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The sequels are where it really takes off. The Dark Forest is far more terrifying - one of the darkest SF books I've read.

I think cultural differences play into the read a lot, too. It's an intensely Chinese novel, and I'm pretty sure a lot of Americans find his perspectives on history jarring, and want something more "entertaining" and personal.

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I'm not American, and there was nothing wrong to me with the book's historical perspective. What I didn't like was the lack of depth; there's barely any characterization or nuance or world-building, and it's written in this juvenile language that makes Haruki Murakami look like Proust. It's so comically bad that I was unsure at first if maybe it was supposed to be a satire and something was lost on me.

I've read subsequently that this is how a lot of Chinese fiction is written, so maybe that's just how it is.

Sounds like it might be worth reading the rest for the ideas, but there's so much else out there I want to read.

It's just how Chinese fiction is. My spouse has a master's degree in Chinese pedagogy, so I've had more exposure than most to Chinese ideas and fiction.

To be fair, that doesn't make it good! :-)

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