The Glory and the Dream

To eliminate war in the world, the international community launched a project called the “Peace Window,” hoping that conflicts could be conducted in a less harmful, life-respecting way. The story takes place in Beijing in 2008, where the Olympic Games are chosen as a substitute for war. The Republic of West Asia (modeled after Iraq)—a nation long isolated and sanctioned by war, with people suffering from poverty and hunger—becomes the first experimental subject of this initiative. But can the “Peace Window” project really succeed?

In a tragic turn, an impoverished gymnast named Riley, who had resorted to prostitution to survive, breaks her neck while attempting a difficult routine. Sarri, the athlete with the best chance to win a gold medal, withdraws from competition after being denied the large prize money he demanded. Meanwhile, the silent heroine of the story, Sinnie, dies of exhaustion on the marathon track in her pursuit of honor and dreams.

In this novel, Liu Cixin delicately examines human nature, presenting characters with complexity rather than moral clarity. Each character reflects different facets of humanity, leaving readers unable to judge them simply as good or evil.