THE English version of a Chinese sci-fi novel has been nominated in the 2014 Nebula Awards, the publishers announced last month.

    “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin is among six novels nominated by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America. The other five nominees are all works by English-speaking writers.

    The first part of Liu’s “Three Body” trilogy was translated into English by Chinese-American sci-fi writer Ken Liu, a winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards himself. It was published by Tor Books in November.

    Starting in 2006, the trilogy was serialized in Science Fiction World, the most established journal of science fiction in China. The book won the Galaxy Award that year.

    In the trilogy, the entire solar system is flattened into two dimensions in an apocalyptic battle between humans and aliens. It has been hailed for its extraordinary artistry by Chinese sci-fi lovers.

    Liu said that although his chances of winning are slim, the nomination means a lot to the Chinese sci-fi community.

    Some 20,000 copies have been sold since the translated version hit shelves in the United States in November.

    The Nebula Award is a major international award for sci-fi novels. The results are expected in April.

    “Three Body” is actually the title of the first book of a trilogy named “Remembrance of Earth’s Past,” but readers have widely referred to the whole series as the “Three Body” trilogy.

    Not just an entertaining piece of science fiction, the book also touches upon many important issues of real life, like climate change and the purpose of human existence in a universe where we may or may not be alone.

    Liu, a 51-year-old from Shanxi, is said to be China’s most recognized science fiction writer. He has had a day job for most of his writing career as a computer engineer for a power plant at Niangziguan, North China’s Shanxi Province.(SD-Agencies)“The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin.