# The Three-Body Problem

> science fiction novel by Liu Cixin

**Wikidata**: [Q607112](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q607112)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three-Body_Problem_(novel))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-three-body-problem

## Summary
*The Three-Body Problem* is a science fiction novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin, published in 2006, and is the first book in the *Remembrance of Earth's Past* trilogy. It is widely recognized for introducing Chinese science fiction to a global audience and won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015. The novel explores themes of cosmic sociology, first contact, and humanity's response to existential threats through a hard science fiction lens.

## Key Facts
- **Title**: *The Three-Body Problem* (original title: 三体, pinyin: Sān Tǐ)
- **Author**: Liu Cixin
- **Genre**: Science fiction, hard science fiction
- **Publication Year**: 2006
- **Awards**: Hugo Award for Best Novel (2015), Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2015)
- **Series**: First novel in the *Remembrance of Earth's Past* trilogy
- **Country of Origin**: People's Republic of China
- **Language of Original Publication**: Chinese
- **English Translation**: Published in 2014 by Tor Books
- **Classification**: Literary work, novel, science fiction
- **Instance of**: Q7725634 (literary work)
- **Named After**: The three-body problem (classical mechanics concept)
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1476451
- **Open Library ID**: OL17267881W
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: 2014033102
- **Dewey Decimal Classification**: 895.136
- **ISBN (English Edition)**: 978-0-7653-7706-7
- **Publisher (English Edition)**: Tor Books
- **Translation Status**: Translated into multiple languages including English, French, German, Spanish, and others
- **Influences**: Arthur C. Clarke, Jules Verne, Leo Tolstoy, George Orwell
- **Adaptations**: Animated series (*The Three-Body Problem in Minecraft*), film and television projects in development

## FAQs
**What is *The Three-Body Problem* about?**  
It is a science fiction novel that explores first contact with an alien civilization, the Trisolaran species, and the sociopolitical and scientific consequences of this interaction. The story is set during China's Cultural Revolution and spans decades of human history, examining themes of survival, betrayal, and cosmic ethics.

**Who is the author of *The Three-Body Problem*?**  
The novel was written by Liu Cixin, a Chinese science fiction author and engineer, widely regarded as the most prominent figure in Chinese science fiction.

**What awards did *The Three-Body Problem* win?**  
It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015, making Liu Cixin the first Asian author to win the award. It also won the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 2015.

**What is the significance of the title?**  
The title refers to the classical mechanics problem involving the motion of three celestial bodies under mutual gravitational attraction, which serves as a central metaphor and plot device in the novel.

**Is *The Three-Body Problem* part of a series?**  
Yes, it is the first book in the *Remembrance of Earth's Past* trilogy, followed by *The Dark Forest* and *Death's End*.

**What genre does the novel belong to?**  
It is classified as science fiction and specifically as hard science fiction, emphasizing scientific accuracy and technological plausibility.

**What is the novel's cultural impact?**  
It introduced Chinese science fiction to a global audience, won international acclaim, and inspired adaptations in various media, including an animated series and upcoming film and television projects.

**What is the novel's connection to the "three-body problem" in physics?**  
The novel uses the classical mechanics concept of the three-body problem as a metaphor for the chaotic and unstable nature of human-alien relations and the unpredictability of cosmic civilizations.

**What are some of the novel's major themes?**  
Themes include cosmic sociology, the ethics of first contact, scientific betrayal, political upheaval, and humanity's struggle for survival.

**What is the novel's relationship to Liu Cixin's other works?**  
It is the first novel in the *Remembrance of Earth's Past* trilogy, which also includes *The Dark Forest* and *Death's End*. It is also connected to other works by Liu Cixin such as *The Wandering Earth* and *Ball Lightning*.

## Why It Matters
*The Three-Body Problem* matters because it redefined the global perception of Chinese science fiction by becoming the first translated work by a Chinese author to win the Hugo Award. It introduced Western audiences to a distinctly Chinese perspective on science fiction, blending hard scientific concepts with philosophical and sociopolitical questions. The novel's exploration of humanity's interaction with an alien civilization has influenced both literature and popular culture, inspiring adaptations and discussions on a global scale. Its success has opened doors for other Chinese speculative fiction authors and reshaped the international science fiction landscape.

## Notable For
- Being the first novel in the *Remembrance of Earth's Past* trilogy
- Winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015
- Introducing Chinese science fiction to a global audience
- Blending hard science fiction with philosophical and sociopolitical themes
- Being translated into multiple languages and adapted into various media
- Influencing the perception of Chinese speculative fiction internationally
- Featuring a unique narrative structure that spans historical periods and civilizations
- Incorporating the "three-body problem" from classical mechanics as a central metaphor
- Being the first work by a Chinese author to win the Hugo Award
- Inspiring adaptations including *The Three-Body Problem in Minecraft* and upcoming film projects

## Body

### History and Context
*The Three-Body Problem* was first published in 2006 in China and later translated into English in 2014 by Ken Liu. It is the first novel in the *Remembrance of Earth's Past* trilogy, which also includes *The Dark Forest* (2008) and *Death's End* (2010). The novel is set during China's Cultural Revolution and spans decades of human history, exploring themes of scientific betrayal, political upheaval, and first contact with an alien species. The story's central conflict arises from Earth's interaction with the Trisolaran civilization, a technologically advanced but environmentally unstable species seeking to colonize Earth.

### Publication and Reception
The novel was first published in *Science Fiction World*, a Chinese science fiction magazine, in 2006. It gained international recognition after winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2015, making Liu Cixin the first Asian author to win the award. The English translation, published by Tor Books in 2014, brought the novel to a global audience and solidified its status as a landmark work in science fiction literature.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Hugo Award for Best Novel (2015)**: The novel became the first translated work by a Chinese author to win the Hugo Award, a prestigious international science fiction award.
- **Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (2015)**: Further cemented its place in the science fiction canon.
- **Galaxy Award (China)**: Recognized within China for its contribution to the genre.

### Author and Literary Context
Liu Cixin, the author, is a Chinese science fiction writer and engineer known for his hard science fiction approach. His background in engineering heavily informs the scientific rigor of his narratives. *The Three-Body Problem* is part of a broader body of work that includes the *Wandering Earth* and *Ball Lightning*, both of which have also received critical acclaim. The novel's success has elevated the profile of Chinese science fiction globally and inspired a new generation of writers.

### Scientific and Philosophical Themes
The novel explores themes of cosmic sociology, the ethics of first contact, and humanity's response to existential threats. It uses the "three-body problem" from classical mechanics as a metaphor for the chaotic and unstable nature of human-alien relations. The narrative also delves into the consequences of scientific betrayal and the moral complexities of survival, making it a landmark work in the science fiction genre.

### Adaptations and Cultural Impact
The novel has inspired adaptations in various media, including an animated series titled *The Three-Body Problem in Minecraft*. It has also been adapted into film and television projects, further expanding its cultural reach. The novel's success has opened doors for other Chinese speculative fiction authors and reshaped the international science fiction landscape.

### Related Entities and Connected Works
- **Remembrance of Earth's Past**: The trilogy to which *The Three-Body Problem* belongs.
- **The Dark Forest**: The second novel in the trilogy.
- **Death's End**: The third novel in the trilogy.
- **The Wandering Earth**: A standalone novel by Liu Cixin, also adapted into a successful film franchise.
- **Ball Lightning**: Another hard science fiction novel by Liu Cixin.

### International Recognition and Influence
The novel's international success has had a profound impact on the perception of Chinese science fiction. It has inspired discussions on a global scale and has been translated into multiple languages, making it accessible to a diverse audience. The novel's exploration of humanity's interaction with an alien civilization has influenced both literature and popular culture, further solidifying its status as a landmark work in science fiction literature.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. [Source](http://www.beyondchinatown.com/2015/08/25/the-three-body-problem-wins-hugo-award/)
3. [Source](https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2015-hugo-awards/)
4. [Source](https://locusmag.com/2017/11/2017-premio-ignotus-winners/)
5. [Source](http://www.sf-fan.gr.jp/awards/2020result.html)
6. [Source](https://www.kurd-lasswitz-preis.de/2017/KLP_2017_auslaendisches_Werk.htm)
7. MusicBrainz
8. [Source](https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2015)
9. [Source](https://christopher-mckitterick.com/Sturgeon-Campbell/campbell-finalists.htm)
10. [Source](https://www.lfs.org/awards.shtml)
11. [Source](https://gpi.noosfere.org/gpi-2017/)
12. [Source](https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/2014/)
13. Quora
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. Goodreads
16. Know Your Meme