Review: The Three-Body Problem

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hooter: An interplay between thereotical physics and its application in the backdrop of the Chinese Cultural Revolution

Liu takes in a very imaginative approach of juxtaposing Chinese Cultural Revolution, thereotical physics and its application into a science fiction potboiler that transcends multiple planes. After the witch-hunt of the educated and scientifically accomplished, Ye Wenjie has a scarred past. She grabs the opportunity to work in a secretive army installation even if it means never stepping back to the regular world. Solving for solar flare ups impacting transmissions seems to be her regular pre-occupation.

As the author puts the pieces together of a game called the three body problem that seems to be getting all the intellectuals hooked into this immersive experience, the secretive Chinese Government opening up to international support on a common case and all of this playing into science that has an explaination. Leaving all the spoilers out in this review, the science behind this science fiction plays a prominent role and makes for interesting reading as it tries to extrapolate that into the real world and all the mysticism ties back to the same. A mix of historical and science fiction makes for an interesting read as one delves into more philosophical questions about us as a race and the role we play.

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