Paperback, 374 pages
English language
Published June 4, 2012
In the year 2044. reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines--puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.
But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win--and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape. (Provided by publisher).
In the year 2044. reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines--puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.
But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win--and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape. (Provided by publisher).
This book was a ton of fun and took me back to my early days of computing; late 70s, early 80s, as well as the Atari 2600 days. No spoiler about the plot but note that the movie glossed over the relationship of the main characters, it was really a let down, but the book? One of my favorites, so fun.
I wasn't too sure how this one was going to go because I normally REALLY don't care for pop culture references in books because it dates them like crazy. I'm not sure how well this will hold up in the future since a lot of these references are already lost to the past and that will get worse as time goes on.
But I found this to be a fun ride! I felt like it had a good blend of tension and adventure and emotional connections. It kept my attention through the whole story and didn't lose me along the way. I felt like the characters were written well and had their flaws and issues, but it didn't completely tank the story.
I already have a physical copy of the book and this is one that I'll be holding onto.
I wasn't too sure how this one was going to go because I normally REALLY don't care for pop culture references in books because it dates them like crazy. I'm not sure how well this will hold up in the future since a lot of these references are already lost to the past and that will get worse as time goes on.
But I found this to be a fun ride! I felt like it had a good blend of tension and adventure and emotional connections. It kept my attention through the whole story and didn't lose me along the way. I felt like the characters were written well and had their flaws and issues, but it didn't completely tank the story.
I already have a physical copy of the book and this is one that I'll be holding onto.
A sexist bunch of pop culture references masquerading as a novel.
Overall this was a fun read. The world itself is quite dystopian, but the OASIS is incredible. It feels like a very natural evolution of today's online society, for better or worse. Some of the plot can feel a little sluggish with the exposition and the slowdown in the second arc of the book, but it has a good payoff at the end. The characters are OK, but not developed as well as the focus is almost solely on the main character Parzival and his obsession with the 80s, the hunt, and Art3mis. I think the concept behind this (and the nostalgia) was pretty good, though the narrative could have been better, both in terms of characters and plot.
For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2024/05/book-review-ready-player-one-by-ernest.html
Overall this was a fun read. The world itself is quite dystopian, but the OASIS is incredible. It feels like a very natural evolution of today's online society, for better or worse. Some of the plot can feel a little sluggish with the exposition and the slowdown in the second arc of the book, but it has a good payoff at the end. The characters are OK, but not developed as well as the focus is almost solely on the main character Parzival and his obsession with the 80s, the hunt, and Art3mis. I think the concept behind this (and the nostalgia) was pretty good, though the narrative could have been better, both in terms of characters and plot.
For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2024/05/book-review-ready-player-one-by-ernest.html
On rereading this I found a lot less satisfaction. Its a cute adventure.
A great story regarding a late teen engaging in a video game quest with real-world impact. Set in a dystopian future, the tale gives you a blend of a virtual world learing to positive and meaningful real-life changes.
The story is told with enthusiasm and gives you a great insight into a late teen learning there is more to life than a virtual world. It also teaches you persistance, may lead to mindblowing results.
A great story regarding a late teen engaging in a video game quest with real-world impact. Set in a dystopian future, the tale gives you a blend of a virtual world learing to positive and meaningful real-life changes.
The story is told with enthusiasm and gives you a great insight into a late teen learning there is more to life than a virtual world. It also teaches you persistance, may lead to mindblowing results.
Even though I didn't much like it, I did actually finish it, which is worth an extra star.
//read in 2012
Even though I didn't much like it, I did actually finish it, which is worth an extra star.
//read in 2012
An enjoyable and quick read. Nostalgia is bound together by a fairly predictable plot line. I wanted to go back and create a playlist of all the music mentioned, but I borrowed the book from a co-worker and needed to return it.
I'm unenthusiastic. You can read it, but you don't have to.
I'm unenthusiastic. You can read it, but you don't have to.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one, realistic universe and likeable characters. Hated the movie.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one, realistic universe and likeable characters. Hated the movie.
To be honest it's been a while since I read the book so don't expect a full in depht review. Sorry.
I liked it, quite a lot indeed. I also enjoy playing video games and 90% of the action occours on a video game. I think that, as always, the book is quite superior compared to the movie.
In conclussion: I recomend it if you like cifi stuff.
To be honest it's been a while since I read the book so don't expect a full in depht review. Sorry.
I liked it, quite a lot indeed. I also enjoy playing video games and 90% of the action occours on a video game. I think that, as always, the book is quite superior compared to the movie.
In conclussion: I recomend it if you like cifi stuff.
despite being so naïve, it's still a fun read.
despite being so naïve, it's still a fun read.
Absolutely great book about the 80s, video games, movies, music and more. You will love it, even if you weren't part of that time.
Absolutely great book about the 80s, video games, movies, music and more. You will love it, even if you weren't part of that time.
What a ride! But oh my, I really want to read more about Art3mis and Parzival. I don't want their story to end!
What a ride! But oh my, I really want to read more about Art3mis and Parzival. I don't want their story to end!
I had a difficult time picturing much of the book, since it is based on references to other media and not described directly to the reader.
That's a feature, not a bug, but I would recommend reading this one near a computer so that you can look up scenes. At a certain point, Eldon Tyrell's office from Blade Runner is mentioned--this image is impossible to understand unless you have seen it in the film or at least in a clip on YouTube.
Apart from that, it was a great little book. Digestible, too. I already read so much for school that I have a hard time picking up a huge book and slogging through it. This was a much better bite-size for me.
I had a difficult time picturing much of the book, since it is based on references to other media and not described directly to the reader.
That's a feature, not a bug, but I would recommend reading this one near a computer so that you can look up scenes. At a certain point, Eldon Tyrell's office from Blade Runner is mentioned--this image is impossible to understand unless you have seen it in the film or at least in a clip on YouTube.
Apart from that, it was a great little book. Digestible, too. I already read so much for school that I have a hard time picking up a huge book and slogging through it. This was a much better bite-size for me.
