Scan barcode
A review by librarybonanza
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
5.0
What a fantastic book. To escape his grim surroundings, Wade immerses himself in the OASIS, a virtual reality utopia where you can learn, socialize, strategize, fight, and fall in love while keeping your bum firmly planted in a chair. A World of Warcraft paradise. Before the creator of the OASIS dies with no heir to his multi-million fortune, he sets up an elaborate hunt for a hidden easter egg. For years after his death, the world has been searching rather fruitlessly for the grand prize knowing only that his riddles are based off of the 80s pop culture he loved. Disheartened and thinking it a ruse, most people give up on the hunt. But some people, like Wade, become as obsessed with 80s culture as the OASIS creator, becoming proficient in Spacewar and other early arcade games, reciting Revenge of the Nerds, Schoolhouse Rock!, and other classic 80s movies and TV shows, and memorizing liner notes to Devo, Pink Floyd, and any other 80s music they could get their hands on. Which was a lot. So when Wade, 5 years after the start, solves the first clue he becomes embroiled in a race to the finish with friends--and deadly enemies.
Although I didn't get probably 70% of the culture references, I did enjoy the pace, and the slight humor, and the OVERWHELMING NERDOM. The atmosphere of the OASIS was engaging and delightfully described from hooking in to the various planets. I appreciated the questions brought forth about reality and virtual reality. Is a virtual school better than the real deal? It prevents bullying and classroom interruptions but it also causes a disconnection in socialization. Wade was a likeable character that becomes more and more tenacious as he uses his brains, wit, and courage to solve the puzzle and outsmart his adversaries. I was also really intrigued by Halliday's reclusion and back story. One of the best books I've read in awhile.
Although I didn't get probably 70% of the culture references, I did enjoy the pace, and the slight humor, and the OVERWHELMING NERDOM. The atmosphere of the OASIS was engaging and delightfully described from hooking in to the various planets. I appreciated the questions brought forth about reality and virtual reality. Is a virtual school better than the real deal? It prevents bullying and classroom interruptions but it also causes a disconnection in socialization. Wade was a likeable character that becomes more and more tenacious as he uses his brains, wit, and courage to solve the puzzle and outsmart his adversaries. I was also really intrigued by Halliday's reclusion and back story. One of the best books I've read in awhile.