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The Three-Body Problem

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The Three-Body Problem

By: Cixin Liu
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
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Soon to be a Netflix Original series!

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

The Three-Body Problem is the first chance for English-speaking listeners to experience the Hugo Award-winning phenomenon from China's most beloved science fiction author, Liu Cixin.

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 Remembrance of Earth's Past Trilogy:

The Three-Body Problem

The Dark Forest

Death's End

Other books:

Ball Lightning Supernova Era

To Hold Up The Sky (forthcoming)

©2006 Liu Cixin (P)2014 Macmillan Audio Fiction First Contact Genre Fiction Hard Science Fiction Hugo Award Literary Fiction Science Fiction Space Exploration Interstellar Emotionally Gripping Chinese Science Fiction

Interview: Ken Liu on the performance of translation

The Three-Body Problem
'... It's just fascinating how writing really changes the way we think about language.'
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  • The Three-Body Problem
  • '... It's just fascinating how writing really changes the way we think about language.'

Featured Article: The Best Audiobooks for Fans of Dune


Ever since its publication in 1965, Frank Herbert's Dune has set the bar high for epic science fiction. In fact, Herbert's beloved novel is considered to be one the best sci-fi books of all time. Dune was the recipient of multiple awards, including the inaugural Nebula Award for best novel in 1966. And in October 2021, more than 50 years after the novel's initial release, fans of Dune are being treated to a film adaptation, directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Featured Article The Best Audiobooks for Fans of Dune
Original Concepts • Scientific Depth • Superb Narration • Cultural Perspective • Intriguing Mystery • Historical Context

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The scope of this series is incredible and makes you feel smaller in the universe with each book you read. Mindblowing sci fi concepts that are well researched. some reviewers say charecter development is 'flat' but the author makes up for it with great imagery and imagination. Great almost seemless translation into english and i like this narrorator better than the one for the 2nd and 3rd book

Epic trilogy is one of my all time favorite SciFis

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Outstanding narration. The range of voices from this narrator is impressive.

This book is unique. Imagine a deep forward looking science and technology focus with philosophical underpinnings. As a stereotypical white American male, I found myself reflecting on the author, his experience, Chinese culture and game theory.

I enjoy translated fiction for the self reflection aspects. This is not a book that will reinforce your existing bias.

The book has two halves, a hard-sciences laden mystery with moral underpinnings and a reveal featuring Sci-fi/futurist explanation and philosophical quandary. The greater your understanding of popular recent science, the more you will appreciate.

Overall, this is a unique, nerdy, and delightful experience.

Unique, nerdy, philosophical. Best of 2014.

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The worst thing about The Three Body Problem is that it's not all bad. Cixin Liu can sometimes turn out a beautiful passage, engaging character, or arresting image. Unfortunately, this meant my reading experience was one of alternating boredom, frustration, and actual interest. Every time I decided I had had it and was going to quit, something would happen to string me along. In retrospect, I wish I'd just stopped in the first hour.

Deeply unsatisfying

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There is a lot to like in this book. Its talks about big ideas. It's setting during the Chinese Cultural Revolution is unique and fascinating. It's portrays scientist as actual full three dimensional human beings instead of just dour, lab-coated problem solvers our of central casting. And the story moves along briskly, takes unexpected turns and mostly holds your interest.

But the science gets progressively more and more far-fetched and hard to swallow as the author tries to resolve plot points introduced at the beginning of the book. The zither had my eyes rolling but it was the introduction of the sophons that 3BP really jumped the science tracks headed into fantasy land. I don't think GRR Martin or JR Tolkien could have pulled off sophons. Dragons are much more believable.

And I am willing to forgive a lot of SF BS. Dilithium crystals will let you go FTL? Well, OK. You made the Kessel run in 12 parsecs? If you say so. But a proton sized indestructible, super intelligent AI that zips around the universe at speed of light in order to play tricks on theoretical physicist? Nope.

Hard science? Hardly.

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It’s rare for me to not see what’s coming next in a book...but this one always kept me guessing, wondering what was coming around the corner. Even better was the amount of scholarship that the author evinced. It reminds me of Michael Crichton...but much, much better. Strongly recommended!

Best SF I’ve seen in a long, long time.

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