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)

Superb

This is a fantastic book with a great storyline. The flawed protagonist obsessed with escaping from reality mixed with the 80's pop culture makes a hard to put down read. While I wish the main antagonist was developed past his overlying corporate greed, the story still worked as there were multiple foils to give a rich main character.
The reading by Will Wheaton was flawless and engaging. It is easy to sink into the story due to his abilities with inflection and pacing. Overall expertly done.
I have recommended this book and audiobook to my friends.

This is one of the best books I have read...

I have listened to it twice now because it is just that good. It keeps you hooked and makes it hard to stop when you have to leave it's oasis and return to the real world.

I couldn't stop listening!

What made the experience of listening to Ready Player One the most enjoyable?

After listening to Enders Game series i needed something fun and interesting. This book was the perfect transition for me. I loved the virtual universe where you created your own avatar that allowed you access to virtual schools was genius. The virtual adventure was awesome Cline's reference to all the early 80's video games, music and TV shows was too cool for school. If you were a child of the 80's you need to read this book. Even if you were born after the 80's its still worth reading. Download this book pronto it's worth it!!!!

A ton of fun and very creative

If you love geeky 80s references you will love this!. Very satisfying story. Will Wheaton was an excellent narrates tot as well. I kept picturing him as the main character.

great book

I wasn't sure I would like a book like this, but it was great. unfortunately will's voice is always annoying as anything.

I am NOT a Sci-Fi fan, but LOVED this book!!

Wil Wheaton did a fantastic job reading this book for us! The story is great-stays interesting, and it is performed very, very well. BELIEVE THE HYPE!

80s Childhood reborn!

Wil Wheaton just narrated my childhood dream story! Thanks Wil and Ernest for making my last two weeks so much more amazing!

Completely loved it ...

Could not step away it pulls you in absolutely one of the best. It takes you back through all of the 80's pop culture in a whirlwind adventure.

good read

engaging. plug in for a good ride. at least fifteen words to make this review possible.

Holy frackin crap

This book is amazing. A must read for any geek, gamer, nerd or videogame player.