Ball Lightning

I found the physics-related ideas very exciting, although probably not true. It doesn't matter. Good sci-fi aims to excite the mind, and this book achieved that. In several places of this book I thought: "I've never thought this way." Physics-related parts are mind-provoking. I found social and relationship parts less so. It's too bad that the author confirms man-woman stereotypes such as: woman will cry even if previously shown as a strong character, and men will never show tears. This can be quite damaging (to men), maybe it's related to the author's cultural background. The sci-fi ideas are further developed in his 3body problem.

This book is quite the snoozer. If you enjoy hard science fiction that is 95% like reading a science textbook, 5% plot, and 0% characterization, then this is the book for you. Otherwise, skip it.