Ready Player One
by
Ernest Cline
Ready Player One was a book recommended to me by my brother Tom. Whilst he was reading this he kept talking about it and how great it was. He said "You will love this, its all about 1980's video gaming and pop culture". Well, that is all I needed to know to put this at the top of my reading list.
"If you grew up in the 70's & 80's and love video gaming and pop culture, stop what you are doing and read this"
Précis (taken from the cover):
It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune — and remarkable power — to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved — that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.
And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.
Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt — among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life — and love — in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune — and remarkable power — to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved — that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.
And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.
Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt — among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life — and love — in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?
Review:
Where do I start to talk about this book? Well..... It was amazing, I loved this book from start to finish. I don't think I have ever read a book where I have had as many flash backs to childhood as this one. "Oh My God, I remember that" "Oh Yes, that used to be amazing" "I forgot about that one" where some of the things I said out loud with a smile on my face whilst reading this. I was unable to control my geekiness as the main character had to play and complete the great Pacman. Wade, also owning a Delorean from Back to The Future & an X-Wing from Star Wars practically sent me over the top.
The story is really original and nothing like anything I have read or even heard of before. It is so clever how the book has been put together as well. Whilst this is a futuristic Science Fiction book you are taken on a journey that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat like a good Thriller would. You are left wanting the good guys to win.... that is if you can trust any of the good guys.
The characters are well written and really believable. You could walk into any gaming convention around the world and find these guys within five minutes. You feel for the main Character Wade as his life is miserable and his only life is in the VR world. Art3mis, Aech, Daito & Shoto complete the supporting cast as they each battle to win the prize and to make sure the evil Sixers do not get there first. I am sure you will find a little bit of you in one of these characters.
This is a book I believe will be read again & again and automatically wants me to buy Ernest Cline's next book
Was there anything that I did not like about the book? Well... I always like to have some fault or things that I did not like with books, even if I really like them, but I am sat here racking my brain and struggling to find something.
I scored this book a 5 out of 5. Full marks for me. A great read and very, very enjoyable. Big thanks to my brother Tom.
Ready Player One is to become a film in 2017 with Spielberg directing. Whilst I am pleased for the author, I don't know if I will be able to bring myself to watch this, as I am worried it will ruin the book.
Has anyone else read this book? what do you guys think? Do you agree with me or not? Let me know.
Speak Soon,
CBailey31
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