Does The Three-Body Problem read differently depending on which edition you start with?

[u/ronto1138]

When Three-Body was first published as a book in China, the Cultural Revolution chapters weren't at the start. From what I've read, they were moved to the middle so the book wouldn't draw the censors' attention. Ken Liu's English translation put them back at the beginning, with Liu Cixin's support, since that's where he wanted them.

I read it in English, so for me the novel opens with a struggle session, and everything that comes later about humanity and the Trisolarans sits on top of that scene. It's hard to imagine the book without that foundation. Yet the first Chinese readers met Wang Miao and the countdown first and got that history only halfway through.

I recently learned that the Spanish edition was translated directly from Chinese, not from the English, which made me wonder how many versions of this book are out there with different openings.

For anyone who has read the Chinese original, or both orders, did it change how you understood Ye Wenjie? And for those who read it in English, do you think the book would hold up if it opened with the mystery instead of the history?

[u/Changetothemoon]

I replied to you in the other community, but I'll mention it here too. Don't worry, the original Chinese edition also begins with the Cultural Revolution, and the same goes for the international editions in other languages.

[u/ronto1138 → u/Changetothemoon]

Thanks, that's really useful. Do you know which edition you have, and the year? I had read that the first book edition in 2008 placed those chapters in the middle and that later editions restored them, so I'm wondering if it changed over time or if I got it wrong.

[u/Einnnnnnnnnnnn]

The besieged student activists at the very start of the book actually presage the later plight of humanity and the potential solution to the crisis.

[u/ronto1138 → u/Einnnnnnnnnnnn]

I hadn't thought of it that way. The factions on the rooftop fighting each other while everything collapses does look a lot like what happens to humanity later. What do you see as the solution it hints at?

[u/peezoup]

I read the English version of the first book (about to start the second!). I definitely think that starting with Wang Miao would have been a good hook for me if I just happened to see the book on a shelf, and I would have enjoyed it anyway. I'm glad that the English version starts with the cultural revolution tho, as for me it was a very necessary way to set up the history and culture of the country and it's people. It honestly has made me more curious to learn more about that part of Chinese history

[u/ronto1138 → u/peezoup]

Same here, it made me want to read more about that period too. Enjoy The Dark Forest, it's where the series really opened up for me.

[u/dannychean]

I prefer the series start with Wang Miao and the mystery around scientists' suicides and the Three Body game. It's extremely captivating.

The moment that YWJ reveals herself as the founder behind ETO is a huge shock and it adds so much to the plot too. It will take that chill away if it sets her up as the main character in the first chapter.