Ready Player One
Ernest Cline
August 2011
383 pages
Published by Crown
Purchased by Pearl (she’s my iPad)
********************
Like Reamde, which I’m currently (still (maybe forever)) reading, this isn’t a book I’d normally choose. But Jenners said it was a fun read, and since I trust Jenners on matters of fun and I was looking for something fun for vacation, I bought it. I would say it didn’t disappoint, but have I ever mentioned how much I loathe that phrase? It’s true, I do. I really, really do.
For those of us who grew up in the 80s (the decade of big hair, pegged jeans, and blue eyeshadow (and yes, I was guilty of all three…maybe even at the same time), this book can be a kick in the pants. Seriously. It’s like walking down memory lane, only without the big hair, pegged jeans and blue eyeshadow. Thank god.
This book is filled with cultural references from the 80s. Only Cline stuck more to the geekish (games, movies, music) than to fashion (and again, I say thank god).
However, the book isn’t set in the 80s. Oh no. It’s set in the future. A future dominated by the online game OASIS. To which everyone in the future is saying thank god, because the future is a mighty depressing place (although the visual image of the stacks (vertical trailer parks) was fairly entertaining).
Basically, the story is a quest, just like the video games that it pays homage to. The creator of OASIS dies and leaves his fortune to the first person who can find the easter egg he hid within OASIS. Cue mad dash to find easter egg. (And once again, the comparison to Reamde comes up…online games, adventure. Although the stories are totally different.)
And that’s pretty much the story. Add in the all the 80s references (the OASIS dude was obsessed with all things 80s (except, you know, the eyeshadow and hair and pegged jeans)), some bad guys and some good kids, and you’ve got a pretty entertaining read.
I was married and having a baby in the 80′s and I really liked this book too! Can you post a picture of you with big hair, pegged jeans and blue eye shadow, pretty please?
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review: Shockaholic
Huh. Interesting. I’ve seen this book on a bunch of blogs, but I admit I skipped the reviews because I didn’t think it would be my thing, though I now realize I had no idea what the premise was at all. I may have to actually look into this one!
Steph´s last [type] ..Oops, we did it again…
I’ve seen this one around, and I’ve been considering it. I think you sold me. I’m an 80s gal, so why the hell not.
Andi´s last [type] ..Post-Birthday Wrap-Up and Bookish Miscellany
I loved this book, as I am a girl of the 80′s. I had the mall hair and the Jordache jeans, but I also was into the games and the movies and the music. When he has that portion of the quest with the Rush references, I almost peed myself. Even better, the audio was narrated by Wil Wheaton, and was incredible. It will be at the top of my lists for the year.
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I am listening to this one right now with my husband, but it’s slow going because there isn’t much time for joint listening in our schedule right now. I do love the choice of Wheaton for the narrator though, and am finding myself grinning along at all the 80′s references. I am pretty sure that I am going to end up loving this one, if I can ever get the time to listen!
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Great review! It would have been absolutely perfect had you included a picture of you in said pegged jeans with blue eyeshadow and big hair!
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review: Election
I didn’t care for this one and I LOVED the 80′s. If you take away the 80′s references there wouldn’t be anything left. It was like, bogus.
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Yes, I want a picture too!!!
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I just downloaded this a few days ago to Milton Podricker (my IPOD). I have heard the audio is totally AWESOME.
I think I now have an idea to go along with my review…. hmmm…. get that picture ready Jill….
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I cringe every time I see an example of ’80s style, whether it’s fashion, interior decorating, or product design. I was born in ’85 and tend to identify with the ’90s.
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Im a 70′s girl and have been avoiding this one … but, like Kathy and Jill, I want to see the picture, too!!
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I enjoyed this one, especially all the ’80s references. Sometimes the video game stuff was a bit much for me, but all in all a great read!
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This is sitting here staring at me — must read soon. I was working on my doctorate in the 80s and spent some of that decade living in faraway places. But I’m really looking forward to reading the book.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday 156
So, which phrase do you loath? “it didn’t disappoint” ? I got confused and only more so after re-reading this.
The Wil Wheaton reading of this intrigues me.
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I quadruple the picture request!! Glad you had fun with it … it was a kicky little fun thrill ride, wasn’t it?
I liked this one a lot! I thought it was quite fun and the pop culture references were spot on!
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I’m about 2/3 of the way through the audio of this one. It’s definitely not my normal reading fare but I’m enjoying it. I listen while driving so it’s a lot of 10-15 minute commute and errand long chunks of time. It’s a really fun audiobook for that style of listening and I’m enjoying it quite a bit.
I was in my 20′s in the 80′s so some of the references aen’t as applicable to me but most of them are at least familiar.
I’m really enjoying Wil Wheaton’s reading of the audio version.
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I’m pretty excited to read this one. It sounds really fun and I love random 80s references, so I’m pretty sure I’ll like it.
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Love all things 80′s and I am so looking forward to reading this one.
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