Teen Review: The Three Body Problem

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin is a striking blend of science fiction, historical drama, and philosophical speculation. This story takes place during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, where astrophysicist Ye Wenjie experiences personal trauma that shapes her view on humanity. Years later, in the present, nanomaterials researcher Wang Miao experiences a series of otherworldly phenomena, including unexplained scientific deaths and a mysterious countdown. As he investigates these bizarre events, he encounters a virtual game, where players try to survive a world with three, unpredictable suns. Through this game and his growing investigations, Wang slowly unravels the truth about an alien civilization struggling with a three-star system, ultimately coming to a shocking realization that humanity may have invented an extraterrestrial threat, caused by the actions of Ye Wenjie decades before. The Three-Body Problem is a slow read. The book presents complex scientific ideas in ways that feel imaginative without losing their intellectual weight, making some chapters feel dense with technical explanations and the build-up gradual. In addition, many details and parts of the story rely heavily on historical and cultural knowledge, which may require readers to have some background knowledge in order to fully understand events and character motivations.