Ready Player One

I had a friend recommend I read Ready Player One a while ago now, but I hadn’t followed up the lead until Penguin Random House shared the title with me this past month. I guess it’s no-one’s fault but my own for not digging into this great book sooner, so make sure you don’t make the same mistake!

Ready Player One is set in the year 2045, the world is no longer as we know it. It’s harsh, its not safe, and most people now spend large chunks of their time inside the OASIS, a virtual world that allows humanity to escape their reality.

Wade Watts is one such person, an orphaned teenager who doesn’t have much hope or prospects for the future. Inside OASIS, however, Wade is Parzival, a warrior. Wade has dedicated the past five years of his life to learn as much about the 80’s pop culture as he can. He’s a gunter, you see, and he’s searching to crack the code that OASIS creator Halliday left behind when he died. One among many trying to solve the puzzles and inherit Halliday’s fortune as well as the control of OASIS.

The story of Ready Player One is unique, and so immaculately crafted that when you’re reading it you may find yourself forgetting when you’re in the real world and when you’re in the OASIS. It’s created around this amazing culture that Halliday himself was obsessed with. But if you’re a lover of television shows or videogames from that period, or anything remotely related to the so called-geek culture then you will absolutely love reading this book.

The level of knowledge author Ernest Cline has embedded into this tale is remarkable, and if you are even a little nostalgic about geek culture, television shows, and videogames then sit back and get ready to enjoy the ride. Also make sure you set aside a fair amount of reading time on your calendar, because you’re not going to want to put this book down until you find out who is going to win the quest.

Parzival will face a number of daunting challenges as he seeks to locate the different keys, unlock the various gates and inch closer to discovering the hidden Easter egg inside OASIS. He will make friends along the way, and dangerous enemies too, as he struggles to beat the notorious Sixers who are willing to do anything to find the egg first and claim control of the OASIS for the Innovative Online Industries corporation.

Ready Player One had me engrossed from the first page, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a unique story and it’s a must read for anyone who is gamer or just a geek in general. After reading Ready Player One, I’m happy to say that my geek badge is shining all the brighter, and I can’t wait to watch the new film of the book which is directed by the incredible Steven Spielberg.

Ready Player One is available from bookstores and online retailers for a recommended retail price of R205.

Thanks to Penguin Random House SA for letting me explore the OASIS together with Parzival.