The language divide between China and the English-speaking world has often obscured some remarkable works of science fiction. One such hidden treasure is Cixin Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy. With the series now available in English, global readers can delve into these exceptional narratives. The three books in this trilogy are titled The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest, and Death’s End. The English edition of Death’s End, translated by Ken Liu, was released at the end of last month and is definitely worth exploring.
A defining feature of the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy is its expansive scope. The Three-Body Problem kicks off on Earth as humanity faces its first encounter with extraterrestrial life, while The Dark Forest deals with the dilemmas of deep-space exploration, revealing the hurdles humans must overcome to reach even the nearest stars. In contrast, Death’s End stretches its imaginative horizons to encompass the entire universe, exploring a multitude of stars across countless galaxies.
This vastness can result in some intricate and complex passages, which may prove challenging for some readers. However, those familiar with hard science fiction—works that emphasize scientific precision and technical detail, such as Poul Anderson’s Tau Zero or Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous With Rama—will likely navigate Death’s End with relative ease.
Fans of space opera are drawn to the theories surrounding intelligent life forms and the cosmos’s cyclical nature, making Death’s End a captivating read. The characters often feel inconsequential as they ponder the vastness of the universe, grappling with their insignificance amidst cosmic conflicts that far surpass human endeavors. As powerful beings engage in battles capable of extinguishing solar systems, humanity appears to be an observer in a grand and indifferent universe.
This narrative framework serves as a commentary on society. When threats arise from entities capable of obliterating entire solar systems, panic is a natural reaction. Death’s End illustrates humanity’s struggle for survival in a universe fraught with existential risks. It poignantly highlights human vulnerabilities, portraying civilization as still maturing, akin to that of an adolescent on a galactic scale.
Yet, amid the despair, the trilogy maintains a thread of hope that drives humanity forward. However, numerous characters and societal groups make seemingly irrational decisions that border on self-destruction, echoing the real-world challenges of achieving unity. In many democratic nations, internal discord often stymies progress, a theme echoed throughout the narrative.
Cixin Liu’s rich imagination presents a wealth of ideas, though at times he appears deeply entrenched in theoretical exposition. Long passages detailing societal behavior across different future eras can become tedious for some readers. Yet, for those with an interest in futuristic technologies and interstellar conflicts, the book offers ample speculation. The narrative also explores existence in alternate dimensions, expanding concepts beyond our familiar three-dimensional experience.
Despite a somewhat lackluster cast of characters, one figure in particular stands out due to Liu’s creative brilliance. Without revealing spoilers, a character whose fate remains uncertain in The Dark Forest returns with three compelling fairy tales. This character not only exhibits remarkable resilience but also conveys significant scientific insights cleverly hidden within these narratives, which can stand alone as independent tales.
Death’s End is not necessarily an uplifting read; it can be profoundly somber. Readers may find themselves empathizing with the characters and humanity overall, given the dire circumstances. When confronted with threats from incomprehensible beings capable of annihilating star systems, the likelihood of an optimistic outcome dims. Liu’s reflections on humanity’s place in the universe resonate deeply, suggesting that our existence is but a fleeting moment on a cosmic timeline.
As the culmination of an outstanding trilogy, Death’s End stands as a landmark achievement in science fiction. Cixin Liu, a nine-time Galaxy Award winner—the Chinese equivalent of the Hugo—has secured his place as one of the leading figures in the genre. For those who prefer visual storytelling, the film adaptation of The Three-Body Problem, set for release in China in 2017, will also be available with English subtitles.
Cixin Liu’s Death’s End ebook is priced at Rs. 362, while the paperback is available for Rs. 1,134. The Three-body Problem is also accessible as an ebook for Rs. 361 or in paperback for Rs. 951. The Dark Forest is also available as an ebook for Rs. 298 or in hardcover for Rs. 951.
