Cixin Liu's novel, The Three-Body Problem, is a hallmark of modern Chinese writing. When it was first published in 2006, it took readers, critics and even scientists by storm. And when it was finally translated into English in 2014, it became the first Asian book to win the Hugo Award for science fiction. A piece of scientific imagination (folding protons, communicating with aliens, VR suits, and more), Liu's book continues to stir big questions today.

Ben gets to the bottom of it with Andrew Miller.

About the Book

"Wildly imaginative, really interesting." — President Barack Obama on The Three-Body Problem trilogy

The Three-Body Problem is the first chance for English-speaking readers to experience the Hugo Award-winning phenomenon from China's most beloved science fiction author, Liu Cixin.

Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, different camps start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or to fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.

The Remembrance of Earth's Past Trilogy

The Three-Body Problem

The Dark Forest

Death's End

Other Books

Ball Lightning (forthcoming)

Learn more about The Three-Body Problem.