Liu Cixin.”</strong>—<em>The Washington Post</em></p><p><strong><em>The Three-Body Problem</em> is the first novel in the groundbreaking, Hugo Award-winning series from China's most beloved science fiction author, Cixin Liu.</strong></p><p>Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.</p><p><strong><u>The Three-Body Problem Series</u></strong><br/><em>The Three-Body Problem</em><br/><em>The Dark Forest</em><br/><em>Death's End</em></p><p><strong><u>Other Books by Cixin Liu</u></strong><br/><em>Ball Lightning</em> <br/><em>Supernova Era<br/>To Hold Up the Sky</em><br/><em>The Wandering Earth</em><br/><em>A View from the Stars</em></p></div> <div>
<p>Imprint Publisher</p>
<p>Tor Books</p>
</div>
</div> <div>
<h2>In The News</h2>
<div><p>Praise for the Three-Body Problem series:</p><p>"Wildly imaginative."—President Barack Obama</p><p>“A mind-bending epic.”—The New York Times</p><p>“Absolutely mind-unfolding. . . . a science-fiction epic of the most profound kind.”—NPR</p><p>“A breakthrough book . . . a unique blend of scientific and philosophical speculation, politics and history, conspiracy theory and cosmology.”—George R. R. Martin</p><p>"Liu Cixin's writing evokes the thrill of exploration and the beauty of scale. . . . Extraordinary."—The New Yorker</p><p>“[Liu turns] technically complex and existentially dreadful ideas into books that are impossible to put down.”—GQ</p><p>“A fascinating novel of ideas."–TIME</p><p>"The best kind of science fiction, familiar but strange all at the same time."—Kim Stanley Robinson</p><p>"Remarkable, revelatory, and not to be missed."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review</p><p>"Fans of hard SF will revel in this intricate and imaginative novel."—Publishers Weekly, starred review</p><p>“<em>War of the Worlds</em> for the 21st century.”—Wall Street Journal</p><p>“Liu’s picture of humanity’s place in the cosmos is among the biggest, boldest and most disturbing we’ve seen.”—Los Angeles Times</p><p>“Provocative.”—Slate</p><p>“A gripping and haunting sci-fi mystery.”—Cosmopolitan</p><p>"A must-read in any language."—Booklist</p></div>
</div>
<div>
<h2>About the Creators</h2>
<ul>
<li>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</section></div>||||I||||Skip to Main Content

 We have updated the terms of our Privacy Notice . Click here for more details: https://us.macmillan.com/privacy-notice .

 Macmillan

 We have updated the terms of our Privacy Notice . Click here for more details: https://us.macmillan.com/privacy-notice .

 Macmillan
 * Books
 + Books
 o Top Sellers
 o New Releases
 o Award Winners
 o Coming Soon
 o View All Books
 o View All Genres
 + 
 * Kids
 + Kids
 o Top Sellers
 o New Releases
 o Award Winners
 o Coming Soon
 o Activity Guides
 o Board Books
 o Comics & Graphic Novels
 o View All
 + 
 * Authors & Events
 + Authors & Events
 o All Authors
 o Events & Tours
 * Publishers
 + Publishers
 o Celadon Books
 o Farrar, Straus & Giroux
 o Flatiron Books
 o Henry Holt
 o Macmillan Audio
 o Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
 o The St. Martin’s Publishing Group
 o Tor Publishing Group
 * For Readers
 + Book Clubs
 o Reading Group Gold
 + Blogs & Community Sites
 o Criminal Element
 o Fierce Reads
 o Reactor
 o The History Reader
 o Work In Progress
 + Stay Connected
 o Newsletters & Alerts
 * Recommendations
 + Recommendations
 o Read Banned Books
 o Celebrate Black Voices
 o Celebrate Women’s History
 o Celebrate AAPI Heritage
 o Celebrate Pride
 o Holiday Gift Guide

Book details

 The Three-Body Problem

 The Three-Body Problem Series (Volume 1)

 Author: Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu

 Award Winner

 Read Excerpt


















































































































































































 The Three-Body Problem

 $18.99

 Available in Digital Audio!

 Trade Paperbacke-BookHardcoverDigital AudioCompact DiscDigital Audio Format
 Buy Now
 Reviews
 Listen to Excerpt

 About This Book

 The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem!

 WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL

 Over 1 million copies sold...

 Read More
 Page Count
 416
 Genre
 Science Fiction
 On Sale
 01/12/2016

 Book Details

 The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem!

 WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL

 Over 1 million copies sold in North America

 “A mind-bending epic.”—The New York Times • “War of the Worlds for the 21st century.”—The Wall Street Journal • “Fascinating.”—TIME • “Extraordinary.”—The New Yorker • “Wildly imaginative.”—Barack Obama • “Provocative.”—Slate • “A breakthrough book.”—George R. R. Martin • “Impossible to put down.”—GQ • “Absolutely mind-unfolding.”—NPR • “You should be reading Liu Cixin.”—The Washington Post

 The Three-Body Problem is the first novel in the groundbreaking, Hugo Award-winning series from China's most beloved science fiction author, Cixin Liu.

 Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.

 The Three-Body Problem Series
 The Three-Body Problem
 The Dark Forest
 Death's End

 Other Books by Cixin Liu
 Ball Lightning
 Supernova Era
 To Hold Up the Sky
 The Wandering Earth
 A View from the Stars

 Imprint Publisher

 Tor Books

 ISBN

 9780765382030

 In The News

 Praise for the Three-Body Problem series:

 "Wildly imaginative."—President Barack Obama

 “A mind-bending epic.”—The New York Times

 “Absolutely mind-unfolding. . . . a science-fiction epic of the most profound kind.”—NPR

 “A breakthrough book . . . a unique blend of scientific and philosophical speculation, politics and history, conspiracy theory and cosmology.”—George R. R. Martin

 "Liu Cixin's writing evokes the thrill of exploration and the beauty of scale. . . . Extraordinary."—The New Yorker

 “[Liu turns] technically complex and existentially dreadful ideas into books that are impossible to put down.”—GQ

 “A fascinating novel of ideas."–TIME

 "The best kind of science fiction, familiar but strange all at the same time."—Kim Stanley Robinson

 "Remarkable, revelatory, and not to be missed."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 "Fans of hard SF will revel in this intricate and imaginative novel."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

 “War of the Worlds for the 21st century.”—Wall Street Journal

 “Liu’s picture of humanity’s place in the cosmos is among the biggest, boldest and most disturbing we’ve seen.”—Los Angeles Times

 “Provocative.”—Slate

 “A gripping and haunting sci-fi mystery.”—Cosmopolitan

 "A must-read in any language."—Booklist

 Show More Show Less

 About the Creators

 * Author

 The Three-Body Problem

 $18.99

 Available in Digital Audio!

 Trade Paperbacke-BookHardcoverDigital AudioCompact DiscDigital Audio Format
 Buy Now
 Reviews
 Listen to Excerpt
 The Three-Body Problem
 00:00
 /
 00:00

 About

 * About Us
 * Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
 * News & Press
 * Publishers & Distribution Clients
 * Sustainability
 * Careers
 * Contact Us
 * Macmillan Code of Conduct
 * Macmillan Code of Ethics for Business Partners

 Help

 * Catalogs
 * Bookseller Services
 * International Sales
 * Special Markets
 * Academic & Library Services
 * Macmillan Speakers
 * Macmillan Distribution UK (MDL)
 * Alternate Format Request
 * Permissions Request Form
 * Publishing Fraud Alert

 Newsletter Signup

 United States United Kingdom Canada Other
 Select Your Country*

 Your Email Address*
 View Newsletters
 opens in a new window
 opens in a new window
 opens in a new window
 opens in a new window
 opens in a new window
 opens in a new window
 opens in a new window
 * Privacy Notice
 * Your Privacy Choices
 * Ads & Cookies
 * Terms of Use
 * Piracy
 * Corporate Site

 © 2024 Macmillan Publishers

 Powered by Supadu

Book details
About This Book
  The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem!   WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL   Over 1 million copies sold...  
 
Book Details
  The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem!   WINNER OF THE HUGO AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL   Over 1 million copies sold in North America   “A mind-bending epic.”—The New York Times  • “War of the Worlds for the 21st century.”—The Wall Street Journal  • “Fascinating.”—TIME  • “Extraordinary.”—The New Yorker  • “Wildly imaginative.”—Barack Obama • “Provocative.”—Slate  • “A breakthrough book.”—George R. R. Martin • “Impossible to put down.”—GQ  • “Absolutely mind-unfolding.”—NPR  • “You should be reading Liu Cixin.”—The Washington Post    The Three-Body Problem is the first novel in the groundbreaking, Hugo Award-winning series from China's most beloved science fiction author, Cixin Liu.  Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.   The Three-Body Problem Series   The Three-Body Problem  The Dark Forest  Death's End    Other Books by Cixin Liu   Ball Lightning  Supernova EraTo Hold Up the Sky  The Wandering Earth  A View from the Stars   
Imprint Publisher
Tor Books
 
In The News
 Praise for the Three-Body Problem series: "Wildly imaginative."—President Barack Obama “A mind-bending epic.”—The New York Times “Absolutely mind-unfolding. . . . a science-fiction epic of the most profound kind.”—NPR “A breakthrough book . . . a unique blend of scientific and philosophical speculation, politics and history, conspiracy theory and cosmology.”—George R. R. Martin "Liu Cixin's writing evokes the thrill of exploration and the beauty of scale. . . . Extraordinary."—The New Yorker “[Liu turns] technically complex and existentially dreadful ideas into books that are impossible to put down.”—GQ “A fascinating novel of ideas."–TIME "The best kind of science fiction, familiar but strange all at the same time."—Kim Stanley Robinson "Remarkable, revelatory, and not to be missed."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Fans of hard SF will revel in this intricate and imaginative novel."—Publishers Weekly, starred review “War of the Worlds for the 21st century.”—Wall Street Journal “Liu’s picture of humanity’s place in the cosmos is among the biggest, boldest and most disturbing we’ve seen.”—Los Angeles Times “Provocative.”—Slate “A gripping and haunting sci-fi mystery.”—Cosmopolitan "A must-read in any language."—Booklist 
About the Creators
The Three-Body Problem
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765382030/thethreebodyproblem