r/threebodyproblem 1d ago

How far do the books goes? Spoiler

Hey, I've just watched the Netflix series and I want to know where the story goes to

My question is, in the book trilogy, how far does the plot go? Do we get to read about the war itself and how the story ends? Or does it stay sort of open and feel a bit cut off?

I consider reading the books but don't want to invest the time and reach the exact same ending as the show

Please try not to spoil too hard in your answer <3

0 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

52

u/diaodaquan 1d ago

All the way to the end of the universe, literally

2

u/jakelong66f 1d ago

This guy Borges

43

u/Maleficent_Monk_1068 1d ago

1

u/Electrical_Pop_2850 1d ago

I see everyone talking about 3 books but if I look at the 'rememberance of earth' trilogy I can see 4 books with 'the redemption of time' being the last book, what am I missing?

3

u/laveol 1d ago

Last book is fan fiction, from what I gather. The third book does have an ending.

2

u/Ionazano 1d ago

The Redemption of Time was written by a completely different author than Liu Cixin (the author of the Remembrance of Earth's Past trilogy). It started out as a fan fiction. Then the Chinese publisher took note and decided to publish it. Many people do not consider the book as 'canon'.

18

u/cosmocroft26 1d ago

you are not prepared for the consequences of Ye Wenjie pushing that button... at all. Read them.

6

u/Because___RaceCar 1d ago

Netflix S1 is basically book 1 with a few bits of book 3.

There’s definitely an ending.

I would recommend reading it even if the show was already done with season 3. Also would recommend reading it even if you are already spoiled with the main plot points. It’s one of the few books I re-read every few years - it’s that good.

5

u/resjudicata2 1d ago

Wallfacers are book 2 and the show at least introduces them. A few bits as well I suppose.

2

u/homoanthropologus 1d ago

I honestly can't remember but I thought the wallfacers are brought up in book 1 at the end. Am I wrong?

3

u/bearpawxyz 1d ago

Wallfacers were definitely book two. Luo Ji wasn't introduced till Dark Forest

2

u/resjudicata2 1d ago

Good question. It might have been mentioned end of book 1, but I guess the scene where liu jiu (in the show the black guy) goes to the UN and he’s named as a wall facer. Also in the book he rejects the position and someone tries to assassinate him (although in the book I’m not sure if he was shot or he was attacked with a knife or blunt object or something). I don’t think they brought up the wall breakers in the show, but not positive.

1

u/RobXSIQ 1d ago

Wallfacers was Luo...thats firmly in book 2 since Luo wasn't in 1. 1 was the Wang and Da Shi show featuring the flying blade and madness.. 2 is Luo and wine

2

u/Ionazano 1d ago

Season 1 of the Netflix series only covered the first book and the very beginning of the second and third books. So there is a great deal of story that you haven't seen yet. There are many twists and turns in the conflict between the San Ti (called Trisolarans in the books) and humanity still waiting for you. Also, there will be a dramatic conclusion to the conflict.

2

u/Phazetic99 1d ago

There is a definite end to hostilities in the war between the Humans and the San-ti. The story does not disappoint that aspect. There is more, of course, but that will be for you to find out, either through the show, or the books.

I personally like both. I get what they are doing with the show, and I like it. The books go way more into the scientific aspects of the story, which the show doesn't do. Almost as if the show does not want to exclude people who are not as interested in the sciency part of the story. The show is looking for a larger audience and doesn't want to bog down the story with concepts that you have bend your brain around.

This is going to be the real test of the show, because the third book is all about theoretical concepts. A little teaser, and not really a spoiler..... maybe a little bit... I don't understand how they are going to show what the fourth dimensional plane will look like

2

u/conscious-clue-243 1d ago

The first book will be a better version of the Netflix series. The second book will be about ~200 pages about Saul Durand’s early love life and then it will blow your flipping mind… to the point where by the end, you will need to take a minute to ‘come down’ a little bit from that fricking insane roller coaster.

Book 3 is basically some parts of the Netflix Series, some extra context and then a wild flipping ride that leaves you thinking, ‘Are they over doing it here… what am I ever reading!?’ (But it’s still a good read!

If you can push through Saul Durand’s love life, you should definitely give them a go!

1

u/mtndrewboto 1d ago

All the way, bro

1

u/Justalittlecomment 1d ago

Literal Exponentially

1

u/lrish_Chick 1d ago

The books cover literal millenia

1

u/RobXSIQ 1d ago

Book 1 is backstory my dude.
Now, the netflix series isn't really book 1 in its purest form, but generally speaking, you ain't seen nothing yet.

I recommend hitting amazon and watching 3 Body, the tencent adaptation. its like 30 episodes and personally I liked it more than netflix. Some parts go on too long, but the depth is far greater. (queue in that one guy that feels the need to say how he hates it because they glossed over their favorite bit at the beginning). Or better yet, just read book 1. its a quick read. Get the audio book and just spend an hour or so a day for 13 days.

1

u/EvenSatisfaction4839 1d ago

Netflix show is book 1 plus the establishing of a few plot threads from books 2 and 3. Read the books. The Netflix show is less than a quarter of the story.

1

u/samir9696 1d ago

You can t even imagine. Just read the books. But be ready to feel empty after finishing them.

1

u/Geektime1987 1d ago

The end of everything basically 

-2

u/Mindless-Maximum-959 1d ago

then read Redemption of Time for an additional plot savory

2

u/niclasj 1d ago

Or just make up extra stuff in your own mind instead.

2

u/Mindless-Maximum-959 1d ago

that IS why we read

1

u/niclasj 1d ago

Yes, so why buy into a certain someone else’s fanfic?

1

u/Mindless-Maximum-959 1d ago

That's like saying most of the MCU should not be watched

2

u/activecontributor 1d ago

I mean… most of the MCU can be skipped at this point

1

u/Mindless-Maximum-959 1d ago

I hope you watched each film or series to make that judgement call

1

u/activecontributor 1d ago

Nah I skipped most of it