The Three-Body Problem (novel)
 Cover of the first volume | |
| Author | Liu Cixin |
|---|---|
| Original title | 三体 |
| Language | Chinese |
| Genre | Chinese science fiction |
| Publisher | Chongqing Press |
Publication date | 2008 |
| Publication place | China |
| Pages | 302 |
| ISBN | 978-7-5366-9293-0 |
The Three-Body Problem (simplified Chinese: 三体; traditional Chinese: 三體, Three Body) is a science fiction novel by the Chinese writer Liu Cixin. It is the first of a trilogy titled Remembrance of Earth’s Past, but Chinese readers generally refer to the series by the title of the first novel.[1] The title refers to the three-body problem in orbital mechanics.
The book was published in 2008 and became one of the most popular science fiction novels in China.[2] It received the Chinese Science Fiction Galaxy Award in 2006.
An English translation by Ken Liu was published by Tor Books on November 11, 2014. It was nominated for the 2014 Nebula Award for Best Novel[3] and 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel.[4]
A film adaptation of the same name is scheduled for release in July 2016.[5]
Plot
The plot of the novels concerns an invasion of Earth by the alien "Trisolarans" and the response of Earth's governments and scientists to this threat.
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.
Novels
The trilogy comprises:[6]
- 三体 (Three Body), serialized in Science Fiction World in 2006, winner of the Galaxy Award 2006. Published in China in 2008 and in English by Tor Books in 2014 as The Three-Body Problem, translated by Ken Liu.
- 黑暗森林 (The Dark Forest), 2008
- 死神永生 (Death's End), 2010
References
- ^ Liu, Cixin (7 May 2014). "The Worst of All Possible Universes and the Best of All Possible Earths: Three Body and Chinese Science Fiction". Tor.com. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
- ^ 陈熙涵 (2012-11-30). 《三体》选定英文版美国译者 (in Chinese). 新华网转载自《文汇报》. Retrieved 2013-02-19.
- ^ "2014 Nebula Awards Nominees Announced". Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. February 20, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
- ^ "Two Finalists Withdraw from 2015 Hugo Awards". World Science Fiction Society. April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
- ^ Kevin Ma (April 24, 2015). "Cast lands on Three Body Problem". Film Business Asia. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
- ^ "Three-Body Introduction".
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