We discussed the science fiction novel Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu, the English translation (by Ken Liu) was released on November 11th. First half is spoiler free/minimal, second half of the discussion contains major plot spoilers. All of the liveshow participants were fortunate enough to receive ARCs from the publisher, Tor.
Participants:
Michael from Bitten by a Radioactive Book: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaqri6yb-dGzmfw8SHMo0yw
Elizabeth from Books and Pieces: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXifXYnZ5fVrlhpuhDjZOGg
Kaitlin from Kitty G: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCubeiIJVCyYgn5bqfD0jl0w
Brock from Let’s Read: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMGoaqXQ6d6Z3Vr-I3JIy6A
Bri from Stories from the Shelf: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmTKGq0LnoybKSMk0PYCF-g
I listened to this song a lot while reading 3 Body Problem and The Dark Forest.
Cixin Liu [x]
Me: I feel optimistic about life as a concept and about humanity and our place in the cosmos. Yes, the universe is vast and indifferent but that fact doesn’t have to be inherently terrifying and doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything out there that means us harm. There’s reason for hope.
Liu Cixin:
follow @the-future-now
. . . Lou Ji came over and put his hand on a small painting.
“Would you leave this one for me?”
Cheng Xin and AA moved the painting aside and set it on top of a box next to the wall. They were surprised to see that it was the Mona Lisa.
Cheng Xin and AA continued to work at disassembling frames. AA whispered, “Clever old man. He kept the most expensive piece for himself.”
“I don’t think that’s the reason.”
“Maybe he once loved a girl named Mona Lisa?”
Lou Ji sat next to the Mona Lisa and caressed the ancient frame with one hand. He muttered, “I didn’t know you were here. Otherwise I could have come to see you often.”
Cheng Xin saw that he wasn’t looking at the painting. His eyes stared ahead as if looking into the depths of time. Cheng Xin saw that his ancient eyes were filled with tears, and she wasn’t sure if he was mistaken.
Inside the grand tomb under the surface of Pluto, lit by the dim lamps that could shine for a hundred thousand years, Mona Lisa’s smile seemed to appear and disappear. The smile had puzzled humankind for nearly nine centuries, and it looked even more mysterious and eerie now, as though it meant everything and nothing, like the approaching Death.
Death’s End (p. 512), Cixin Liu
Every era puts invisible shackles on those who have lived through it, and I can only dance in my chains.
Liu Cixin, The Three-Body Problem
Hey Miss ………….