I finished “Death’s End”
More [SPOILERY] thoughts under the cut. Mostly writing it for myself, because I'd like to remember some things about the book, lol.
After finishing “Dark Forest”, I stumbled upon a 2-star review on Goodreads, calling out Luo Ji’s misogyny and how the narrative didn’t punish him for it; iirc the review also went on to claim the book as misogynistic. Personally, I disagree that any kind of retribution is necessary in a fictional work. Moreover, a misogynistic character ≠ misogynistic story. However, Luo Ji does get what he maybe deserves in “Death’s End”, so. Maybe that reviewer is happy now, lol.
That said, I agree that there may be some sort of author bias against women that continues to exist in “Death’s End”, particularly in the way LCX portrays some female characters as romantic subjects for the male.
In the beginning of the book, I also think this bias kinda ruins Cheng Xin’s characterization. I think she at first believes her being a woman means she must care for the Earth like a mother would her baby. But I change my mind later on, lol. I think she is indeed somewhat trapped in these made-up gender roles, but it’s the society’s fault rather than hers. And it is because of this ridiculous norm that Sophon manages to coax Cheng Xin into becoming the Swordholder. Iirc, the image of herself holding a baby once again appears when she rejects the lightspeed travel research, showing that she is still trapped. But by the very end, Sophon’s comment on her still having a sense of responsibility, what she writes near the conclusion of the book, and her saying she doesn't fit the interstellar life (? (not sure how this part is translated in English)) suggest, to me, that she’s just... Being human. I think she realizes that she would make the same decisions every time not just because she's a woman, but more because she is a human being raised on Earth, reshaped and changed by the love she gives and receives.
Does this mean humans are doomed to lose the space war because of our very existence? I think so, yes.
Speaking of love, idc what everyone says, Cheng Xin and 艾 AA are the true love story in this book! The thought of them not being able to say goodbye to each other before being separated is killing me! My doomed yuri!!! ;_; Cheng Xin says AA doesn't live in the micro-universe because she wouldn't want to see the end of the world, BUT!!! I believe that if they weren't separated, AA would want to join Cheng Xin in it. Why? Because Cheng Xin and Guan Yifan may be together because of circumstances, but over and over again, through centuries and eras, AA always chooses to be with Cheng Xin. Therefore, if Cheng Xin weren't stuck in the black domain, I believe she would live in the micro-universe with AA. I don't think Yun Tuanming wants to. I think the Knight in his fairytale is meant to be AA. Alas!
But my point still stands! "Death's End" is, at its core, a story about humanity, and it's love that shapes humanity. I think AA's surname being 艾, a homonym of 爱 (= love), says a lot. They're true love, guys (gender neutral)! I will die on this hill, lol.