Author Ernest Cline’s debut novel, an homage to video games and 1980’s geek/pop culture, has been burning up the internet since its release in August of 2011. I have the distinct honor of being the very last person in the world to read it.
Yes, I’m being facetious, but that is the way it feels.
We all have those novels we can point to that we finally get around to reading, realizing all the while that it is inexplicable that we didn’t get to it long ago. I came of age in the 1980’s. My nostalgic hold on that time period has only grown stronger with each passing year. I have loved video games since the first time I sat in my uncle’s bedroom and played Pong. So really, any excuse would be a lame one.
I chose to experience Ready Player One via the unabridged audio for one very important reason: Wil Wheaton. I have become such a big fan of his over the last few years, first and foremost because of his autobiographical writing, and secondarily because of his ambassadorship of the geek culture that I love. I had checked this out from the library earlier in the year, had listened to five out of the thirteen CD’s, and had finally returned it unfinished after discovering that Witness Protection was my last option for dodging the tenacious library constabulary. I never got back to it, until this week when blogger Cori mentioned it in her Holiday Book Buying Guide. I did a drive-by on Monday, abducting the audio book from the library once more, and finished it last night after a five-hour listening marathon.
To Cori and to all of my other friends IRL and online: You were right. Ready Player One is a book I couldn’t help but love, debut issues and all. I will try to do a better job of listening to you next time (before making other inexplicable choices and missing out on discussing a book while it is a hot topic). 😉
Had I picked up Ready Player One in its purest form, words on the printed page, it is likely I would have not gotten past the opening pages. Ernest Cline begins his novel by painting a picture of the bleak near future in the year 2044. In doing so I felt that he took an unnecessarily long time driving home the message that we are screwing up our world and, oh yeah, believing in God is for idiots. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about current social and political issues. I get that and I do not have a problem with people expressing their opinions, even in their fiction. My issue with Ready Player One was that I felt that the message dragged on and on, looping around on itself and repeating itself. I got it the first time, you don’t have to tell me more than once. And that was my experience listening to Wil Wheaton doing a rather excellent job reading it to me. I don’t know that I would have made it out of the other end of the stage-setting had I been reading it on my own. So my one criticism: the opening could have used some serious editorial work. That is really it. A minor quibble. The rest of the book: Totally Awesome! Others would say that a stronger editorial hand could have been exercised throughout the book. The passionate gaming/80’s minutiae worked for me.
For the few of you who haven’t read it, Ready Player One follows the exploits of one Wade Watts, a young man growing up in a desolate, poverty-stricken future where the populace spends a great deal of their waking hours living in a fully functional virtual world, the OASIS. OASIS founder James Halliday has died, and with his death comes the announcement that he has left his fortune and control of the OASIS in trust as the prize for the first person to find three keys that Halliday has hidden in the vast OASIS universe. To beat this ultimate video game players must use not only their gaming skills but also their obsessive knowledge of Halliday and his passion for all things 1980’s to understand the clues and solve the riddles that will lead them to victory. It sounds simple, but years have passed without anyone finding the location of the first key. When Wade, Parzival in the OASIS, finally figures out the mystery and obtains the first key, the frenzy for Halliday’s game begins anew and not only will Parzival have to compete against the very best of the best in geek lore, but he and his fellow gamers also have to dodge the limitless resources, and murderous intentions, of a large corporation hell-bent on gaining control of the OASIS.
The words “homage” and “lovingly” get tossed around a lot, at least here on Stainless Steel Droppings. Well worn as they are, they are perhaps the most apt phrases to use in discussing Ready Player One. In a conversation with my friend Jeff a few nights back, he astutely pointed out that Ready Player One is a book written for a certain type of person. Not everyone is going to connect with it. Nearly 400 pages (or 13 hours listening) of obsession with gaming, virtual world immersion, and the 1980’s will not appeal to everyone. But for those who grew up in that time period and/or have a fondness for that era and the world of gaming that has emerged from those humble arcade days, the book is a lovingly crafted nostalgic time machine that will have you smiling and reminiscing from (nearly) start to finish. Oh, there is more to the book than simply gazing backward. Cline has crafted a coming-of-age tale that examines the concepts of friendship and connection in an increasingly virtual world that is timely and accessible for all of us, regardless of age, who have developed our own relationships through blogging and social media. Included in the mix is a thread of tension and danger that propels the story forward as various contestants get closer to completing Halliday’s quest.
The audio version of Ready Player One is a delight. Given his current geek culture status and his presence as a pop culture icon in his own right (Star Trek), Wheaton was the obvious choice to narrate this tale. He makes Wade, Parzival, come to life in a way that feels genuine and authentic and Wheaton’s own enthusiasm for the time period emanates from each disc. If you are one of the handful of people who have yet to give Ready Player One a try, opt for the audio version. It is fantastic.
Author Ernest Cline has earned every ounce of praise he has received for Ready Player One. A novel that pays non-stop homage to a niche audience could have easily toppled over from the weight of its own ambitions, but Cline manages to stop short of overplaying his hand, leaving readers with a smile-inducing, page turning adventure that is obviously a work of great affection. I am so glad that I finally joined the ranks of those who found themselves lost for a time in Ernest Cline’s imagination.
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For anyone interested, details about Ernest Cline’s next novel, Armada, can be found here.
You’re not the last person on earth to read it, because I keep TELLING people that it’s a FABULOUS book, and they SHOULD buy it, but they never do. Maybe I should get the audio version in…
That said, I’m glad you liked it! (It’s one of my favorites for the year. So I’m a little biased.)
I can say without fear of contradiction that it will be on my ‘best of’ list this year as well. And since you like it that much you really should get the audio next time you decide to read it. I think you would be over the moon about it.
I’m glad I am one person you can now cross off your list, lol!
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I will probably be the last person in the world to read it. For some reason,the more hype there is around a book, the more it makes me want to just ignore it. Computer games were never my thing, so not sure how this particular story would connect with me.
It looks like you really enjoyed the book though, and that’s good.
I get that way too sometimes Delia. It wasn’t the case with this book, with this one I got more caught up in wanting to read other things and it never seemed like a priority.
I think the basic idea of the story probably has a universal appeal but it does revel in a lot of detail about old games as well as a lot of detail about the immersive gaming equipment in this imagined future that I must admit I slobbered over in envy whenever it was described.
I haven’t read it yet so I’ll be the last person on our message board to read it…wait maybe Bill hasn’t read it yet either.
It certainly is possible that Bill hasn’t gotten to it yet. He’s a gamer though, so he really should!
Computer games aren’t really my thing either and I loved this one. I do wish I had listened to the audio because everyone is raving about Wil Wheaton’s handling of it. When is your “best of 2012” list coming out 🙂
Sorry Tanya, your post got caught in the spam filter. Glad I checked it.
Anyway, I’m glad to hear that you loved it and are not a gamer. The raving is pretty justified, I think. Wheaton was tailor made to narrate a book like this. I would like to track down copies of his readings of John Scalzi’s books at some point.
I’ll do my Best Of lists (I do a reading one and favorite SFF cover art one) towards the end of the year. I see people doing them earlier but I always hope that I’ll find one more great read before the end of the year to make it onto the list.
You have company: I just finished listening to this as well. I didn’t find the same issue with the beginning, but it could have been because, to start, I wasn’t as smitten, so I was happy to listen to an hour of it every other day, when out for a walk, and just leave it at that. So if there was repetition, it was filed under “helpful” for me under those circumstances. But, as the story went along, I was looking for things to do that would create opportunities for extra listening so that I could move along with the characters; I absolutely loved the combination of elements of the story (with the softer bits handled deftly too), and was surprised to enjoy Wil Wheaton’s narration as well. Parzival for the win!
I’m sure part of it could have been the mood I was in at the time as well. Sometimes you just get tired of dystopian or apocalyptic futures and I felt like he took too long setting that up, but that’s just my opinion.
I did the same thing last night as far as looking for things to do so that I could keep listening. I listened to it while driving home from work, wrapped presents, took a long bath, popped in my headphones and played Bookworm on the computer and in the end managed to listen to the last 4+ discs before going to bed last night.
True: the same-ness of that particular genre in that respect can get to you when you’ve read a couple in a row.
Today I started two other audiobooks and even though I told myself in advance that they would be disappointing (what with the bookhangover and all) I was still so disappointed that I’ve set them both aside. I might actually just have to re-listen. Heheh.
I went ahead and ordered Half Sick of Shadows on audio even though I have the book. I’m going to need to listen to this Flavia adventure so I’m ready for the new one in February. I have too much traditional reading to do to get to it in any other way.
YES! I’m so glad you ended up liking it so much. I have very few memories from the beginning of the book, so perhaps I just blocked it out. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of it!
Thanks for putting it on your list, it gave me the kick to my little gray cells that they needed to go pick this up again. The whole thing has also made me want to try to finish a few more books before the end of the year that I started and then put aside because I got distracted by some other shiny object, as I am wont to do.
I think I just miss being a part of the niche audience on this one, despite how memorable my older brothers made the ’80s for me. but Wil Wheaton doing the reading on the audio adds to the appeal for me. May have to give it a go in 2013.
Are you saying I’m old? 🙂
I think you would enjoy the audio version, but as we were talking over on your blog, there are more than enough “should reads” out there to fill a lifetime or two.
This book has occupied my peripheral awareness for a long time. I guess since it came out. I don’t know that I can move it up the list right now, but you have definitely steered me to the audiobook whenever I get to it. I’m really excited about it now.
I think you would enjoy the audio, Jeremy. It would be a great one to listen to while you are running. Speaking of, I’m going to have to consider listening to an audio book one of these times when I do a long run. I like that idea.
I highly recommend it. It might not pump you up as much, but it’s a great way to make a dent in a book.
That is what I was thinking too. I’ve actually never listened to anything while running, even music. I’ve just enjoyed the sights and sounds of the world around me.
Fun review! I totally enjoyed this for the 80s stuff, but not necessarily the gaming bits since that was never my thing. However, my KID (17 years old) has just finished it and totally enjoyed it for the gaming parts… and obviously NOT the 80s stuff! So…it caught both generations that way! Awesome when a book can do that. 🙂
That is fun that it bridged generations that way. Its always interesting to see what generations kids will connect with. My daughter, who is 20, is a real big fan of the 80’s stuff. Of course we fed her a steady diet of John Hughes movies when she was age appropriate and 80’s music has always been a part of our music rotation at the house so that may be why.
I’m in the mood for a nice audio book! I wonder if I can get it digitally on my Kindle.
You should be able to, through Audible dot com at the very least if they don’t have the audio version on free use at the library. I think once you got past the introduction that you would enjoy this one very much. You would get all the gaming stuff plus it would be a blast to the past with all the 80’s references. You should check it out.
By the way, got my Kindle Fire HD in last night. Played around with it a little, but not too much.
Nice! I’m glad you finally picked one up!
Looks like there are just a couple of simple tricks (and an iphone app) that will allow me to listen on my iPhone.
That’s great!
Yes, I decided with some of the magazines I’m wanting to read and a favorite author doing ebook releases starting next month that it was time to get the kind of Kindle that I really wanted.
About time you read this Carl! 😉 My husband and I both loved it. While the “we are screwing up the world” bit is heavy handed, we had the most trouble with how easily Wade got into and hacked the corporate baddies (sorry I don’t remember their name!). Overall though, so much fun!
Well past time is what you mean! LOL!
There was a little bit of suspension of disbelief within the normal suspension of disbelief when it came to that hacking part, but at the same time it was fun and kept the story progressing forward at a nice pace rather than bogging down. I kind of took that part of the story as a metaphor for how no matter how big and powerful you are, you have vulnerable areas.
Your mention of “screwing up the world” also makes me remember that this is essentially a kid narrating the story and so what I initially felt was ‘heavy handed’ and put me off isn’t necessarily off base from the more black and white view we all have in adolescence. Hmmmm…
I went to see Cline speak at our local indie with Trish (Love, Laughter, a Touch of Insanity). We had a lot of fun, but I’m JUST NOW getting to the book. Bad me! I have the printed version, so I’m hoping I can make it through that draggy beginning you mentioned. 🙂
I’m probably in the minority who found the beginning a problem, and Wheaton’s narration is probably at a more conversational pace vs. how fast I read so that may have had something to do with it too. I hope you enjoy it, it is one heck of a fun book.
HA! I KNEW you’d like it! I also listened to the audiobook and think Wil Wheaton is a great reader. Wonder how long it will be until someone makes those “reenacting the movie” games real?
Yes, I’m a moron and should have gotten to it much earlier.
I’m not sure, but I’d would love to play games like that. Would be a blast.
Ooh, I’ve not read this one, either, but have also heard the rave reviews. I’ll have to see if the library has it in audio version, too.
Yes, do check it out on audio Aarti. It is well worth picking it over reading the book, although the book itself is a treat.
I will be the last person to read it! lol and not for trying, I think I’ve even had it out from the library. And I grew up in the 80’s, and my son games (as do I in a peripheral kind of way), so I should like this book. I will read it one day! I think, it’s not urgent for me – my tbr pile is so high that I am feeling guilty about not reading it – however, your review is also persuasive, so I might try the library again. I’m delighted you enjoyed it so much, Carl. Isn’t that a fun discovery?
Don’t feel guilty, just know that you’ll probably enjoy it when you can get to it. It was fun to discover that all the hype from friends and strangers alike turned out to be true for me too. That is always a special pleasure.
I loved this book. I kept telling my 21 year old son to read it, but he could never find a copy. So when I went to visit him last month, I bought him one. He read it in one day, that is with a full work/school load. Now he is asking me who he should read next. I love it.
That is fantastic! Isn’t it great when you can give someone a book and they not only devour it but want more? Love that. So very excited for you.
I do the same thing with my Mom, there have been quite a few books that I’ve read over the past couple of years that have gone directly to her after I finished them, and for the most part she likes the books that I suggest.
That is so cool that you can share that passion with her Adam!
That is wonderful Adam. I love doing that with K.
I enjoy sharing books with my wife. She doesn’t like a lot of SFF…I know she wouldn’t enjoy this one the way I did…but we have shared some SFF books and that is always a neat experience.
I don’t remember thinking that it was too heavy-handed early on, although looking at my review from when I read it in July I did say that it was slow in the beginning, but from Cline explaining things that nerds don’t need explained, not from taking too long to explain the world.
I really enjoyed the book, although I’m a bit young for his target audience (I was born in the mid 80’s) I’m pretty sure that I understood the vast majority of his 80’s references.
The biggest problem that I had with the book came from a single line towards the end of the book, it’s towards the end of the book (so if you haven’t read the book and don’t want it spoiled, stop reading now), but it really bothered me and changed how I looked at the novel as a whole.
Towards the end of the book, when it looks like IOI is going to win the prize, Wade says that he’s going to kill himself if they do. Even thinking that he’s only a teenager (he’s 18 in the book I think) it just seemed like far too extreme of a reaction. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that while it would suck for all of the people who play the game, it might be better for the world as a whole if IOI did win and get full control over the game.
I rambled on about it more on my blog, so I’ll stop now and just say that as a whole I really enjoyed the book, glad you did too.
I think part of it was my not being in the mood for the way the story started and part was because of the feeling that it was taking too long to get to the meet of the story.
SPOILER:
I thought the whole suicide thing was a little melodramatic myself but I also just took it in that light. Teenagers are very melodramatic, swept up in hormones and emotions and irrationality. Certainly there is a lot to be said about how not-ideal this world they live in is because of its artificiality. The desire to escape from that messed up world would be understandable, but we all desire it at times and I think it is better that we don’t have such an artificial world to get lost in.
I was very pleased that Cline addressed the issue of exercise in the book as early on I was thinking about how Wade would have been an unhealthy mess just sitting in his suit all day long. He didn’t quite touch on how they all survived with months of not being in any sunlight and possible Vitamin D deficiency. But I can’t have everything, lol!
I can’t imagine reading this without Wheaton’s voice. It’s so much fun!
I can’t either. I’m really hoping Wheaton is the narrator for his next book too.
My book club read this one a few months ago and had a great time with it. Afterwards, I pretty much pushed my copy onto my friend who loves gaming and the 80s, and she also loved it. Nice to hear you had fun! I read the paper copy, but I heard really good things about Wheaton’s audio.
Wheaton’s reading was really amazing and added a certain something to the story that made me glad I chose that route to experience it. His enthusiasm was infectious. I’m happy it is doing so well because it is a really fun love story to that time period.
Finished this up last night and loved it!
I’m upset I can’t download the Gaiman or Scalzi ones we talked about.
That is too bad. They may be available on Audible but then they wouldn’t be free…or they would I guess if you signed up for the 30 day free trial and then cancelled before you got charged.
I was just checking the digital download version. I need to see if they have the CD version.
I’m glad you found time to finish this book as well. I’m going to agree with you on the begining of the book but I will also raise you a predictable ending as well. I was hoping for a better ending but for me it was pre much telegraphed. I would say that this book is all about the journey through 80’s culture and gaming. Maybe the begining and ending didn’t mean so much to Cline because he really wanted to do was write about his love of all the stuff in the middle.
I would never have made it through the print edition but with Wil Wheaton reading it I just couldn’t stop listening myself. He was just so credible as the reader. I can’t image listening to Cline’s next book if it’s not read by Wil Wheaton. If he’s not reading it then it will be a deal breaker for me.
I also love the paperback cover you are showing above a hundred times better than the hardback cover.
I don’t think I would have made it through the print edition either, Jeff.
There were several parts where the details bored me beyond belief. It felt a little bit like he was just brain dumping ideas which were cool but served no purpose in the story.
Still, Will Wheaton’s reading of the text was engaging enough to keep me off the ‘skip’ button.
To the ending. Certainly it was predictable but so where pretty much ALL of the 80’s movies mentioned in the book.
We are all in agreement there, print vs. audio. There is no doubt Cline has some skills and is very passionate about the subject matter, but that passion could have used some more editing in places.
I’m glad you enjoyed listening to it, this may be my way to get you to “read” several more SFF books that I think you would enjoy!
I’m in!
We all spend so much time driving anymore audiobooks are just a great way to get in at least some reading everyday. With as bad as most of our local sports teams are I just can’t take sports talk all the time which is why I try and travel with at least one audio book any more.
James – You are right about the predictability of 80’s movies. 🙂
That predictability is one of the things that I loved about all those 80’s movies. If you were in the mood for a good happy ending you could count on it each and every time.
I don’t drive as far or as much as I used to for work but I still drive enough that it doesn’t take too terribly long to get through a reasonably sized book.
I reserved The Graveyard Book and Fuzzy Nation on audio. Picking them both up tomorrow.
Terrific! I picked up Fuzzy Nation from the library yesterday myself. Soon as I’m done listening to the latest Flavia de Luce mystery I’ll be on to it.
I am glad you liked this, Carl! It was one of my favourite reads this year. 🙂
I can see why now that I’ve FINALLY gotten to it.