⚡ Liu Cixin Universe: "Ball Lightning" — The Prequel to Three-Body
红岸基地
2026年5月17日 20:14
⚡ "Ball Lightning" — Three-Body's Hidden Prequel
Many readers don't know that "Ball Lightning" and Three-Body share the same universe. Professor Ding Yi (the physics giant in Three-Body) is one of the main characters in "Ball Lightning."
About "Ball Lightning"
Published: 2004 (before Three-Body)
Genre: Hard sci-fi
Theme: Microscopic world, quantum mechanics, warfare
Synopsis
"Ball Lightning" tells the story of a young man who witnesses his parents killed by ball lightning, and dedicates his life to studying this mysterious natural phenomenon. He eventually discovers that ball lightning is a microscopic quantum effect — and its military applications will change the face of warfare.
Connection to Three-Body
- Ding Yi: The Professor Ding Yi from Three-Body first appeared in "Ball Lightning"
- Macro-atomic fusion: The macro-atom concept in Ball Lightning laid the foundation for Three-Body's microscopic particle interference
- Same universe: Liu Cixin has confirmed both works take place in the same universe
TV Adaptation
The TV adaptation of "Ball Lightning" has completed filming, produced by Chen Sicheng. Release date TBD.
Why Read It
"Ball Lightning" is shorter and more focused than Three-Body, but equally filled with Liu Cixin's signature "cold imagination." If you're new to Liu Cixin, "Ball Lightning" is a great starting point.
*Source: Liu Cixin's works collection*
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