If you are drawn to the books of Liu Cixin, you probably enjoy stories with big ideas, science that makes you think, and plots that span vast amounts of time and space.
He is an author who takes you on journeys to other worlds and makes you consider humanity’s place in the universe. For readers looking for authors who create stories with a similar scope and feel, here are some names you might find interesting.
Books by Isaac Asimov offer a fantastic gateway if you enjoy Liu Cixin’s style of mixing science with complex storylines. Asimov is famous for his clear storytelling and deep scientific concepts woven into each narrative.
A great book to start with is “Foundation,” the first novel in a series set far into humanity’s future. Hari Seldon, a brilliant mathematician, develops psychohistory, a science used to predict large-scale human behavior and events.
To ease humanity’s suffering during a forecasted dark age, Seldon designs an elaborate plan intended to preserve and rebuild civilization. The novel spans centuries, tracking the rise and fall of societies and the clever ways humans adapt to challenges over generations.
The combination of politics, sociology, and hard science makes “Foundation” an essential read for any Liu Cixin fan.
Readers who appreciate Liu Cixin’s imaginative and thought-provoking approach to science fiction might also enjoy Arthur C. Clarke. Clarke is famous for exploring profound questions about humanity’s future and our place in the cosmos.
One of his classic novels, “Rendezvous with Rama,” follows humanity’s response as a mysterious spacecraft, Rama, passes through our solar system.
A crew of astronauts is sent to investigate, and what they find aboard Rama challenges their understanding of extraterrestrial life and technology. Clarke’s precise style and realistic portrayal of science gives weight to an otherwise wondrous story.
Fans of Liu’s broad perspective on civilization and technology will likely find Clarke’s work fascinating as well.
Readers who enjoyed Liu Cixin’s blend of imaginative science and thoughtful storytelling might also find Kim Stanley Robinson appealing. Robinson is an author known for exploring realistic science scenarios and their impact on humanity’s future.
His novel “Red Mars” imagines the ambitious first phases of colonizing Mars. The story follows a diverse group of settlers who face scientific, political, and personal challenges as they build a new society on the red planet.
Robinson shows readers the technical details behind the mission, giving the narrative a grounded sense of possibility.
If you liked the way Liu Cixin uses real science as the core of an engaging plot, Kim Stanley Robinson’s careful, well-researched storytelling could capture your interest too.
Readers who enjoy Liu Cixin’s stories about expansive universes and advanced civilizations might find Alastair Reynolds equally fascinating. Reynolds is known for science fiction that’s grounded in real physics and imaginative scenarios set far into humanity’s future.
His novel “Revelation Space” follows archeologist Dan Sylveste, who becomes obsessed with the fate of an ancient alien civilization that vanished mysteriously.
As Sylveste investigates, he uncovers unsettling clues about a long-buried threat and risks awakening forces better left undisturbed.
The story combines complex characters, thought-provoking mysteries, and vast cosmic themes that will appeal to anyone who loved exploring “The Three-Body Problem.”
Peter F. Hamilton is a British science fiction author who creates vast, immersive worlds filled with advanced technology and intricate political intrigue.
If you enjoyed the expansive storytelling of Liu Cixin’s “The Three-Body Problem,” Hamilton’s novel “Pandora’s Star” might interest you. In “Pandora’s Star,” humanity has mastered space travel, colonized hundreds of worlds, and is bound together under one commonwealth.
An astronomer observes something impossible: two distant stars vanish simultaneously. Curiosity leads humans toward the mysterious Dyson spheres, structures enclosing entire star systems; what they find there threatens civilization itself.
Hamilton weaves together detailed character development, speculative technology, and sprawling narratives that explore humanity’s potential and limitations.
Readers who enjoy Liu Cixin’s imaginative exploration of bold scientific concepts might find Greg Egan fascinating too. Egan is known for weaving hard science into stories that stretch the reader’s perception of reality.
His novel “Permutation City” introduces readers to a future where human consciousness can be digitally scanned and simulated, raising questions about identity, reality, and immortality.
The story follows Paul Durham, a man who creates an ambitious and controversial digital world, and Maria Deluca, a scientist working on artificial life forms called Autoverse.
Egan carefully crafts their experiences into a thoughtful and stimulating narrative, full of intriguing ideas that challenge the very meaning of existence.
Readers who enjoy Liu Cixin’s imaginative approach to science fiction might also appreciate Neal Stephenson. Stephenson combines deep technological insights, complex worlds, and a sharp narrative style in novels like “Snow Crash”.
In this cyberpunk classic, he introduces us to Hiro Protagonist, a hacker who stumbles onto a dangerous new drug called Snow Crash.
The drug not only affects computers but also infects the minds of users, and the stakes quickly rise as Hiro races to unravel its origins and prevent a global disaster.
Readers fascinated by Liu Cixin’s ideas about technology and humanity will find Stephenson’s vision equally captivating.
Readers who enjoy Liu Cixin’s imaginative blend of science fiction and thought-provoking ideas may find Robert J. Sawyer’s work fascinating. Sawyer, a Canadian science fiction author, is known for exploring profound scientific themes with relatable characters.
His novel “Calculating God” introduces readers to an alien visitor arriving at the Royal Ontario Museum. The alien seeks cooperation with a human paleontologist to explore possible scientific evidence for the existence of God.
Sawyer puts aliens and humans together to ask big questions about faith, science, and our place in the universe. Fans of Cixin’s broad and ambitious storytelling might appreciate the unique perspective Sawyer provides in “Calculating God.”
Philip K. Dick is an author known for imaginative stories that explore reality, technology, and human perception. If you enjoy the thoughtful science fiction of Liu Cixin, you might appreciate Dick’s novel “Ubik.”
This novel introduces Joe Chip, a technician in a future where people face psychic espionage. After a mysterious accident, reality seems to shift for Chip and his colleagues, and ordinary objects behave strangely.
As Joe struggles to understand what’s real, he discovers a mysterious product named Ubik that could hold the answers. Dick combines suspenseful storytelling with profound themes about identity and reality, creating a novel that’s inventive yet deeply human.
If you enjoy Liu Cixin’s imaginative science fiction that explores vast worlds and profound themes, Frank Herbert is an author worth discovering.
Herbert is best known for his novel “Dune,” a classic of science fiction literature set in a distant future where noble families compete for control over the desert planet Arrakis.
Arrakis holds the powerful spice melange, necessary for space travel and powerful strategic influence.
The story follows Paul Atreides, heir to House Atreides, as he navigates political intrigues, dangerous desert storms, and complex cultural conflicts involving the native Fremen.
Herbert’s storytelling combines rich world-building, political drama, and introspective philosophical questions about ecology, religion, and power.
Fans of Liu’s expansive and carefully crafted universes will appreciate the depth and detail Herbert brings to his legendary series.
Ted Chiang is an American science fiction author who crafts thought-provoking stories blending hard science and philosophical questions. If you’ve enjoyed Liu Cixin’s “The Three-Body Problem,” Chiang’s collection “Stories of Your Life and Others” might be worth exploring.
This anthology features the remarkable tale “Story of Your Life,” which inspired the movie “Arrival.” In this narrative, a linguistics expert is tasked with communicating with enigmatic extraterrestrial visitors who perceive reality in an entirely unique manner.
Chiang skillfully weaves linguistic concepts, time perception, and human emotion into a complex and imaginative exploration of first contact.
His storytelling clarity and intellectual depth have an appeal similar to Liu’s work, offering intriguing scenarios that stir curiosity and reflection about the universe and our place within it.
Vernor Vinge is an author who stands out for imaginative science fiction driven by captivating concepts and mind-expanding ideas. Fans of Liu Cixin’s ambitious stories might enjoy Vinge’s novel “A Fire Upon the Deep.”
This novel presents a galaxy divided into distinct zones of thought, where different levels of intelligence and technological advancement are possible. After humans accidentally awaken a dangerous artificial intelligence entity, a desperate chase across the galaxy unfolds.
The story explores themes of advanced technology, alien civilizations, and cosmic consequences, which Liu Cixin’s readers appreciate. Vinge blends an exploration of complex scientific ideas with relatable human drama and surprises along the way.
Books by Charles Stross often tackle bold ideas and intriguing concepts, blending science fiction with thoughtful takes on technology and society. If you liked Liu Cixin’s “The Three-Body Problem,” you’ll probably enjoy “Accelerando” by Stross.
The novel spans several generations, exploring humanity’s journey through rapid technological evolution and the spread of artificial intelligence across the solar system. The book touches on how people adapt to challenges and changes brought by transformative technologies.
Stross crafts a vision of the future that’s both visionary and grounded, inviting readers to imagine humanity’s place in an era of profound transformation.
Dan Simmons is an American author known for blending science fiction, history, and literary elements into stories that are thought-provoking and imaginative. His novel “Hyperion” is a great entry point if you enjoy Liu Cixin’s approach to expansive worlds and deep themes.
“Hyperion” follows seven diverse travelers on a pilgrimage to the distant world of Hyperion, each telling a captivating personal story as they seek answers from a mysterious creature called the Shrike.
The story weaves together complex characters and richly imagined landscapes, presenting high concepts and thoughtful explorations of humanity and technology that resonate deeply with readers interested in Liu Cixin’s style.
Readers who enjoy Liu Cixin’s imaginative and thought-provoking science fiction might appreciate Michael Swanwick’s inventive storytelling and vivid science fiction worlds. His novel “Stations of the Tide” explores a distant planet facing an approaching catastrophic flood.
An unnamed bureaucrat journeys to uncover forbidden technology stolen by a mysterious magician. Swanwick blends futuristic technology with elements of fantasy and mystery, creating a narrative full of surprises, tension, and moments of wonder.