Ready Player One - June 2015

[Matt]

Well, I had started this book before we even started voting for June's book. After it won, I was thinking I would just slowly continue reading so that I would still be reading it while we discussed. But as I got further and further in, it got harder and harder to put the book down. I finished it a week and a half ago. But I can still discuss it. I'll keep it spoiler-free. I'd avoid reading on unless you're at least a few chapters in, though, just to be safe.

I think the worlds - the "real" world and OASIS - that Cline created are very interesting. The real world got worse (for a variety of reasons), so this virtual reality world became more appealing as an escape. But as more and more people used virtual reality as an escape, the real world was neglected, and so its decline accelerated.

The idea that OASIS has its own school system is really cool, too. Teachers are limited only by their imagination in terms of teaching methods.

Well, all my other thoughts relate to the plot, and I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll hold off until later in the month.

[Matt]

I had read the hobbit way more than 3 times.

[Rodney]

Dylan it will be my third time. As founding father I say yes. Reread it. Ask the founding mother Nicole though.

[John]

The hobbit sits at six times for me currently and ready player one is three and I am going to read it again for the club. So good.

[Trent]

This is my 1st time listening to Ready Player One. A few chapters in and I am really enjoying it.

[Nicole]

Founding mother? LOL! Go ahead and reread it Dylan.

[Rsquared]

Finished this yesterday and can't say enough good things about it. I joined this bookclub to read more and get my passion for reading back and this book certainly helped with this. Look forward to discussing it when everyone is ready.

[Jess]

This is my second time reading it. Also convinced a friend at work to move it up on his reading list.

[Matt]

I liked the idea of Halliday's Easter Egg. Reminds me of Willy Wonka. On a different note: am I the only one who pictured Og as Stephen Fry? I didn't picture any of the other characters as actors or actresses--just Og.

[Rodney]

Don't try and contain me on a show Dylan. The show will go where the show goes.

[Matt]

I think a discussion on how a book would be adapted to film can shed a lot of light on the book. As long as it isn't limited to "they should cast this guy as this character, because he looks right for the part." if, say, we discuss traits of the character that we think a certain actor can capture. or themes from the book that the movie should make sure to include, then a "movie" discussion could help people think about the book in new ways.

[Matt]

Yeah, I agree, Dylan. It would be preferable that the conversation focus on the book. I for one, have more doubts than ideas on how they would adapt it to film. And many people's thoughts and opinions might focus on the technical side, as opposed to characters, themes, plot, etc.

[Matt]

Anyone else have thoughts on the book? It has been a while with no discussion. (spoilers for the while book if you haven't finished) How did you feel about the world that Cline created in the book? Do you find that the main character is relatable? Sometimes I felt he was relatable, but at other times seemed a tad pathetic. Were Artemis and Aech believable characters? What did you think about the plot? At first glance it seems a bit too formulaic (character must accomplish A, B, and C to save the world). One might say it seems like the plot if a video game, but I suppose that is appropriate. But Cline also makes it a lot more interesting than you would expect. It isn't as straightforward as A B C. There are some cool twists and turns. Which brings up another question - what did you think of the break in the story to focus on Parzival and Artemis's love story?

I thought the Pac Man "side quest" was really cool. You think it is going to be the next key. But then it's nothing. Then I thought maybe it would end up being the third key, and Parzival would just get it automatically after he clears the second gate. Then I kind of forgot about it until it comes into play towards the end. Great payoff.

Any other thoughts? (Rod, in case you were looking for questions for this episode, feel free to borrow any of the above.)

[Sarah]

Personally I loved this book! It's the kind of experience I want to have every time I try something outside my comfort book zone!

I love the intricacies of the plot and how well all the different components tied together. I don't remember there being any loose ends or unanswered questions. I immediately wanted to go outside or interact with people face to face once I read the chapters about the "real world". It was entirely too believable and I'm a little scared that it might still happen.

I also thought the classroom set up in the oasis was an awesome idea in as much as it allows Teacher's and students a more layered learning experience. I wonder if kid's attitude about school would change if they had virtual reality options. I'd still make them go outside for recesses though!

My only complaint was the cavalier approach to the deaths of his family and especially the elderly neighbor. Perhaps that disconnect is a byproduct of the Oasis as well? The ability to ignore reality to the point where you don't care about people is scary too.

[Docxen]

I agree mostly sarah except for the "go outside" seems like a dangeous world outside would hope the school system or community would have some type of youth center. Also sad there is still a divide between the haves and have nots in the school system.

[John]

He talks about sobbing uncontrollably and wrenching grief at the loss of those people. I think the quick transfer happens because he becomes focus on his closer "family" like Aech and Artemis and protecting them. The same thing happens all the time in war zones and other situations with people trying to take care of each other instead of focusing on their grief.

The schools would be the best. Even just the unlimited access to information. It would be like Bill and Ted's adventure in school every day you can bring whoever from whenever to do presentations!

[John]

Just finished. I really enjoyed listening to the music as I went. It really added a lot to the experience. When it came to full soundtracks or albums I just listened to whatever tracks seemed to fit tue mood.

[Ellie]

I listened to the audiobook read by Wil Wheaton. I absolutely loved this book. It went right on to my top-ten-books-of-all-times list. I find it hard to explain why I loved it so much since my favorite part was the whole book. Maybe it's because I'm a major geek, and grew up in the 80's and 90's on fantasy books, D&D playing and watching Buffy among other things.

[Trent]

I also listened to the Wil Wheaton audio book and really enjoyed every minute of it. I'm sure I missed a good portion of the 80's and 90's references but I was able to get enough to keep waiting for the next great reference. Being a video game player from the time referred to in the book, I loved the format of the quest consisting of do A, then B, then C. Most of the RPG games I have played always followed that format. (Shining Force being my favorite) Since finishing I have recommended this book to a few different people. I'm looking forward to what others have to say about the book.

[Rodney]

This episode will be a complete love fest. I don't know anyone in our group that didn't like it

[Matt]

there was a section in the middle of the book that I didn't like. but I liked everything else

[Rodney]

The second scene? It is almost laid out like a trilogy. The second one is a bit of a downer. Knock the heroes down and stack the odds against them. Makes it a better victory in the third scene/movie.

[Matt]

not the whole second act. just the bit with the ACD, and the subsequent discussion of Halliday's views on spanking the proverbial monkey

[Rodney]

That part was odd. Didn't really need for the story.

[Rodney]

That part was odd. Didn't really need for the story.

[Matt]

Yeah, if I were going to read it again, I would just skip over that part.

[Andrew]

I loved this book. I was more of a child of the 90's but I got many of the sci-fi references. I read this quite a while ago and couldn't stop. While I don't remember many specific plot points, I can say my favorite part was researching the references and connections and finding new geeky things to investigate.

[Matt]

My issue is not so much with the ACD. it was weird, and very uncomfortable, but it served the purpose of showing just how low Wade had sunk. how terrible he felt after losing Art3mis. my issue is what he does after that, and not only rationalizes but glorifies it. when in essence, the two activities are equally sad and disordered.

[Rodney]

I don't really have as much a problem with artists using characters to express their views. I think that is part of creating art. The ability to express yourself in ways others can relate to. Wether it's stories, songs, or visual mediums

[Matt]

yeah, it was clear that Cline was expressing his own views through Wade. which I disagree with. and that's fine. but the fact that it was internally inconsistent is its own problem.

[Jesse]

I read the book a few weeks ago now and I had a few thoughts.
1. The obsession with the 80's is fun, but it kind of makes me sad that there were no other movies or books or games that the people of that time could enjoy. It was like all the stuff they liked only came from the distant past. Then, I wondered if Cline was making a point with this: the world had gone to double hockeysticks and the dreamers and creators had gone with it. In fact, the only really good entertainment in the book that was created within the last twenty years is the OASIS. Cline's characters are almost all cynics and maybe the lack of original, uplooking (or just forward looking) media helped produce that.
2. Cline tries to present the question of "is real life better than a virtual one" and kind of puts an answer to it, but that answer was really unsatisfying for me. Basically it boils down to the fact that happiness can only be found in the real world. Love can only be found in the real world. (I wonder if this ties in to the previous conversation about the 'doll' and 'spanking the monkey' ties in with this. 'Love' can be found on the computer, but it is still basically nothing but... well, I'm not sure what I'm allowed to say on this thread.) Still, what about those who are oppressed in real life yet find freedom on the OASIS? What about those who can only make money on the OASIS because the real world around them is so war torn/ scorched/ fill-in-the-blank that they can't do anything around them? What about all the education that can be taught through the OASIS? Maybe Cline is saying that the OASIS is fine but in moderation, but the ending just kind of rang hollow to me. Like Cline was trying to say something, but just wanted to tack on the ending.
3. Finally, something that just was a personal bug: If Halliday was such a genius and altruistic person, why didn't he use his money to make the world a better place (feed the poor, heal the land, whatever) rather than making a big video game? I understand if he had done so the story would be kaput, but it just frustrated me that when the world was in such dire straights Halliday said, "I know! I'll make a video game world full of references that most people these days have barely ever heard of!"

Overall, a better than average book, but it had a few flaws for me. I'm excited to talk about it with everyone soon and see if we can have some good conversations with the questions that this book raises.

[Rodney]

As a child of the 80's, I loved the references. I think the reason everyone is so enamored with the 80's in this book is because of Halliday. The author discusses Halliday's inability to deal with most people in a face to face setting. He was able to talk with Morrow, but could only interact with others during role playing sessions. Often only being able to talk to them by their character's name. He creates the virtual environment that becomes an outlet for him. He is able to comfortably interact with the rest of the world. He uses the OASIS to recreate many of the things he loved from his childhood. Something I think many of us would do if given the opportunity. You mentioned creators. I think that there are probably still creators in this future. I feel most of it is done in the OASIS. Movies now use more CGI and special effects than ever before. They do this because they have the technology to do so. Creators will always create. They will use the technology and methods available to them. In this future that means the OASIS.
The quest that he created is the reason everyone becomes obsessed with the 80's. Trying to win money. Also, the idealized version of that decade created by Halliday. I think many of us old curmudgeons feel like things used to be better when we younger. "The younger generation doesn't want to work. They don't respect their elders. The world is going to hell." The OASIS allows everyone to easily live in an idolized better time.
I agree with you completely about the possibilities of the OASIS. I think the internet has shown us how the world can adapt to online technology. More people are working from home. People can have meetings from separate offices around the world. You can even get college degrees online now. You make great points about the possibilities something like the OASIS would create for so many people. I feel like these are natural progressions.
I feel like this book really read more like a trilogy. It had three very separate sections and themes. I feel like a really rambled here. Not sure I addressed much out of your post or not. Either way, I'm stealing parts for questions.