A tough/hard science start, but gets picks up and good gosh, the ideas in this book are…wow, expansive!
The Three Body Problem ends in a way that left me feeling like I had to read the second book in the trilogy, and Ye Wenjie passes on the story to Luo Ji, though as the read we're not sure how or why at this early point.
I found the first chunk of the book (around 20%) pretty tough to read and very "hard science", but then it feels like the groundwork has been laid and the story kicks into gear.
One thing I found myself thinking over and over as I read through the book are how amazing Liu Cixin's mind is to be able to create these broad, world impacting ideas founded in (what I seemed to think was) real science. The variety and twist of ideas are quite amazing - particularly as the author tells of different ways that the entirety of humanity could be obliterated!
The last 1/4 of the book sped up for me and the story galloped towards a finale that tapered off fairly nicely at the end. Certainly I feel like this ending is enough to stop at (though I'll definitely read the last in the trilogy, Death's End).
Great stuff, if a little heavy at first.
13 Highlight(s)
when that fiery giant disc passed overhead, the ice on his body melted and his body became a pillar of fire. Just before turning entirely to ash, he let out a long sigh, and then exited.
Ahead of them stretched the leaden road of time, terminating somewhere in the mists of the future, where all they could see were flickering flames and luster of blood.
"I like twilight better." "Why?" "When twilight fades, you can see the stars. When dawn fades, all that's left is..." "All that's left is the harsh light of reality."
"No, no. Don't say where we are! Once we know where we are, then the world becomes as narrow as a map. When we don't know, the world feels unlimited."
"I'm madly in love with a fictional person from a novel of my own creation. I've been with her, I've traveled with her, and I've even broken up with my real-life girlfriend over her. Is that nothing serious to you?" The doctor smiled tolerantly. "Don't you get it? I've given my most profound love to an illusion!" "Are you under the impression that the object of everyone else's love actually exists?"
For the majority of people, what they love exists only in the imagination. The object of their love is not the man or woman of reality, but what he or she is like in their imagination. The person in reality is just a template used for the creation of this dream lover.
"There's nothing excessive about imagination. Especially where love is concerned."
"You politicians sound off about humanity at the drop of a hat, but I can't see humanity. I can only see individuals.
"Why is it that everyone gets so sensitive at the mention of thought control? From commercial advertising to Hollywood culture, thought control is everywhere in modern society.
We were unable to find a single law applicable to his crime, so we recommend that the crime of Extinction of Life on Earth be added to international law,
Time is the one thing that can't be stopped. Like a sharp blade, it silently cuts through hard and soft, constantly advancing. Nothing is capable of jolting it even the slightest bit, but it changes everything.
No matter what the future might bring, the present is most important.
"If I destroy you, what business is it of yours?"
Others I've read in the "Remembrance of Earth’s Past" series: