Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy is moving from international science-fiction phenomenon to premium collector’s item. The series inspired Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, which is expected to return for a second season in 2026, and has sold millions of copies worldwide.
First published in China between 2006 and 2010, the novels were translated into English by Ken Liu for Tor Books in 2014. The trilogy has also won both Hugo and Locus awards, cementing its place among modern hard-science-fiction landmarks.
One volume, three landmark novels
The Three-Body Problem Trilogy: Remembrance of Earth’s Past brings The Three-Body Problem, The Dark Forest and Death’s End together in a single 1,344-page edition.
Matt Griffin, whose previous book artwork includes projects connected with Star Wars and Dune, has created three black-and-white title-page spreads and 15 colour illustrations for the collection.
The limited edition begins with an introduction by Liu Cixin that had not previously been published in English. It also includes a bookplate signed by both Liu and Griffin.
Artwork built around impossible worlds
The trilogy’s central scientific idea comes from the three-body problem: an astrophysics model concerning the movement of three interconnected bodies, traditionally represented by Earth, the Moon and the Sun.
In Liu’s story, an alien civilisation lives on a planet orbiting three suns. Its people cannot reliably predict the suns’ movements, leaving them exposed to devastating climate shifts. When the Trisolarans contact Earth, some hope humanity can help solve the problem; others see our planet as a potential refuge from their unstable home.
Griffin’s design extends beyond the illustrations. The lining of the special edition incorporates genuine three-body simulations he produced with an MIT programme, giving the physical book a direct connection to the science at the heart of the story.
A premium edition for serious collectors
The Folio Society editor James Rose described the novels as a story that begins during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and reaches approximately 18 million years into the future. He also framed the trilogy around humanity’s struggle, an endangered civilisation and the question of whether we are alone in the universe.
That scale is reflected in the presentation. The edition is aimed at established fans, readers interested in hard science and newcomers looking for a particularly substantial entry point into the series.
Price and release details
The Three-Body Problem Trilogy: Remembrance of Earth’s Past will be sold through the Folio Society’s website for $780, with sales beginning at 11 a.m. ET on 8 September 2026. The source material does not provide an Australian price or local availability.
That price places the book firmly in collector territory. For comparison, a $2,200 Folio Society edition of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire sold out within three hours after its release the previous month.
For Australian collectors who enjoy displaying major pieces of pop culture, the edition’s visual presentation could sit comfortably alongside a dedicated arcade and gaming collection. Anyone planning a themed entertainment space can also browse the arcade machine buying guide or explore compact bartop arcades when considering how to use limited room.
Leave a Reply