The Three-Body Problem

[Greg, Muad'Dib]

This is the discussion thread for the second book of the month, or group read, for April. Please remember to use the spoiler tags where necessary. The other group read topic for this month (The Alliance: A Dystopian Society, the Aftermath of Alien Invasion) can be found here.

[Donna Rae]

Has anyone else started this yet? I've been wanting to read it for some time, so was a bit put off by the line references in the first chapter - thought I'd picked up something factual by mistake. But the story soon takes off; I'm finding it difficult to put down now, even though there are zillions of other things I should be doing instead.

[Greg, Muad'Dib]

Donna Rae wrote: "Has anyone else started this yet? I've been wanting to read it for some time, so was a bit put off by the line references in the first chapter - thought I'd picked up something factual by mistake. ..."

I have zillions of other things to do as well unfortunately so I'm still reading a book from an earlier group read (though making progress on it lately). I'm glad you're enjoying The Three-Body Problem despite your initial response to it.

[PSXtreme]

I was having issues installing books onto my iPod, but figured out the "new" way it wants to do it now (Apple just sucks!). I just started It yesterday, but I expect to have that completed by Sun...So, I'll have all next week to start and finish it up by the end of the month, probably by next Fri.

[Damon, ZARDOZ]

Yes started. The beginning is a bit Wild Swans

[Donna Rae]

Damon wrote: "Yes started. The beginning is a bit Wild Swans"

I've not read that one, so no frame of reference, I'm afraid. Recently finished The Grace of Kings by Ken Lui who - if my memory serves me right - had a hand in translating The Three-Body Problem into English. A very different novel, but there is something about the written style of this and TGOK that strikes a similar chord.

Will have to read more by other Chinese authors to work out whether that's down to the translator's interpretation of another author's work, or whether it's more of a distinctive cultural voice. Either way, now that I've got past the history lesson that is the first chapter, I'm really enjoying it.

[Mel]

I read this last year. Actually, I've read the whole series and I loved it. This, the first doesn't feel like SF in the beggining but I found it thoroughly absorbing. The ideas are..to me anyway, so novel and well laid out. Anyone else finished yet? And if anyone hasn't started, I would recommend giving it some priority. Well worth it.

[Nick]

I've just finished it. It was a bit slow to get going but it was definitely worth getting into. I loved it. Da Shi was a great character. The plot required some reasonably complex science, but the author explained it in a way that I could more or less follow. Others will know more than me how realistic the science is. One or two minor plot niggles but I won't go into that in case I spoil anything. I'd strongly recommend this to any sci fi fan.

[Greg, Muad'Dib]

Nick wrote: "I've just finished it. It was a bit slow to get going but it was definitely worth getting into. I loved it. Da Shi was a great character. The plot required some reasonably complex science, but the ..."

Hey Nick - you can talk about those minor plot niggles if you want - just wrap spoiler tags around them (click on 'some html is ok' just above this box to see how to do this).

[Nick]

Oh great, thanks:

(view spoiler)[ It really is only a niggle ... in the novel's blurb, and in the early stages, it is repeatedly stated that Ye witnessing her father's murder changes the course of history. I'm assuming this is because it angers Ye to the point where she betrays humanity, but the author never returns to these statements. I don't need everything spelt out for me, but it was a bit frustrating how it's billed as a really central event, but the author never mentions it again.

That's about all I've got! My knowledge of science isn't enough to pick holes, and other than that it held together really well.
(hide spoiler)]

[Greg, Muad'Dib]

You're welcome, Nick! :)

[Stuart]

Heard much ado about this award winning book and was given a copy for Christmas.

Must say I was a little disappointed and struggled a little in the first 3/4 of the book. I wasn't sure whether it was really a sci-fi or a Chinese revolution story of which neither was working very well for me. There was much loose science and a vague view of the revolutionary times that really didn't satisfy. The gaming part was of minor interest which again felt like a half thought through story mechanism.

The final 1/4 of the book got quite interesting and to a small degree made up for the rest of the book but with some shrewd editing this could have been a lively, shorter novel. In my humble opinion.

[Stuart]

Heard much ado about this award winning book and was given a copy for Christmas.

Must say I was a little disappointed and struggled a little in the first 3/4 of the book. I wasn't sure whether it was really a sci-fi or a Chinese revolution story of which neither was working very well for me. There was much loose science and a vague view of the revolutionary times that really didn't satisfy. The gaming part was of minor interest which again felt like a half thought through story mechanism.

The final 1/4 of the book got quite interesting and to a small degree made up for the rest of the book but with some shrewd editing this could have been a lively, shorter novel. In my humble opinion.

[Stuart]

Sorry about the double post. My iPad doesn't update comments properly😕

[Bon]

This book made me love sci-fi again! I have read this and the second book in the series but waiting for the third to become available on borrowbox. Never had i felt such an emotional connection to earth and humanity while at the same time understanding and relating to the alien race. The translation is structurally ideal for a sci-fi book and the second book is translated by a different person and you can feel the difference in reading it. After reading Three-body problem it was all I could think about for weeks afterwards which to me is a sign of a great book.

[Donna Rae]

Bon wrote: "This book made me love sci-fi again! I have read this and the second book in the series but waiting for the third to become available on borrowbox. Never had i felt such an emotional connection to ..."

I have to agree, at least as far as the first book is concerned. I haven't read The Dark Forest yet, but I plan to, now that I've read Three-Body.

My only real gripe with this novel is with the beginning and the last two chapters: the beginning, as I've previously mentioned, felt like a factual book on Chinese history (which is fine, if that's what you are expecting to read), whereas the last two chapters felt rushed compared to the pace of the rest of the novel.

It'll be interesting to see what effect a different translator has on the second book - looking forward to it!

[Bon]

I loved The Dark Forest, the translation is in a slightly different style that took me a chapter or two to get used to then got right into it. I was so emotionally invested in the human race omg! And the aliens too but mostly the human race!