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nathancunn's review against another edition
1.0
This book was a challenge to read. Not because of the content, but because my eyes were constantly rolling to the back of my head making it impossible to focus on the text.
I don't think I've ever been so confused as to how a book managed to get published, never mind become successful. Ready Player One is completely devoid of creativity and this manifested itself in the company names used throughout the book. Here's some of them:
1. A company who makes social virtual reality games: Gregarious simulation systems
2. Their virtual reality software: Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensosry Immersive Simulation (or OASIS, the most forced backronym every contrived)
3. A company who offers online service: Innovative Online Industries
4. A helpdesk company: Helpful Helpdesk
5. A virtual shop where you can buy clothes: Thr3ads
6. A character named Artemis' TV station: Artemivision
7. A vehicle for escorting prisoners: Indentured servant retrieval transport
8. A nostalgic pizza place: Happytime Pizza
9. An archaic arcade: Archaide
10. Software for system agents: System Agent Software
There was also the 'L33t Hax0rs' and their 'Warezhaus', not to mention the fact that the entire book is just Ernest Cline talking about stuff from the 80's around a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plot.
The main character, Wade, is essentially every bad stereotype of desperate males on the internet yet I really believe Cline wants us to root for him. He immediately falls in love with girls he meets on the internet, proclaims to be a nice guy, uses creepy asterisks in conversation (stuff like *hopes you like me too*, *sweats profusely*, etc), and there's even a section where he talks about masturbation being humankind's greatest development as it allows the smart (who obviously could never have sex) to get release so they can focus on grander pursuits. It's incredibly cringeworthy.
This is easily the worst book I've read in a long time.
I don't think I've ever been so confused as to how a book managed to get published, never mind become successful. Ready Player One is completely devoid of creativity and this manifested itself in the company names used throughout the book. Here's some of them:
1. A company who makes social virtual reality games: Gregarious simulation systems
2. Their virtual reality software: Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensosry Immersive Simulation (or OASIS, the most forced backronym every contrived)
3. A company who offers online service: Innovative Online Industries
4. A helpdesk company: Helpful Helpdesk
5. A virtual shop where you can buy clothes: Thr3ads
6. A character named Artemis' TV station: Artemivision
7. A vehicle for escorting prisoners: Indentured servant retrieval transport
8. A nostalgic pizza place: Happytime Pizza
9. An archaic arcade: Archaide
10. Software for system agents: System Agent Software
There was also the 'L33t Hax0rs' and their 'Warezhaus', not to mention the fact that the entire book is just Ernest Cline talking about stuff from the 80's around a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory plot.
The main character, Wade, is essentially every bad stereotype of desperate males on the internet yet I really believe Cline wants us to root for him. He immediately falls in love with girls he meets on the internet, proclaims to be a nice guy, uses creepy asterisks in conversation (stuff like *hopes you like me too*, *sweats profusely*, etc), and there's even a section where he talks about masturbation being humankind's greatest development as it allows the smart (who obviously could never have sex) to get release so they can focus on grander pursuits. It's incredibly cringeworthy.
This is easily the worst book I've read in a long time.
meganreads20's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexism
eva_lynne_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hlflosser's review against another edition
2.0
I did like this book in some parts. I felt there were too many 80's puns fit into it and I'm from the 80's. The language although not terrible but to much for me to recommend to my reading buddy ( nephew 11 yr) which is a gamer and would love the story. Not one I would reread
aadams92's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
megprescott's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jll14448's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
buttons_buttons's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the book, eventhough I think it has got some flaws.
First of all I loved the whole story idea, the setting and most of the characters and all the references were amazing. If you enjoy pop culture this is the book for you!
I did have some problems with the 'bad guys' though. I thought they were all, including the main antagonist, pretty flat and I didn't understand their motivations at all. The ending also wasn't that great as I thought it was very predictable and hurried.
But other than that I really had a fun time reading it.
First of all I loved the whole story idea, the setting and most of the characters and all the references were amazing. If you enjoy pop culture this is the book for you!
I did have some problems with the 'bad guys' though. I thought they were all, including the main antagonist, pretty flat and I didn't understand their motivations at all. The ending also wasn't that great as I thought it was very predictable and hurried.
But other than that I really had a fun time reading it.
karrama's review against another edition
4.0
At first this book was cool for referencing the geek in me. It was a little teen-ager-ish and I was hoping that it could grow into a "Snowcrash" or "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep." The world is post-apocalyptic, oil depleated, VR currency is worth more than the USD$. The plot referenced Blade Runner and Nuero Mancer, MUDDS, Black Dragon and PacMan as well as all the old tymee anime that I love, and eventually, I got bored. "You're preaching to the choir, man. On with the plot," was all I could think. And why didn't it reference NetHack or the mid-range quest games with 32bit graphics but did go with vector graphic games and modern stuff that's come out in the 21st century? You see? I'm the demographic Ernest Cline was writing to, all right. It doesn't become Snowcrash, but it does finally stop lecturing me on the meaning of _War Games_ and the like to let the protagonist start making progress in his quest and love life. The end was predictable, the casualties and fall out as well, but it was a fast, fun read. I'm being generous with the rating 'cuz the lingo and environments spoke to me. I'm so blinded by the L337 Geekery that I didn't notice. I enjoyed this book.
lydialesnevich's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
you can so 100% tell that this was written by a middle aged white guy? The storyline was great but the racial stereotypes and womanizing that are sprinkled in are decidedly not.