The Three-Body Problem

Liu Cixin

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Reveal characters and locations as you read

4.1

Rating

472

Pages

2006

Published

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.

Characters

Who you envision for each role

Reader-picked casting for Wang Miao

CastWang MiaoMain CharacterZhang Luyi

Reader-picked casting for Ye Wenjie, younger

CastYe Wenjie, youngerYe Zhetai's daughterWang Ziwen

Reader-picked casting for Shi Qiang

CastShi QiangPolice detectiveYu Hewei

Reader-picked casting for Ye Wenjie, older

CastYe Wenjie, olderYang Dong's motherChen Jin

Meet 12 more characters once you start reading.

Locations

Where the story takes place

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Mood

The look and feel of the story

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Reviews

4.1 average· 2 reviews

Novelust user

Sep 23, 2026

2.0

I understand why this book became a series but it is def not one to listen to. I think it would be better read.

Novelust user

Jul 29, 2025

2.0

Read for book club. DNF @ 5 hours. I can see how others enjoy this book, it just wasn’t for me.