Ready Player One by Ernest Cline / perfect for anyone growing up in the 80s

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

This is the perfect case of what happens if you give a book, a second and a third chance – you might end up really enjoying it!!! At least that was the case with me and Ready Player One. I picked up the physical book, I tried the audiobook as well, and DNFed them both. It all changed when I watched the movie last December and instantly wanted to go back to the book, because I knew the book would be better.

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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. 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

MY THOUGHTS

Sometimes reading a book at the right time makes all the difference in the world. And although I ended up DNFing the book twice, when I eventually read it, I really enjoyed it.

If you have’t watched the movie yet, or maybe you have, for me the book was definitely better. Not only was the story much more detailed, it’s also nothing like the movie. The characters and the overall plot line were the same, but the book differs in many aspects and the sheer amount of 80s references was staggering. Since I’m not a gamer therefore I didn’t recognize 90% of the computer games that were mentioned in the book. BUT the movie and music references made me smile – because the 80s shaped my life.

I think what makes this book so stellar is the unique plot line. It’s truly original in every way that counts. Often books feel like shadows and pale copies of tropes and plots that have already been done in numerous ways. Ready Player One is refreshingly distinctive compared to other books, and has an authentic (hello 80s) and entertaining voice.

The novel had the vibe of an old quest movie. A hero on a quest to win the ultimate price. To get there he had to overcome a number of tricky challenges. Ready Player One was a modern version of it.

I really enjoyed this audiobook from beginning to end. The idea. The characters and the plot – it all worked for me.

However, sometimes the detailed descriptions of games clearly went over my non-gamer head. The author went into great details concerning games, their creators and other authentic historical background that wasn’t as interesting to me as it might be for gaming enthusiasts. But all of that paled in comparison to how much fun I had listening to this book.

I can only recommend it to anyone who loves a unique storyline and grew up in the 80s and 90s.

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline