Ready Player One
Ratings2,140
Average rating4
I want to start off by saying that I get why people would love this book, and there were a bunch of moments in it that were fun. I'm in the demographic that's the prime target for the book (“geeky dude that was alive in the 1980s”) and on a surface level it was a fun trip down memory lane.
Under the surface, though, the story becomes a little disappointing. The main character, Wade, seems really underdeveloped and unremarkable, with little personality beyond “good at videogames”. Despite being such a cypher, though, the other characters in the story idealize him. The villains are similarly shallow. The justification for them being villainous is originally “they're a corporation and try to play the game strategically”, but then they're suddenly murdering dozens of innocent people. The story would have been a lot stronger had its characters been more developed and more fully realized.
This continues with the way that Ready Player One relates to its main theme of nostalgia. Nostalgia – specifically early-to-mid-80s nostalgia for mainstream pop music, video games, and movies – permeates every aspect of the story and the characters' lives. On the surface this might seem fun, especially for the target audience of the book. The problem is, however, that it's a story in which nostalgia and culture have become corrupted. The characters aren't nostalgic for the reasons that people in real life become nostalgic for stuff – because they're wishing for a return to a more carefree time, or because of personal, emotional links to the material. Instead, they're nostalgic for the 80s, a culture that they never experienced or encountered, because Halliday was nostalgic for the 80s. The rich old man has warped society into this cargo cult that worships the trinkets of his youth to the disservice of all else. There's no evidence of any culture existing in the world of Ready Player One beyond 2002 – just slavish observance to the things that Halliday loved. Halliday has an absolutely abusive relationship to the culture of the OASIS, and it's unfortunate that the book doesn't make any attempt to critique or analyze that relationship.
The story is good. It's compelling and suspenseful and fun. Sure it may have some small holes, but nothing you'll fall through and hurt yourself. But the world is magnificent. Especially to anyone who ever played video games, watched TV and movies or listened to music in and around the 1980s. This book is glorious.
not a good book, most of my enjoyment out of this, came out of me making fun of it. Dont recommend, and im not willing to talk more abt it, its not deserving of the attention
Ready Player One is a gratuitous trip through the 80's, complete with tons of video game, movie and pop culture references. While mixing it with a Matrix-like system that keeps the book high-tech, Ready Player One is a welcome trip down memory lane. I didn't think I'd like it as much as I did and I applaud Cline for sending me back to the 80's. Well done!
Are you a child/teenager of the 80s? Were you a geek of any description? If so, this book is a must read. I recommend going with the audio version for the fabulous narration by the rocking Wil Wheaton.
Meh. Finished it because it was fun, but I wish it was more imaginative with historical references.
Absolutely ridiculous and fun with a mysterious edge to keep you reading! I loved reading this book.
De hoge gemiddelde rating komt vast door alle geeks die in de jaren 80 zijn opgegroeid. Prima tijdverdrijf, en er zit vast een indrukwekkende boekverfilming in, maar een goed boek is het niet... Zonder enige kennis of feeling met computer games en boeken/films van de jaren 80 is het waarschijnlijk helemaal niet te pruimen ;-)
This was my second time reading this book and it was even better then the first time. A true peace of art!
Watched the movie then read the book. Then I realized how “yikes” it was. It really did take everything special away from the book.
Low 10/10
It's not that bad but I reckon that I read it when I was still at a young age so by that time this book was magical to me and it was certainly one of the books that kept me reading books, imagine a book where there are a lot of pop culture and videogames and you have this book, it's an enjoyable book and it's not so difficult to read it, so I'd reccomend it even if there are a lot of problems with the characters and story of the book itself.
I think it makes more sense if you are a game player, really. Since I was a backyard, no non sense child with not even an Atari, it failed to impress me. But i gave it to a friend who was into game design and development and she loved every bit. There is a book to everyone...
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book, but I found it very enjoyable. The characters are quirky and likeable, the story is unpredictable and engaging and it harks to a future dystopia that disturbingly, is not beyond the realms of possibility.
My only gripe was that the ending was too predictable. Also, I was a gamer kid in the 80s so I understand nearly all the cultural references, which the book revolves around very strongly, I don't know exactly how this book would fly if you didn't.
A lot of fun played out in an 80s based video game in the style of an 80s Teen film. Just needs a young John Cusack or Matthew broderick to play the lead part. Ending was a bit rushed but overall a nice read.
Found a reading online with sound effects and video clips included for reference. It made all the difference, seeing that I'm not old enough to get half of the references. I was still doing a lot of research in between chapters to make sure I could picture all the events correctly, but it was worth it and I could have gone without if it was a bother.
Read the second one too though. The end isn't as satisfying without the second book.
I'm still on a quest for new authors and seem to be in a sci-fi rut for the last couple of weeks. I'm not sure where I found Ready Player One, but it looked interesting and had received decent reviews.
Overall it had a decent storyline, albeit predictable. There was never any doubt as to whether the hero would win in the end, basically your typical “group of like minded people surmount great odds” type of book. The most unique aspect of the book, and why I think it has received good reviews was the nearly unbearable torrent of 80's trivia. I understand that this was central to the story, but many times throughout I went into scanning mode just go get past the useless facts and parse out the relevant bits of story.
I'm also not a fan of the overly descriptive sci-fi writer.
Full review posted at:
http://www.mattsrespite.com/2012/01/dont-waste-your-time-with-ready-player.html
Just wasn't appealing to me. Perhaps it was the hype that had set my expectations, but I felt myself cringing throughout much of the book. Primarily from the protagonists actions, dialogue and his I-have-the-solution-to-every-obstacle attitude. I am aware that this is very likely the authors intention.
I was a video game kid and young adult, born in the 80's. So those elements held me in, but couldn't solely carry the book for me.
This is just my personal review. So read it if you like, many have.
Famous for a reason! Def want to reread at some point. Super interesting and so many layers, rlly good story
A little too references-made-into-a-narrative for my taste. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.