Ready Player One was on my TBR list for a long time, then I took it off, then I put it on hold at the library, then I brought it home, then I took it back without having read it, then I finally checked it out on CD, then I listened to it, then I was in love. If you were any kind of a geek/nerd/sci fi nut in the 80s you MUST read this book. For some of you of course, this is old news and you are wondering what took me so long. My answer is: I don't know!
The audio-book is read by Wil Wheaton, and he was the perfect choice. He barely sounds like Wesley Crusher at all and he is a geek himself and therefore hits all the inflections of video game playing and technology worship just right!
The story is about Wade who spends his time searching for an Easter egg, a hidden item in a movie, TV show, or video game. These are usually little inside jokes for the creator or writer that will only be noticed or understood by someone else "in the know." This particular EAster egg is worth billions of dollars left by James Halliday as a "Willy Wonkaish" way to leave his company and fortune to a worthy person. For years the world has focused on the quest which takes place in the OASIS a place much more pleasant than the world of 2044.
The story is about honor, friendship, and love as much as it is about video games, and 80s movies and music. It is truly a masterpiece integrating these elements around characters we love and root for and the evil bad buys we want to see defeated.
Now I may have to get the book and read it again!
