Ready Player One

By: Ernest Cline

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Now a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.

“Enchanting . . . Willy Wonka meets The Matrix.”—USA Today • “As one adventure leads expertly to the next, time simply evaporates.”—Entertainment Weekly

A world at stake. A quest for the ultimate prize. Are you ready?

In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the OASIS, a vast virtual world where most of humanity spends their days.

When the eccentric creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves behind a series of fiendish puzzles, based on his obsession with the pop culture of decades past. Whoever is first to solve them will inherit his vast fortune—and control of the OASIS itself.

Then Wade cracks the first clue. Suddenly he’s beset by rivals who’ll kill to take this prize. The race is on—and the only way to survive is to win.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Entertainment Weekly • San Francisco Chronicle • Village Voice • Chicago Sun-Times • iO9 • The AV Club

“Delightful . . . the grown-up’s Harry Potter.”—HuffPost

“An addictive read . . . part intergalactic scavenger hunt, part romance, and all heart.”—CNN

“A most excellent ride . . . Cline stuffs his novel with a cornucopia of pop culture, as if to wink to the reader.”—Boston Globe

“Ridiculously fun and large-hearted . . . Cline is that rare writer who can translate his own dorky enthusiasms into prose that’s both hilarious and compassionate.”—NPR

“[A] fantastic page-turner . . . starts out like a simple bit of fun and winds up feeling like a rich and plausible picture of future friendships in a world not too distant from our own.”—iO9

©2011 Ernest Cline (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

2017, Laura Hillenbrand Outstanding Literary Award, Winner

“The science-fiction writer John Scalzi has aptly referred to Ready Player One as a ‘nerdgasm’ [and] there can be no better one-word description of this ardent fantasy artifact about fantasy culture. . . . But Mr. Cline is able to incorporate his favorite toys and games into a perfectly accessible narrative.” (Janet Maslin, The New York Times)

“This non-gamer loved every page of Ready Player One.” (Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series)

AWESOME!

I was totally immersed in this book for not only the storyline, but the use of video gaming history as a foundation...well done!!!

Phenomenal!!!

A drop to the past and a look to the future! Voiced by Mr. Wheaton, the story flowed so well!

Second time through and still loved it!

There was never a time in this book that I struggled to keep listening. The fact that most of this book takes place in a computer generated world makes nearly anything possible!

It's fun and has a great story.

Will Wheaton did a very nice job narrating, however he does not have a wide range of voices to bring to the table. It was never dull or monotone just not as dramatic as it could have been. But then again this is not a dramatic story.

This is every 80's kid's book. It will talk about 80's memories like TV shows, Movies, video games, music, books, and comics.

A flashback to the 80's

Would you listen to Ready Player One again? Why?

No. I only ready a book once. If they make a movie, I would watch it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ready Player One?

When they all die.

Which scene was your favorite?

Multiple scenes. Any reference to PCs and video games from the past.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

For not being a modern gamer, I still found this book exciting. I burned myself out playing video games in the 80's so much that I don't care for today's virtual reality. This book isn't for anyone that doesn't like gaming in the past or today. Wil Wheaton did a good job with the narration. There sure is a lost of the 80's in this book, even though it is set in the near future.

Was skeptical but WOW! One of a kind!

What did you love best about Ready Player One?

You go in knowing it's a pop culture pile of a book along with a basic understanding of the world it is set in, if you watched the trailer for the movie. But the world and characters blend well with the 80's reference laden setting. It's pure fun right up until the end.

What other book might you compare Ready Player One to and why?

That's hard.... Just read it

Which character – as performed by Wil Wheaton – was your favorite?

I really liked the portrayl of Og because with some small changes he could have come across differently and not been a good addition to the story but Wil did a good job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES. Very hard to turn off.

Any additional comments?

Family Guy... Whil Wheeeaton... he did a good job, don't like him as a person but he did a good job reading the story. I'm ok if he get's 5$ to buy a happymeal at McD's.

A pleasant surprise

What did you love best about Ready Player One?

While I expected it to simply be pandering to the nostalgic part of any 40-ish year old, it's use of 80s kitsch never felt gratuitous and was complex enough to feel authentic. It was more than just a "remember when..." trip down memory lane. The retro details were intrinsic to the story, necessary, and never felt out of place.

What other book might you compare Ready Player One to and why?

Douglas Coupland does a good job of integrating popular culture into fiction narratives. He's the first name that comes to mind. Microserfs or The Gum Thief. Both good.

Which character – as performed by Wil Wheaton – was your favorite?

He did a good job of playing all the characters, though none stood out. Competent and never disappointing, but none were super memorable either. It can't be easy to balance the spirit of several main characters but Wil does it well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

****potential spoiler***** It was good. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did but I was thoroughly entertained and while I thought the love story aspect of it could have been really cheesy, when the main characters finally hooked up at the end of the book it felt "right." It was handled well.

Any additional comments?

If you were born after 1980 I don't know how well you'll relate to most of this book but you don't have to be an 80s geek to appreciate it either. Just being born in the 70s will make the book far more relatable. I was pleasantly surprised by how good the story was and the ending was well done. I mean, with this type of story the ending is usually quite predictable, and it was in this book as well (the good guys win, justice is served etc etc) but you're very satisfied by the ending. It's good. It's good in a way that you'd never rave about it to all your friends, and it's not literary genius, but it's still very good and I'm glad I invested the time in it.

Didn't want it to end

Amazing story read in an amazing way by Will Wheaton. Enjoyed every minute of it.

A gamers must read!!!

What can be said about this well written and narrated tale of young man raised by technology!. Much like every coming of age tale it's filled with ups downs and obviously a girl. But what sets it apart from most for me is that it's relatable and genuinely interesting for as technology advances you can see this being a thing that could happen. I've listened to this story multiple times and have yet to find a reason not to. It keeps me entertained, engaged and has my imagination reeling. Overall a must read for all gamers and non gamers alike.

Amazing

Really great book to listen to. Very detailed with 80 themes I missed. Good job.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book. Felt like it was well written. I enjoyed the attention to detail and each of the characters.