My opinion:

  • Interesting concept of a Dark Forest & cosmic sociology axioms.
  • Unpleasant characters: Ye Wenjie (narcissistic and psychopathic), Cheng Xin (a kind billionaire lol).
  • Disappointing ending—the last few chapters feel weak.

Bonus: Absolutely fascinating interpretation of the first book by @yogthos@lemmy.ml.

Spoiler

https://mastodon.social/@tracyspcy/113515553103376706

  • Joshi@slrpnk.net
    8·
    3 months ago

    I read the first book and I think it is the first time in decades that I have encountered actual sci-fi concepts that weren’t a reworking of ideas that have been around for decades.

    It’s not a character driven novel but the characters are fine, mostly they’re not that likeable - which in my opinion is not a reason to dislike a story - and I think they probably lose something in translation. When I was a teenager I devoured Asimov, Phillip K Dick, Heinlein etc for the concepts, compared to them the characters in 3 Body are masterfully written.

    I haven’t yet read the second book as I found the first few chapters a bit of a slog but I plan to pick it up again once I’ve finished rereading some Ursula K LeGuin

    • Bldck@beehaw.orgEnglish
      3·
      3 months ago

      Totally agree that novel ideas about science fiction are presented. A group of humans betraying all of humanity was a nice inversion of the “one man has to save everyone” concept.

      For me, the succeeding novels became increasingly boring and inconsequential.

      Major spoiler for book 3

      I was compelled to read the books when I learned about other species collapsing dimensions as a weapon of war. How fascinating.

      Unfortunately, that entire concept was explained in two paragraphs by a character who had no right to know that information. And then we moved on like nothing happened.

      I think a better novel that explored very similar themes is The Last Human by Zack Jordan.