THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM
When I first learned that my favorite sci-fi novel, THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM by Liu Cixin (the first installment in the REMEMBRANCE OF THE EARTH’S PAST trilogy) is being adapted into a Netflix series, I felt excited but also conflicted. Excited because the series hails from GAME OF THRONES alumni David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, but conflicted because what mortal can do this epic sci-fi trilogy justice? The story is rooted in Chinese history, spans the globe, and is steeped in grandeur—it basically defies adaptation. But then! Yesterday, it was announced that Netflix has tapped Oscar-nominated Hong Kong director Derek Tsang (BETTER DAYS) for this task, and I breathed easy. Because he’s exactly the right filmmaker to tell this complex story.
With that gripping backstory in mind, let me give you the actual rec here. THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM became the first Asian novel ever to win a Hugo Award for Best Novel, and was nominated for the Nebula Award. It navigates between China’s Cultural Revolution and a near-future where an alien civilization on the brink of destruction plans to invade Earth. Facing down a much more advanced civilization, different camps start to form on Earth, with some worshiping the superior beings, and some desperately trying to fight… and the question remains: What is our place in the Universe? Here’s the thing though. That logline doesn’t do the trilogy justice, but I don’t have nearly enough words here, and also, spoilers. So, just trust me/David Benioff and D.B. Weiss/Netflix on this one. Oh, and Obama too—he’s a fan of the book as well! ;)
—Mimi Li, Development Assistant
