I just finished a really interesting Chinese-translated science fiction novel called The Three-Body Problem. The title refers to the classic physics problem regarding the motion of three equal masses in space and their gravitational interactions.

First of all, the translation is very good, though it keeps the original meaning and cadence of the Chinese script, and in that sense it may feel stilted and often cold. The characters are all flat, and I believe that's a reflection of the author's culture rather than a lack of writing talent. The most disappointing aspect is that the main character basically doesn't exist but to show or explain things to the audience. At its best though, the book is a deeply compelling and original first-encounter adventure with a frame story set inside a hyper-realistic VR game that simulates human history in the backdrop of a three-sun solar system experiencing unpredictable chaotic periods that frequently wipe out all of civilization, creating a slowly progressing atavistic groundhog day.

The novel is true hard science fiction, and those without much technical background may find themselves glossing over long sections of mathematical explanations, but they're often prefaced with simple explanations for novices.

If you're interested in it, I would encourage you to not look up plot details, as there are multiple twists and revelations that will disrupt the tension it builds through flashbacks and allegories in the VR game.