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 story

wasn't sure going into this if it was my cup of tea but fantastic. the history I got to relive listening to this was good. I have listened to this book a number of times.

Fun and Engaging

A super fun book that has tons of nostalgic references. I listened to it back to back once I got the book because it was that good. Wil Wheaton does a fantastic job as a narrator and keeps the listener engaged at all times.

Really Great Story!

This really was one of my favorite books. I loved all of the 80s references. It was super great that it was Wil Wheaton narrated. The only trouble as that Wil said some of his words a little oddly and it was a bit distracting.

This is an amazing book to listen to.

I saw the movie first and was impressed with the graphics and the story and plot line. so I decided to get the audiobook and listen to it. as with most cases the book is always better than the movie and there is no disappointment here. I will definitely be relisting to this several times to catch all the little details that I missed the first time around. can't recommend listening to this book just wish was already a second that I could go listen to.

Excellent Book the whole family is enjoying

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - I am older and remember the history and tell my 15 year old son. My son understands the gaming concepts and teaches me

Very enjoyable listen

I thought that the juxtaposition between future events and 60 to 70 prior was very well carried out. Both author and reader deserve credit for a job well done. Very often one hears: The book is better than the movie, and I think that "Ready Player One" is a great example... This book is head and shoulders above the film.

Way Better than the Movie

If you grew up in the 80's and loved Wargames, Pacman and Dungeons and Dragons this is a must listen. About the only 80's icon missing is The Princess Bride. I love the movie and have watched it twice, but the book is so much better I've listened to it 4 times.

Loved this book!

I loved this book! Wil Wheaton is great and makes the story that much better! I was hooked the entire time

Most importantly it was FUN to read.

Loved this book, couldn't put it down. The vr world seems like a blast, and the danger in this books finds a way to still seem dangerous to the characters. The hunt was a rollercoaster that I enjoyed all the way through.

Very good

This book is very good I'm still not finished but this book is still good unfinished