The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu
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- RT Mal
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The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu
Science fiction allows us to explore potential futures, technological advances and theory, as well as giving us insight into the human condition and testing the bounds of what that really means. Personally, I am a fan of most science fiction, from my massive collection of Star Wars books, to the classics such as The Foundation series, War of the Worlds, and the like. However, I never really considered just how deeply my own personal understanding of what it means to live here with all of you until I read The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu. Written originally in Chinese, later translated into English by the author's brother, this gives an amazing insight into the Red Revolution in China before showing even a hint of science fiction. It is a topic that my education in Western Society touched on, but never really delved into, and after this book I wish it had. The persecution academia faced when they taught, thought, or spoke about Western Science was horrible. And it is from this maelstrom of persecution that sets up the major themes of the novel.
We follow a few different characters throughout the novel, time jumping here and there between the Revolution and Modern times, and the author/translator made the transitions seemless. I kid you not, this is a book that I had to fight myself in order to put down and sleep or do anything else for that matter. Following the similar, but contextually different trials and paths the characters face was more than just idle writing, it was engulfing and luring me in. But where I really got hooked, and admitted that I couldn't think about anything else until I reached the end, was when the discussion took a turn towards the debate between Applied and Theoretical Sciences, and how the same arguments of generations past keep creeping back into the system.
You may get to this point in my review and ask, well RT, where is the science fiction? This sounds like a bunch of history and actual science? Exactly. This novel pivots from history, to science, to politics, to fiction so easily, that you often forget where you are in it all. But alas, I will not spoil the ride for you too much. If you want your own understanding of the world, its people, and your beliefs challenged by a novel claiming to be pure science fiction, then I urge you to seek out The Three Body Problem, its even available on Audible (read by Luke Daniels - one of my personal favorites from the Iron Druid Chronicles).
This review may seem lackluster, but again trust me when I say that if I told you the pieces that make this science fiction, I would be giving away too much of the book, and the discovery you can make yourself!
May your pages never tear, and you minds never go wanting for that next adventure!
RT Mal
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