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)

Great listen, but not for kids.

Overall a great listen! However there were 3 parts I rolled my eyes at, which really didn't have to be included.

totally fun fun fun

the story was awesome. there were so many references from the 1980s that I actually got. Can't wait for it to be a movie TV series or whatever everything in the story seems like it could possibly happen

One of the best books I've experienced

This is one of the best books I have ever experienced. The blend of pop culture, drama and hilarious comedy blend together to make this book a delight to go through. This book is beautifully written and descriptive to the point that I could see in my minds eye what the oasis was like and what a future in the US without fossil fuels and widespread famine and poverty would be like. Loved it.

Exceptional

Great story! I was on end through out and memorized by the clash of 80's culture. In fact I think I will start it a second time from the top.

Incredibly good, a must-read for 1980's kids!

From Commodore PETS through Commodore 64's, and including Asteroids to Zork, this story let me relive almost ALL of my childhood in a way only someone who had REALLY been there and experienced the same highs and lows I did could.
wonderful story arc, detailed interesting characters, and descriptions and references both incredibly vivid and painstakingly accurate, this STAYS on my device for repeated listening!
Will Wheaton does a fantastic job, making this story very easy on the ears.
Simply A++++ for both story and voice actor.

Excellent story narrated by Will Wheaton

With this being made into a movie by Steven Spielberg I wanted to read the book first, and having this narrated by Will Wheaton made it the perfect way to experience this epic saga.

Surprising

Addictive and enjoyable. Fun listening to the 80's references and video game history.

Recommended

Ready player one

The best book ever!!!!!!!!!!

Better book ever than anything on Bob voter cuff effect sesshomaru unhappy friends Yokohama the r

A Book for the Generations

by far my favorite audiobook in the collection of this application. Effectively, a time capsule encompassing all the artistic and cultural significance of the eighties generation. After 3 listening I still find myself coming back and enjoying this work, even if only for favorite excerpts. Highly recommend to anyone with Nostalgia for the dawn of the digital age.

I miss it already

Any additional comments?

I only listen to audio books while working out or when I'm in my car heading to work. Lets just say, I looked forward to going to work and I am now in MUCH better shape. What can do that?? THIS book can!! As soon as I finished this book, I already missed it. This genuinely has been the best story I have read in a while.