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Audiobook Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Saturday Nite Reader21 Comments

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4_DiscoBalls

4 disco balls

Published: August 16, 2011 by Random House Audio
Narrator: Wil Wheaton
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BOTM $9.99 add on
Category: Science Fiction, YA, Fantasy, Dystopia
Prometheus Award for Best Novel (2012), ALA Alex Award (2012), Mary Shelley Award for Outstanding Fictional Work (2016)

Eureka! I finally found one: an audiobook that I loved. I mean what 80’s baby wouldn’t appreciate an audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton loaded with 80’s pop culture references to boot? Fun Fact: my favorite Wil Wheaton movie is Toy Soldiers.

I will admit that when I first read the synopsis of this book I didn’t think it was my jam. My best friend convinced me otherwise and boy was she right! I loved it! Like really loved it. I am not sure if I would have felt the same way reading the book versus listening; I think since I enjoyed the narration that I was more engaged. Either way I now can’t wait for the movie coming out in March.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline is about a highly introverted billionaire, James Halliday, whom leaves his fortune and control of his company to one lucky winner of a treasure hunt he has created inside the virtual reality environment (the Oasis) that he has also created (Wow, realized I wrote a sentence that could easily become some sort of tongue twister). Halliday loves the 80’s: its music, movies and video games…if you don’t, well then you probably would not have had a chance at winning the prize (and would not enjoy this book/audiobook as much).

I could probably write a bit more on the synopsis but I am going to let the movie trailer, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures, do that for me 😉

As someone who is not typically a fan of this genre, what Cline and Wheaton did with this story kept my attention. I did not harp too much on the numerous stereotypes within the book (stereotypical traits of gamers, nerds, and the like) and took the story for what it was (well, to me at least): an entertaining story that brought me into a new world that had me fully engaged from the start. I will certainly be expanding my reading selections moving forward.

Still need convincing (or just enjoying my review)?: One of the book’s main characters is a strong female heroine who is super smart and kicks butt.

Movie will be released March 29, 2018…countdown is on! Who’s coming with me?

Did you listen to the audiobook or read the book? What did you think? Are you excited for the movie as much as me?!

21 thoughts on “Audiobook Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline”

  2. I’ve been dying to read this one and don’t know why I haven’t yet. I’m not a big fan of audiobooks but sounds like this one was done well. Either way, I need to move this up on my TBR and read it before the film comes out.

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  6. OMG, this trailer was awesome!!! I haven’t seen it before and kinda decided that they have surely ruined to book, but this is good!! Love the music, and this is exactly how i imagined the setting in the book.

    Also, Wil Wheaton ❤ ❤

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  8. I forgot he narrated this. What a perfect match. I’ll watch the movie, but I will wait until it hits Netflix or Redbox. It looks awesome though.

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  10. Hear to hear that you find the audiobook that you like! It is a bit difficult to find that one narrator that will move you or inspire you to listen to the whole book!
    I haven’t read nor listen to this book, I think I will be watching the movie first XD

    I have some recommendations of audiobooks on my blog, and I am sure that you will love them! ❤

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