Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read
The worldwide bestseller--now a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.
In the year 2045, 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.
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"I really loved this book. The story is a classic. Set in a few decades in the future after the economical collapse of the world. A boy, Parzival, comes from nothing. His parents are dead, he lives in the slums with his aunt who only lets him live there so she can take his food vouchers. He lives most of his life inside Oasis, inside a digital world. It is the story of rising up, finding and fighting for something greater than oneself, and really finding oneself. At least that is what I took from this story. I could go into more details, but I'd rather let people discover the story for themselves. The book is full of 80s pop culture and the vastness that is geekdom. Which I think makes it fantastic. The future has become obsessed with the subculture of today's fandom because the richest man in the world left his fortune to who ever can find his Easter egg. And to find it, you must like what he liked, obsess over what he obsessed over, walk in his shoes. As a gamer, as a music lover, as a geek I loved it. It felt like coming home, same way conventions make me feel. But with better hygiene and less crowds."
— Hobbes (5 out of 5 stars)
“This non-gamer loved every page of Ready Player One.”
— Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author“Enchanting…Willy Wonka meets The Matrix.”
— USA Today“As narrator of this offbeat, futuristic adventure, Wil Wheaton must evoke a teen’s naïveté and cynicism about real life and incorporate this veteran gaming geek’s expertise of ’80s culture…Wheaton is up to the task, presenting an engaging treasure hunt while also dramatizing the hero’s enthusiasm at playing classic games like Pac-Man. Also a twist on The Pilgrim’s Progress, this novel has something for everyone.”
— AudioFile“The grown-up’s Harry Potter…The mystery and fantasy in this novel weaves itself in the most delightful way, and the details that make up Mr. Cline’s world are simply astounding. Ready Player One has it all.”
— Huffington Post“An exuberantly realized, exciting, and sweet-natured cyber-quest. Cline’s imaginative and rollicking coming-of-age geek saga has a smash-hit vibe.”
— Booklist (starred review)" just endless references to stuff you might have liked "
— aladar, 5/8/2021" I really enjoyed this book! I plowed through it in a day and a half! "
— Kathleen, 1/25/2014" fascinating setting and lots of cool nerd trivia "
— Maya, 1/23/2014" Being a child of the 80s this book took me back to a point in my childhood in a completely different way. I couldn't believe the amount of 80s references and the accuracy of them. Then you introduce the Oasis... a virtual MMORPG that we can only love and fear at the same time. I've now listened to the book 3 times on my way to and from work as well as read the book once. If you are a child of the 80s and remember when cartoons, TV shows and toys were real and actually fun, you need to read this book... I can't even begin to explain how the enjoyment of this book. It has a permanent spot, on my iPhone, iPad, and bookshelf... Yep, bought all 3. Hehe. "
— Erik, 1/22/2014" There is a strong feeling of a target audience here, and I matched spot-on. The numerous references to 80s pop culture integrated well with the story of a greater struggle. It's an appropriate tribute to the birth years of gaming, and the numerous experiments by small development teams which have since grown into more industrialised proportions. The futuristic twist of the era in the book gives some mindcandy to dwell on, so the experience isn't a boring history lesson. "
— Joni, 1/21/2014" A funny book with an amazing amount of 80's trivia. "
— Ndhrdt, 1/13/2014" Such a great book, set in the not so distant future. Loaded with tons of nostalgia and a riveting fast paced action sci-fi adventure that kept me glued to it, until it was over. "
— Corey, 1/9/2014" I enjoy the blasts from the past of this one! Especially since it is from my past, it seems...the writing is okay, the plot is good enough to keep me reading. It really is like a seek n find of 80s nostalgia, which is quite enjoyable and a good escape. "
— Chuck, 12/27/2013" My 13 year old son and i both enjoyed this book. Very mild and accessible fantasy gamer adventure. "
— Liseprown, 12/27/2013" I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it highly. "
— Graeme, 12/10/2013Ernest Cline is a novelist, screenwriter, father, and full-time geek. His first novel, Ready Player One, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, was named to many “best of the year” lists, and was made into a major motion picture.
Wil Wheaton is an award–winning actor, voice artist, author, and audiobook narrator. Among his movie credits are Stand by Me and Toy Soldiers. His many television credits include Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Big Bang Theory, and Generator Rex. As a narrator of more than a dozen audiobooks, he has twice won the prestigious Audie Award, twice been a finalist for the Audie, and earned an Earphones Award from AudioFile magazine.