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Yuanyuan's Bubbles: Cixin Liu Graphic Novels #4
The fourth in a new series of graphic novels from Hugo Award-winning author Liu Cixin and Talos Press
Ever since she was a child, Yuanyuan always dreamed of blowing big bubbles. But her father worries about her fascination—he wants Yuanyuan to be as responsible and devoted to a calling as her mother was. As an adult, Yuanyuan creates a multimillion-dollar business out of the technology she developed for her doctoral thesis. But she still dreams of blowing the biggest bubble she can. When his daughter uses her high-tech methods to blow a bubble big enough to envelop a city, Yuanyuan’s father thinks back to the dreams he and Yuanyuan’s mother chased when they were young. In the end, Yuanyuan’s bubbles bring her father’s dreams to life.
The fourth of sixteen new graphic novels from Liu Cixin and Talos Press, Yuanyuan's Bubbles is an epic tale of the future that all science fiction fans will enjoy.
Ever since she was a child, Yuanyuan always dreamed of blowing big bubbles. But her father worries about her fascination—he wants Yuanyuan to be as responsible and devoted to a calling as her mother was. As an adult, Yuanyuan creates a multimillion-dollar business out of the technology she developed for her doctoral thesis. But she still dreams of blowing the biggest bubble she can. When his daughter uses her high-tech methods to blow a bubble big enough to envelop a city, Yuanyuan’s father thinks back to the dreams he and Yuanyuan’s mother chased when they were young. In the end, Yuanyuan’s bubbles bring her father’s dreams to life.
The fourth of sixteen new graphic novels from Liu Cixin and Talos Press, Yuanyuan's Bubbles is an epic tale of the future that all science fiction fans will enjoy.
72 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2021
8 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 11, 2021
I loved this one most of all so far - it's such a sweet and optimistic story! No matter how silly one idea might seem to others, it could make a difference in the world, one just has to keep trying and believe in oneself.
"In this new era, being a little more relaxed and carefree isn't a weekness."
The illustrations match the story perfectly, the colours, everything. Simply wonderful in all aspects.
The original story can be read/listened to online on Clarkesworld: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/liu_...
"In this new era, being a little more relaxed and carefree isn't a weekness."
The illustrations match the story perfectly, the colours, everything. Simply wonderful in all aspects.
The original story can be read/listened to online on Clarkesworld: https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/liu_...
November 15, 2024
2.5 stars
It was short and the author manages to make clear the reality and the devastating effects of famine and lack of water. That said… I really couldn’t stand the naive and aloof behavior of the main character 😭
She’s a genius and it makes sense for the story but my god.
Audiobook but I couldn’t find the right book in the app
It was short and the author manages to make clear the reality and the devastating effects of famine and lack of water. That said… I really couldn’t stand the naive and aloof behavior of the main character 😭
She’s a genius and it makes sense for the story but my god.
Audiobook but I couldn’t find the right book in the app
December 11, 2016
Stupendo ! Un racconto di SF assolutamente perfetto, con una prosa notevolissima ed una storia affascinanate. Grazie a Francesco Verso per averci messo a disposizione in italiano questa meraviglia.
July 26, 2022
刘慈欣 Liú Cíxīn has such a creative mind! His sci-fi stories pose interesting questions and even more inspiring solutions.
I really liked this one, the illustrations were beautiful. I loved the idea that something so simple and mundane, used in creative and large-scale ways can create miracles.
I really liked this one, the illustrations were beautiful. I loved the idea that something so simple and mundane, used in creative and large-scale ways can create miracles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2021
With its positive view of how science can help solve problems for the future, along with a focus on simple, yet distinctive human characters, “Yuanyuan’s Bubbles,” by Liu Cixin would not be out of place in a 1940s issue of Astounding Science Stories. In other words, it’s evidence to believe that China is in a Golden age of science fiction, reflecting faith in science, and faith in themselves.
Despite its brevity, the story follows protagonist Yuanyuan from early childhood to mature adulthood, from playful, dreamy girl, to highly capable scientist and corporate investor — someone who could give Elon Musk a run for his money! Yuanyuan’s interest in blowing bubbles symbolizes the dreamy, associative and curious personality that ultimately makes the big breakthroughs, in this case using bubbles to irrigate the desert and save her father’s passion project, a new Chinese city in the country’s northwest.
The central conflict is that between a father and a daughter, with the more practical-minded father mostly unsatisfied with his daughter’s dreaminess:
One is reminded of the 2019 Pixar film, Soul, in which ‘just regular living’ is celebrated as much as having a strong sense of purpose. The underlying idea that humanity’s playful side is at least as important as its disciplined side to produce genius makes the story a heartwarming and inspiring piece, perfect for young readers. The art by Stephan Dupré builds a very credible setting for Yuanyuan’s life trajectory, with many realistic details from contemporary China (a ‘Gree’ air conditioner in one room suggests the artists know the place well). And Yuanyuan is one of Liu Cixin’s most distinctive characters, with her large mouth and wide face, most often upturned against her challengers in dauntless confidence.
Despite its brevity, the story follows protagonist Yuanyuan from early childhood to mature adulthood, from playful, dreamy girl, to highly capable scientist and corporate investor — someone who could give Elon Musk a run for his money! Yuanyuan’s interest in blowing bubbles symbolizes the dreamy, associative and curious personality that ultimately makes the big breakthroughs, in this case using bubbles to irrigate the desert and save her father’s passion project, a new Chinese city in the country’s northwest.
The central conflict is that between a father and a daughter, with the more practical-minded father mostly unsatisfied with his daughter’s dreaminess:
Father: “You have to be like your mother, with long-term goals for life”
Yuanyuan, smiling broadly: “I have a long-term goal!”
Father: “Oh, tell Daddy, then.”
Yuan-yuan: “To blow....huge....huge...bubbles!”
Father: “Bubbles? Ugh, I’m wasting my time with you.”
One is reminded of the 2019 Pixar film, Soul, in which ‘just regular living’ is celebrated as much as having a strong sense of purpose. The underlying idea that humanity’s playful side is at least as important as its disciplined side to produce genius makes the story a heartwarming and inspiring piece, perfect for young readers. The art by Stephan Dupré builds a very credible setting for Yuanyuan’s life trajectory, with many realistic details from contemporary China (a ‘Gree’ air conditioner in one room suggests the artists know the place well). And Yuanyuan is one of Liu Cixin’s most distinctive characters, with her large mouth and wide face, most often upturned against her challengers in dauntless confidence.
December 22, 2025
2.5 stelle.
Scritta bene con una bella idea, ma mi sono annoiata molto.
Scritta bene con una bella idea, ma mi sono annoiata molto.
September 18, 2021
This is a beautifully illustrated book, that tells the story of Yuanyuan and her obsession with bubbles! She dreams of blowing the biggest bubble, but her father is always there in the background to puncture her dreams. A classic tale of a realist vs a dreamer.
Their city is dying, times are tough but there's something about Yuanyuan that keeps her dreaming and, like her mother, she won't let up on her dreams of finding a way to use her bubbles to save the world. Her mother died following her dreams so you can understand her father and his attitude towards her vision and her pipe dreams.
The illustrations are stunning! They are a beautiful earthy tone throughout that really connects with the story and really amplify the message of hope v despair. It's a beautifully simple story that I adored and I look forward to reading more from this series as the pictures really do help add depth to the story.
Their city is dying, times are tough but there's something about Yuanyuan that keeps her dreaming and, like her mother, she won't let up on her dreams of finding a way to use her bubbles to save the world. Her mother died following her dreams so you can understand her father and his attitude towards her vision and her pipe dreams.
The illustrations are stunning! They are a beautiful earthy tone throughout that really connects with the story and really amplify the message of hope v despair. It's a beautifully simple story that I adored and I look forward to reading more from this series as the pictures really do help add depth to the story.
December 6, 2021
I'm only casually familiar with Cixin Liu from The Wandering Earth (though I've only watched the film) but I know of his reputation and The Three-Body Problem is on my long list of sci-fi to get to someday. Good thing the genre is my current binge! This was a good entry point to his work, fulfilling both my sci-fi craving and need for graphic novels/short reads at this time of year. Yuanyuan seems like a bit of a frivolous character, but the ending makes up for that and is quite moving. And who doesn't love bubbles, the bigger the better!
January 30, 2024
The fourth in a new series of graphic novels from Hugo Award-winning author Liu Cixin and Talos Press has its own Facebook animatic trailer (in Mandarin).
Since childhood, Yuanyuan always dreamed of blowing big bubbles. But her father worries about her fascination—he wants Yuanyuan to be as responsible and devoted to a calling as her mother was, even though her mother always put her work first (to the extent of missing Yuan Yuan's birthday) and was largely an absent parent until her untimely death.
As an adult, Yuanyuan creates a multimillion-dollar business out of the technology she developed for her doctoral thesis. But she still dreams of blowing the biggest bubble she can. Needless to say her father STILL disapproves, in the familiar way of Asian parents,
but Yuan Yuan persists.
"Maybe my whole life is a joke. But it's my life and my mission."
When his daughter uses her high-tech methods to blow a bubble big enough to envelop a city, disaster strikes!
To which Yuan Yuan, horrified, can only proclaim helplessly:-
However, the story ends on a more upbeat note. Every invention is neutral but can be put to a good (or evil) use by the inventor or a creative person. In this story Yuanyuan is clearly extremely smart, and comes up with a phenomenal way to use her invention! When it finally takes shape, Yuanyuan’s bubbles bring her father’s dreams to life.
Since childhood, Yuanyuan always dreamed of blowing big bubbles. But her father worries about her fascination—he wants Yuanyuan to be as responsible and devoted to a calling as her mother was, even though her mother always put her work first (to the extent of missing Yuan Yuan's birthday) and was largely an absent parent until her untimely death.
As an adult, Yuanyuan creates a multimillion-dollar business out of the technology she developed for her doctoral thesis. But she still dreams of blowing the biggest bubble she can. Needless to say her father STILL disapproves, in the familiar way of Asian parents,
but Yuan Yuan persists.
"Maybe my whole life is a joke. But it's my life and my mission."
When his daughter uses her high-tech methods to blow a bubble big enough to envelop a city, disaster strikes!
To which Yuan Yuan, horrified, can only proclaim helplessly:-
However, the story ends on a more upbeat note. Every invention is neutral but can be put to a good (or evil) use by the inventor or a creative person. In this story Yuanyuan is clearly extremely smart, and comes up with a phenomenal way to use her invention! When it finally takes shape, Yuanyuan’s bubbles bring her father’s dreams to life.
July 23, 2024
Un racconto sci-fi breve, magico ed affascinante!
Dall'autore de "Il problema dei tre corpi" arriva questo piccolo racconto che, con una scrittura semplice, scorrevole e con qualche pizzico di surrealismo, incoraggia a seguire le proprie passioni e la nostra immaginazione. Ci parla di ambiente, della società cinese e del gap generazionale tra la protagonista, prima bambina e poi giovane adulta, e il padre, il tutto insegnandoci a trovare soluzioni efficaci, unendo vecchie e nuove idee, e mostrando il valore della collaborazione e del pensiero creativo.
Dall'autore de "Il problema dei tre corpi" arriva questo piccolo racconto che, con una scrittura semplice, scorrevole e con qualche pizzico di surrealismo, incoraggia a seguire le proprie passioni e la nostra immaginazione. Ci parla di ambiente, della società cinese e del gap generazionale tra la protagonista, prima bambina e poi giovane adulta, e il padre, il tutto insegnandoci a trovare soluzioni efficaci, unendo vecchie e nuove idee, e mostrando il valore della collaborazione e del pensiero creativo.
September 23, 2021
A sweet and meaningful short story that encourages following your passions and imagination, creating meaningful solutions by combining old and new ideas, and shows the value in collaboration and creative thinking.
May 8, 2025
Un racconto fin troppo prevedibile!
L'idea di usare il genere sci-fi e i temi dell'ecologia più odierna , erano interessanti in partenza eppure lungo il racconto il tema delle "bolle", fa da eccessivo spoiler per le sequenze finali, togliendoti pure ogni sorpesa al rapporto "ricucito"!
L'idea di usare il genere sci-fi e i temi dell'ecologia più odierna , erano interessanti in partenza eppure lungo il racconto il tema delle "bolle", fa da eccessivo spoiler per le sequenze finali, togliendoti pure ogni sorpesa al rapporto "ricucito"!
July 23, 2022
Review to follow!
December 24, 2022
A delightful and hope-filled story.
January 14, 2023
Quaint visual and sensorial journey into what can be fun, beautiful and useful.
June 3, 2023
Cixin Liu's “Yuanyuan’s Bubbles”
Interesting. Creative idea of how to address the devastation of famine. ***
Interesting. Creative idea of how to address the devastation of famine. ***
August 6, 2023
2.75* actual rating.
April 20, 2024
Loved the imagination of the story and I think there
was quite a bit of science behind it. What a wonderful
idea.
was quite a bit of science behind it. What a wonderful
idea.
June 14, 2025
Un racconto breve ma davvero ben scritto e strutturato.
November 30, 2024
Poetico e leggero. Una fiaba di fantascienza positivista che si legge in un lampo.
April 16, 2024
3 stars
I knew of Cixin Liu from his other writings, but I didn't realize he had graphic novels. This was a cute story of a girl following her dream. I realized while reading it that I was not its intended audience. The plot reads like a book for a six-year-old, yet the language and terminology seem a little too complex for a young child. I don't know who the intended audience was.
I knew of Cixin Liu from his other writings, but I didn't realize he had graphic novels. This was a cute story of a girl following her dream. I realized while reading it that I was not its intended audience. The plot reads like a book for a six-year-old, yet the language and terminology seem a little too complex for a young child. I don't know who the intended audience was.
April 10, 2022
YuanYuan’s Bubbles offers a very interesting story telling us of a realistic future where global warming has already done its damages. It also demonstrate that even the most whimsical scientific endeavour can eventually be useful and even save humanity from disaster. The art is rather average but it is worth reading. I find the whole series fascinating because it offers a window on Chinese science-fiction and an easy approach, through comics, to Liu Cixin’s works. Because of his scientific background, his writings are considered hard science-fiction but they remain easy to read and offer stimulating reflections on the paths that humanity should (or not) take in the future. I also like the fact that this project is really an international collaboration. For example, YuanYuan’s Bubbles’ creators are both French speaking: Valérie Mangin is a French writer, a latinist!, and Steven Dupré is a Belgian artist who publishes in both French and Dutch languages. They also collaborated together on the series Le Club des prédateurs.
All in all, YuanYuan’s Bubbles is a very good reading, even more so if you are interested in compelling science-fiction, Chinese literature or Liu Cixin’s works. I can’t wait to read the other titles of this series…
Read my complete comment on http://clodjee-blog.com/2022/04/10/yu...
All in all, YuanYuan’s Bubbles is a very good reading, even more so if you are interested in compelling science-fiction, Chinese literature or Liu Cixin’s works. I can’t wait to read the other titles of this series…
Read my complete comment on http://clodjee-blog.com/2022/04/10/yu...
February 20, 2017
Un breve romanzo di fantascienza di uno scrittore cinese famoso per la trilogia The Three Body Problem che ho intenzione di leggere a breve. Questo breve racconto ha una sua poetica che definirei "romantica". Si legge in massimo un'ora!
November 26, 2020
eccezionale, veramente piacevole e stimolante
July 30, 2024
A heartwarming and speculative short story about the relationship between a father and his daughter.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews