“Every crease is a story.”
by 刘慈欣, Vincent Schmitt, Gwennaël Gaffric and Marc Simonetti
Open Library readers: 3.93 / 5 from 217 ratings. Separate from ratings here.Catalogue checked 2026-10-02.
Cixin Liu's trilogy-opening novel about first contact with aliens and the clandestine struggle with them over Earth's future, and its scientific progress in particular.
Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution, a secret military project sends signals into space in an attempt to make contact with aliens—and they succeed. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth. Now, on Earth, different factions start forming, planning to either welcome the superior beings and help them take over a world seen as corrupt, or fight against the invasion. The result is a science fiction masterpiece of enormous scope and vision.
Rate this book
No ratings here yet. Read it? Leave your mark in the margin.
Gathering editions from Open Library…
Something tucked inside your copy?
A pressed flower, a ticket stub, an inscription on the flyleaf. Photograph it for Found in Books.
Send your copy travelling
Print a numbered bookplate, pass the book on, and follow where it goes next.
A few practical answers before choosing a copy.
Bibliographic source: Open LibraryThe Three-Body Problem is by 刘慈欣, Vincent Schmitt, Gwennaël Gaffric, Marc Simonetti. The catalogue records its first publication in 2008. A later edition may have a different publication date on its copyright page.
Cheapest first, postage included where the seller lists it. From third-party sellers; we may earn a commission. Disclosure
The catalogue records 417 pages for a representative edition. Pagination varies with the publisher, format, type size and translation, so check the edition you intend to read.
Compare the publisher, publication date, language, format and ISBN in the editions section. If you need a particular translation or a matching book-club copy, confirm those details with the seller. A work-level page brings different editions together; its first-publication year does not identify your individual copy.
Check a copy's editionCreasy Spines ratings come from readers here. The separate Open Library score is 3.93 out of 5 from 217 ratings in our catalogue snapshot. It belongs to a different reader community and is not combined with our ratings.
Compare the current seller links on this page, including postage, condition and edition. Availability and asking prices can change. If the copy you need is missing, save a wanted search in Hunt List.
Look for a copyThree-Body Problem: The Epic 10-Volume Graphic Novel Boxset
Head of Zeus, 2024
ISBN 9781035912421
Three-Body Problem: Soon to Be a Major Netflix Series
Head of Zeus, 2024
ISBN 9781035909575
Three-Body Problem
Head of Zeus, 2021
ISBN 9781800246683
Three-Body Problem
Head of Zeus, 2021
ISBN 9781800249172
The Three-Body Problem
Head of Zeus Ltd, 2016 / Paperback
ISBN 9781784971571
The Three-Body Problem
A Tor Book / Tom Doherty Associates, 2016 / Paperback, 416 pp.
ISBN 9780765382030
Three Body Problem
Head of Zeus, 2015
ISBN 9781784971564
The Three-Body Problem
Head of Zeus, 2015
ISBN 9781784971557
Showing 8 of 46
Your shelves, ratings and reviews belong to the book, not a particular edition. Edition data from Open Library.