The Three-Body Problem

Fascinating book. Greatly enjoyed it, lived up to the hype, a bit of frustration.

What I liked was the scope of it, and the crazy story. Particularly liked the notion of Ye being a traitor to the species largely on a whim, and because the people around her had mistreated her so and she was so alienated. Love the whole idea of a human cult worshipping genocidal incoming aliens. Great themes and well told, an enjoyable read.

What I didn't like was some of the narrative devices. I got very impatient about 1/3 of the way through with the descriptions of the Three Body simulation game. I was so confused, like what is this a metaphor for? Nothing really, it's just grooming for fellow cultists. But it felt odd to me narratively. I also didn't care much for the elaborate MacGuffin of the single proton computer, although all sci-fi is entitled to some of that.

This novel is the first Chinese modern novel I've read, and I kept wondering how much of the book was informed by being Chinese. Definitely don't want to oversell that, I don't think this book reflects what China is like any more than (say) Fire Upon the Deep reflects America. (Which is to say some, but not overwhelmingly so). OTOH there's a lot in the book about social structure and obligation to the social group, and that felt somewhat specifically Chinese. And of course all the explicit criticism of the Cultural Revolution.

All in all good novel. I'm inclined to read the other two volumes, but maybe not quite yet.