Science fiction
The Three-Body Problem
In the aftermath of China's Cultural Revolution, an astrophysicist makes a fateful choice. Decades later, scientists begin dying and a researcher is drawn into a strange virtual game about a doomed alien world.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2008
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 400
- Format
- Book 1 of 4 in Remembrance of Earth's Past
Read this if you like hard science fiction with huge ideas and a slowly tightening sense of dread.
Skip this if you want warm, character-driven storytelling, since the cast is secondary to the concepts.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Three-Body Problem
- What is The Three-Body Problem about?
- In the aftermath of China's Cultural Revolution, an astrophysicist makes a fateful choice. Decades later, scientists begin dying and a researcher is drawn into a strange virtual game about a doomed alien world.
- Who should read The Three-Body Problem?
- Read it if you like hard science fiction with huge ideas and a slowly tightening sense of dread. Skip it if you want warm, character-driven storytelling, since the cast is secondary to the concepts.
- How long and how fast is The Three-Body Problem?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 400 pages, first published in 2008.
- Does The Three-Body Problem have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Suicide.
- Can I borrow The Three-Body Problem for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Three-Body Problem; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Three-Body Problem?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Contact, Childhood's End, Children of Time.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Three-Body Problem
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Contact
A more hopeful, human story of what a first signal from space might do to us.
-
Childhood's End
A classic with a similar awe at humanity's place in the universe, but far shorter and more serene.
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Children of Time Another big, patient story about civilisations and survival over very long stretches of time.
Science fiction
