Ready Player One

By: Ernest Cline

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The book behind the major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.

Now a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.

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

It's the year 2044 and the real world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty and disease are widespread.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of 10,000 planets. And like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality: OASIS founder James Halliday, who dies with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS - and his massive fortune - will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout his creation.

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that the riddles are based in the culture of the late 20th century. And then Wade stumbles onto the key to the first puzzle.

Suddenly, he finds himself pitted against thousands of competitors in a desperate race to claim the ultimate prize, a chase that soon takes on terrifying real-world dimensions - and that will leave both Wade and his world profoundly changed.

If you loved Ready Player One and can't wait for more, check out Armada, Ernest Cline's latest geek masterpiece!

©2011 Ernest Cline (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, Ready Player One is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut." (Independent)

"Part intergalactic scavenger hunt, part romance, and all heart." (CNN)

"Ernest Cline’s novel deserves to be a modern classic." (SciFiNow)

riveting, couldn't put it down.

Will Wheaton did an amazing job. maybe being part of the pop culture being described helped him, or maybe he's just that good.
its like this book described my perfect life.

The most amazing book you will ever read!!

You will not be able to stop this book it's amazing from start to finish and all the pop culture it's just an amazing ride you will never want it to end

Damn

This book is phenomenal I loved every bit of it. I recommend it to people who like games or futuristic books

Pure, unadulterated, dream indulgence!

Where does Ready Player One rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Ready Player One is my ALL TIME favourite read. After reading this I ordered 4 copies of the hard cover book to give to my friends and I have NEVER done that before. Each friend in turn sent me txt's "ZOMG This book is amazing!"

What did you like best about this story?

This books takes you to all of those things that were cool when we were growing up and gives you the fantasy you dreamed about as a kid.

I'm just going to park my hover-De Lorean right next to this X-Wing!

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

They were all fantastic, I can't choose one.

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

Definitely to some introspection early in the third act and the finale was fantastic

Any additional comments?

If you read science-fiction, if you watch science fiction, if you grew up in the 80's and played Pacman at the local arcade, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK!

Engaging Sci-Fi Fun

There is not much to be said except that I absolutely loved this audiobook! Even more of an indication of what an engaging book it is - my partner (who has read about 3 fiction books in his whole life and considers fiction to be something of a waste of time) also loved it. It's just great fun, and I was much too young in the 80s to know even half of the gaming references. Couldn't wait to get back in the car each day.

Love it.

I don’t read books. Period. The only reason I listened to this, is because the movie is coming out. I am so glad I did. This book is engaging from start to finish. I love the characters and the story was cohesive and progresses naturally. Highly recommend.

What a bloody great book!

This book had one of the best story lines that I've ever listened too. Makes me want to revisit the old classic again!

Excellent!

Loved it. Now to work through those references properly! Need to get a Kindle copy.

So much fun!!

Performance is great, and the idea that Wheaton was actully president of oasis was a great dig.

I grew up in the 80’s so enjoyed all the references.

It’s not going tk be classic scify but it was certainly fun

page turner...

great, be warned I've got nothing done over the last two days as I couldn't stop listening.