The Three-Body Problem

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The novel explores how trauma shapes Ye Wenjie’s worldview and decisions. Have you ever experienced or witnessed an event that changed the way you view humanity or society? How did it impact your actions or beliefs?

2. Ye Wenjie turns to science and the search for extraterrestrial life as a way to find meaning in a world she sees as flawed. What pursuits or interests have helped you navigate difficult times in your life? 

3. The contrast between Shi’s pragmatic street smarts and Wang’s scientific approach shows the value of different perspectives. Have you ever worked with someone whose worldview was very different from your own? How did it influence your approach to a shared challenge?

4. The Three Body game allows players to experience an alien civilization’s struggles. Have you ever encountered a story, game, or piece of art that helped you empathize with a perspective vastly different from your own? How did it affect you?

5. The concept of universality is central to the novel, as it suggests common experiences across cultures and even species. Have you ever had an experience that made you feel connected to something larger than yourself, transcending cultural or personal boundaries?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does Liu’s depiction of the Cultural Revolution reflect the tension between politics and science? What does this historical context reveal about the impact of ideological conflict on intellectual progress?

2. The novel incorporates elements of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the global search for extraterrestrial intelligence. How do these real-world historical and scientific contexts shape the story’s themes and characters?

3. Cixin Liu’s portrayal of global cooperation in the face of an existential threat, such as humanity uniting against the Trisolarans, suggests the potential for unity. How do the political and cultural divisions presented earlier in the novel contrast with this vision of collaboration?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Liu use the dual timelines of Ye Wenjie’s past and Wang Miao’s present to build tension and deepen the reader’s understanding of humanity’s impending crisis?

2. The titular three-body problem serves as both a scientific challenge and a metaphor for chaos and unpredictability. How does Liu use this concept to explore themes of survival and human resilience? 

3. Discuss the role of trauma in shaping Ye Wenjie’s character. How do her personal experiences influence her worldview and her pivotal decision to contact the Trisolarans?

4. How does the recurring imagery of deforestation and the destruction of natural beauty serve as a symbol of humanity’s flaws and contribute to the novel’s environmental themes?

5. The Three-Body Game introduces readers to Trisolaran culture in a way that mirrors humanity’s own historical struggles. How does this narrative device enhance the story’s exploration of universality and difference? 

6. The characters in the novel often grapple with the tension between abstract scientific inquiry and practical application. How do Wang Miao and Wei Cheng embody this conflict, and what does it suggest about the role of science in society?