April 2016-Rion's Choice-The Three Body Problem

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

Welcome to April, and Rion's choice, The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin.

I read this for the Hugo voting-it was an interesting side note about the drama of the Hugos making way for this book!

Are you planning to read? What do you think so far?

[Mickey]

Oh Ve! all dose Chinese Character nemes is Ye mite duro to reed.

However I'm zen for it tis mont

[Viv]

I'm about a quarter of the way through this. I like the pace & writing style (it reads more like a mystery/thriller than traditional sci-fi I think) but am finding it slightly baffling - hopefully everything will become a bit clearer in due course :-)

[Kirsten]

I really enjoyed this book. I read it late last year. Need to get to book #2 one of these days.

[xGvJx]

I'm past the half-way mark and still really enjoying it! Finally a book the makes me happy in the morning when I wake up and remember that I'm reading it - I've been through too many read-along struggles lately.

[xGvJx]

Done, just the postscripts left, and I'll save them for a few minutes because it's sad that it's over for now ... I'm eager to read the next book, but I also have lots of other stuff I want to read, so this is it for a few months at least. Here's my spoiler-free (and basically story-free) review:

I started on this one the day before leaving for our cabin for Easter. I had initially intended to bring it with me there as I had just a couple of weeks left before having to return it to the library. But after reading the first 70 pages in what was basically one sitting, I decided I would have no problem finishing it anyway. So, I left it at home and read the strange stuff I usually find at the cabin for the rest of the Easter, and I knew that the end of Easter and the return home would feel less sad when this book was waiting for me on the couch. I've kept it near my bed at night, both because I wanted to read until I feel asleep, and because waking up to see it in the morning made me happy. I've been looking for a good TV series to keep me company while eating breakfast and relaxing before work – and this book turned out to fill that function perfectly.

[LindaJ^]

I read this book with another group last year. I enjoyed the Chinese history and thought the author used it well as a reason for why the scientist acted as she did. I thought it was interesting that for the English version, the Chinese history was moved to the beginning of the book. I admit that I found the science beyond my understanding -- how many dimensions are there? I have the second book on my tbr shelf but doubt I'll get to it for awhile, unless it ends up a group pick.

[[deleted user]]

Just picked up a paperback copy a couple of days ago. Looking forward to the read.

[Viv]

I finished this today and really enjoyed it. I thought it was exciting and interesting, and I liked the style of writing (or maybe translating?). Like Linda, I did feel that some of the science was a bit mind-bending but it didn't stop me enjoying the book. I also liked that the book got me thinking about moral questions. (view spoiler)[ At times I thought maybe I would have ended up as an Adventist - there are certainly times when I do despair of the human race and wonder if we deserve to survive!! (hide spoiler)].

I would definitely like to continue with the series, though I'm not sure when I'll fit it in. I notice that the second book has a different translator, so I think it will be interesting to compare.

[Maggie, space cruisin' for a bruisin']

Thought provoking definitely fits this book description!

[Rick]

I truly enjoyed the book, but I though that there were a couple of times that the author could have explored/expanded the dialogue as the reactions of the charterers were a bit wooden.

[[deleted user]]

I'm six chapters into it. I like the mystery/thriller element. What struck me was what appears to be an ominous warning in chapter six: "technological progress was a disease in human society. The explosive development of technology was analogous to the growth of cancer cells." Hmm.

[Gaines]

I recently received a copy of this book (the original Chinese version, though) from a friend. I'm sorry I missed this discussion; it's a book I've been wanting to read for a while, as I'm familiar with some of the author's other work. Oh well :-) Maybe I'll report my impressions here once I've read it.

[LindaJ^]

Gaines wrote: "I recently received a copy of this book (the original Chinese version, though) from a friend. I'm sorry I missed this discussion; it's a book I've been wanting to read for a while, as I'm familiar ..."

Please do report you impressions!

[Gaines]

Will do :-) Just gotta finish slugging through Dhalgren (which is very long, and which I'm both loving and hating at the moment), and then I'll start reading The Three-Body Problem (三体).

[Mickey]

I know, I know, I'm getting slower in my old age.

I finished the Three Body Problem today and I rather enjoyed the book. I found the world build fascinating and innovative with the Trisolarians. I also found the character build very good as well. The translation from Chinese to English was, well since I do not speak or read any form of Chinese, the English version was well written.

My only problem with the Three Body Problem is that I have to find the time to read two more bodies, I mean books, to find out how the story ends.

Does anyone write stand alone science fiction books anymore. Always a series of some sort. Sorry I am ranting again.

Still The Three Body Problem was a very good book. So much so I have some math books on my wish list to be read on Henri Poincare. Mathematics is also in my blood.

[Gaines]

I agree; I like stand-alone books now and then, too.