The Three Body Problem is a popular Chinese sci-fi novel that won the Hugo award in translation this year. It reads a little odd, and it’s hard to tell what are cultural or literary differences, or artifacts of translation, or just the author’s style. I’ve seen it compared to Asimov several times, and I think the comparison is apt, especially in the presentation of ideas over characterization. But the ideas here are big: decades-long conspiracies, a possible alien invasion, virtual reality.

Cliff-hanger warning: the book ends in a way that really sets up the next two in a trilogy, but an English translation of the last one isn’t out yet.

FuzzyCo grade: A