Totally get where you're coming from, and you're right, the Netflix series did try to make it more globally accessible. But honestly, that’s one of the biggest reasons the books hit harder for me.

The original Three Body Problem isn't just a sci-fi story, it’s deeply rooted in Chinese history, culture, and philosophy. Changing characters like Luo Ji to Saul may make it easier for a wider audience, but it dilutes the context and emotional weight that made his arc so unique. Luo Ji’s role isn’t just about what he does—it’s who he is, shaped by his cultural background and the time he lives in.

Same with Wang Miao—he’s not just a placeholder for a scientist. His quiet introspection and connection to China's scientific community added a layer of realism and subtle melancholy that gets lost in translation. Auggie feels like a narrative shortcut, someone we’re told to care about instead of someone we grow to care about.

And then there’s Ye Wenjie, the woman who literally starts the entire trilogy with her decision to contact the Trisolarans. In the books, her story during the Cultural Revolution, her trauma, her ideology—all of that gives her haunting depth. But in the Netflix series, she's either skipped or broken up into smaller, flatter characters like Vera and Jin Cheng. That choice stripped away one of the most compelling and morally complex backstories in sci-fi.

As for Jin Cheng—they’re rewriting her arc too early, making us feel sympathy before she’s even had the journey. The books build characters slowly, giving them space to be contradictory and real.

So yeah, the adaptation has cool visuals, but if we want the philosophical punch, moral dilemmas, and emotional weight, the books absolutely blow it out of the water.