The Three-Body Problem Lesson Plan

Despite being a work of science fiction, Liu Cixin’s The Three-Body Problem also blends real history into the narrative. How does that affect your perception of the story?

In marketing, there's a common assumption that the line "based on a true story" will help put more eyes on a product. Some students may feel interested or emotionally invested in The Three-Body Problem after learning that some aspect of it is based on history. Other students may feel that the historical elements of the novel help make the narrative feel more grounded or compelling on a human level.

The first few chapters of the American edition of The Three-Body Problem, which take place during...