The Three-Body Problem by Liu CixinMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
As a disclaimer, this written review is done after my second read-through of this book. Having never gotten around to the rest of the trilogy, and the upcoming Netflix series that will sit on the 'My List' query for years before I watch it, I felt I needed to re-familiarize myself with the book before proceeding to the other two.
I vividly remember reading the first chapter of this book years ago. It was shortly after it won the Hugo and I read the first chapter to see what all the fuss was about. I remember the insanely good imagery and prose before literally uttering the words "Fuck this is good." Years later, my reaction might be more reserved but my opinion of this novel remains the same. "The Three-Body Problem" is a great book.
The first thing that makes this book a must-read is its insight into modern Chinese history. With the country being blocked off from the rest of the world for so long, there might be a lack of insight into points of historical reference the author is working from. However, the workings of the book are so good that these flashes into Chinese history and culture aren't just token references. They are woven expertly into the fabric of the novel and set the stage for a deep involving story.
The second thing to admire about this novel is its love for science. I mean this book loooooves science. The author, Liu Cixin, loves science so much I'm surprised there isn't a mock wedding between him and science. While poking fun is perfectly allowed, what is actually admirable is the intelligence the science is given. I've read other books that love science but the authors don't have a deep enough understanding of it to fully integrate it into the story. That isn't the case here. Not only does this book love science, but it's also more than smart enough for science to love it back.
The third thing is the colorful characters. However, my take on this is a little more mixed. The characters are great, but the range can be a little far-reaching at times. Da Shi, for example, feels very much a direct influence of Western culture. This might be a bit of ignorance on my part, but I can't help but read about him without thinking about Dirty Harry. While the characters are well-written, they can be slightly detracting at times. But nothing close to a deal-breaker.
Speaking of characters, or more important character arcs is the nature and arc of Ye Wenjie. I'll try my best not to spoil anything, but there is a decision she makes in the book that I think is the most debatable aspect of the entire novel. While her move is insanely selfish, the novel takes great pains to allow you to understand her reasons. It's a fascinating notion that we don't see enough of in books these days and people I know who have also read this book still argue about it. That's all I'll say on the matter.
If there's a reason you haven't read this book by now, it can't be a good one. If you have time enough to read this review, you have time enough to read this novel. It's a near-perfect blend of importance and great writing that makes for a wonderful reading experience. Having read it twice, I will say it's not endlessly enjoyable. There are a few long-winded aspects of it that can detract if you already know the outcome. However, if this is your first time with this book, it's bound to challenge you in ways more novels should.
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