I this book and the entire series in 2018. I was enthralled all the way through. I can't recommend it highly enough to any lovers of great hard sci-fiI this book and the entire series in 2018. I was enthralled all the way through. I can't recommend it highly enough to any lovers of great hard sci-fi.
From the NPR review: "Cixin Liu clearly loves golden-age SF authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke; accordingly, The Three-Body Problem turns a boilerplate, first-contact concept into something absolutely mind-unfolding. While in the virtual world of Three Body, Miao confronts philosophical conundrums that border on the psychedelic, all while remaining scientifically rigorous. The way the book's alien race seeks to assert its presence on Earth is nothing short of awe-inspiring."
Great review here from
WOW: Hugo Award for Best Novel (2015), Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel (2014), Locus Award Nominee for Best Science Fiction Novel (2015), John W. Campbell Memorial Award Nominee for Best Novel (2015), Prometheus Award Nominee for Best Novel (2015)...more
Wow -- I loved it. Vintage sci-fi from 1958 that reads very well today.
Father Ramon Ruiz-Sanchez, a Peruvian Jesuit, visits the planet Lithia with 3 oWow -- I loved it. Vintage sci-fi from 1958 that reads very well today.
Father Ramon Ruiz-Sanchez, a Peruvian Jesuit, visits the planet Lithia with 3 other scientists. Their mission is to study the planet and the beings there to decide whether the planet should be opened to human contact. Ruiz-Sanchez is a biologist/biochemist. He studies the planet through the lens of his training not only in biology but also in theology. The planet is inhabited by a race of intelligent bipedal reptile-like creatures, the Lithians, with whom Ruiz-Sanchez can communicate well in their language.
The Lithians seem to have an ideal society, a utopia without crime, conflict, ignorance or want. This is what seems to cause the difficulty in deciding whether the planet should be open or not. Fascinating premise, theologically. I'm not a believer in any sense, and Catholicism is particularly bizarre to me, but I can appreciate how the Jesuit perceives the Lithians, both good and bad, relative to his beliefs.
This book stands up well to the test of time, and was a very memorable read. I may seek out more from James Blish.
If you enjoyed this story, I highly recommend "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell....more
Some really creative stories about people in different futuristic and faraway situations. I always marvel at Le Guin's creativity.Some really creative stories about people in different futuristic and faraway situations. I always marvel at Le Guin's creativity....more
I may have read this many many years ago... looks like it's time to read it again!I may have read this many many years ago... looks like it's time to read it again!...more
I read this book a few years after it was published, in the early 1990's. The length of the book and the density of the prose were intimidating, but tI read this book a few years after it was published, in the early 1990's. The length of the book and the density of the prose were intimidating, but the story is so beautifully conceived. I'm not sure the over-arching big picture story completely made sense to me, about the end of the world and the Shrike, but each of the individual back stories was fascinating and masterfully told. I especially enjoyed the story of Rachel and her father Sol. This book was over-the-top creative, I can't imagine conceiving of something like it, much less writing it. It's no great wonder that it's considered a masterwork of sci-fi and has won so many awards. ...more
I think the concept that the author started with is fascinating: that humans could be genetically modified to not require sleep. One of the effects ofI think the concept that the author started with is fascinating: that humans could be genetically modified to not require sleep. One of the effects of not needing sleep is that they are more productive, can spend more time working and learning, and become therefore somewhat super-human. This leads to a great deal of resentment and even hatred from "Sleepers", and the story evolves from there. One of the difficulties I had with this book is that I had a hard time relating thoroughly to any of the characters. Leisha Camden is the most prominent and sympathetic character throughout most of the book, but still not fully understandable or easy to empathize with for some reason. When the story took us to the orbital, I found Miri to be a much more interesting character and really enjoyed that part of the story. All in all, an engaging story that left me with lots to think about.
One thing I kept thinking about while reading this book is what it would feel like to not sleep. I LOVE sleeping, and hitting the snooze button and sleeping some more. I almost felt sorry for the Sleepless folks; while sleep is a necessity for us, it is also a hedonistic joy :)...more
Among other awards, this book won the Hugo Award for Best Novel (2005), Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel (2006), and was long-listed for the Man BoAmong other awards, this book won the Hugo Award for Best Novel (2005), Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel (2006), and was long-listed for the Man Booker Prize (2004). Unfortunately I gave this book until page 150 and it just never got interesting. I didn't go away hating it, just went away not caring what happened next....more
This was a Hugo and Nebula award winner. The book is headed to a bookcrosser in Finland now that I have finished it. It was an engrossing story of timThis was a Hugo and Nebula award winner. The book is headed to a bookcrosser in Finland now that I have finished it. It was an engrossing story of time travel. I hate to say too much so I don't spoil the story, but of course something always goes wrong in time travel, doesn't it?...more
This is an intriguing story. Is war a natural condition for humans? Would we have to change ourselves so thoroughly that we were no long human in ordeThis is an intriguing story. Is war a natural condition for humans? Would we have to change ourselves so thoroughly that we were no long human in order to rid the world of war? ...more
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