Dystopia Land discussion
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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
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Can't imagine one movie to cover that whole book - how about three movies? Really enjoyed listening to it , such a contrast between the actual world and the avatar world
I had to read this one for uni, and I've read it twice in a pretty short timeframe! It's a pretty awesome novel (even though I'm not the biggest fan of nostalgia for the sake of nostalgia), and its insight into the future is actually pretty bleak, unlike its mostly-lighthearted tone. Ready Player One is great for a fun read that offers insight, but it's definitely flawed and some things could have been more complex, but alas, I would be a liar if I wasn't excited for the movie or its sequel.Out of curiosity, did any of you have any problems (as small or minor as they may be) with anything in the novel?
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This is by far my most favorite book ever. I actually listened to this on Audio and loved Will Wheaton so well, that I picked up several other Audiobooks that he narrated. He did a fantastic job. So much so, that I can't hardly listen to any audiobooks without comparing the narrator to Will-LOL I also loved/lived the 80's though, so just about everything was relevant, including all of the video games that I played.
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I've started reading it again (for the second time) and forgot about how much happened. I don't think I could imagine will wheaton voicing this book but everyone someone sees me with it in my hand they always mention it. Might have to check into it. Not a big fan of audio books though. I guess I like the physical touch of a book. Plus it makes my library look bigger. Haha
I listened to this on audio, during a long 16 hour drive. LOVED IT. I also think Wil Wheaton did a good job of narrating. I work in a middle/high school library. We have a limited budget and only buy books a couple times a year. I was so excited about this one that I went ahead and bought it with my own money this past weekend and donated it. My 14 year old is currently reading it so she has something to compare the movie to that will be showing in our theater next weekend. (I live in a tiny farm town that has a 1 screen theater and shows only 1 movie on the weekends) I really don't have any complaints about the book at all. I thought Cline did a great job of mashing and contrasting old and new tech with his 80's theme going on.
I don't really think its a dystopia novel. While yes, the setting can be considered dystopianesque, its never the full focus of the novel, much to its detriment in my opinion. I thought it was an excellent book, but it could have been improved if Cline had worked with the motifs of escapism and how it numbs us to the realities of the world a little bit more.
What is your distinction between dystopia and dystopianesque? Honest question. I've never really thought about that before, but rather just extremes of dystopia. 1984 I would consider extreme dystopia, while Ready Player One would be on it's way toward that, but not quite as extreme. It definitely has a "the real world is depressing and everyone just wants to get away from it" vibe. The way Cline describes the housing shortage, assuming due to overcrowding (I can't quite remember what he says exactly about the real world), and how the 'slums' are built up and precariously on top of each other. I think there was talk about energy shortages? Also, a huge corporation that seems to go moderately unchecked as it searches for the easter eggs in the game.
I’m reading it right now and I’m enjoying everything nerdy that has come from it so far.
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"dystopia, n., an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one."
Becca wrote: "I’m reading it right now and I’m enjoying everything nerdy that has come from it so far."It's fantastic, isn't it? I grew up in the mid-late 80's and though I didn't get EVERY reference, there were so many! My hubby and I, being computer/game nerds, got a kick out of all the references and would get all excited when one was mentioned that we had forgotten about.
Denise wrote: "What is your distinction between dystopia and dystopianesque? Honest question. I've never really thought about that before, but rather just extremes of dystopia. 1984 I would consider extreme dysto..."I feel like Dystopianesque is more to do with slight changes, like maybe small things that are different, where as Dystopian is drastic. I mean, Ready Player One is a completely changed world where everything is based off computers, even living.
There's this book called California by Edan Lepucki (not trying to get off topic) where government is completely trashed and looters are tearing up towns and so people make their own groups and camps to live in. I feel like that would be more dystopianesque because it's not a different world completely, just becoming one
Denise wrote: "Becca wrote: "I’m reading it right now and I’m enjoying everything nerdy that has come from it so far."It's fantastic, isn't it? I grew up in the mid-late 80's and though I didn't get EVERY refer..."
Growing up in the 90's, I never really experienced the 80's but I love the decade so I would like write down the "easter egg" references and go back and look at them. "Dead Man's Party" by OIngo Boingo is at the very beginning and before then I didn't even know the song, haha
The movie was great! I feel they really captured the essence of the book, and the graphics were wonderful. Ultimately, this is teenage male fantasy, and Spielberg reminded us of that periodically. Its like drinking with a bunch of Southerners, eventually gun play will become part of the conversation. The same with the adolescent male fantasy, it might be distracting, but it comes with the turf.
I LOVED the book. I had to force myself to slow down, I was reading so fast desperate to find out what happens next but also upset I was getting to the end. I was heartbroken when I saw the film, it’s dreadful and the book is SO visual I’m not sure how they managed to ruin it so much.
I’ve bought copies for 3 of my friends and they all thought it was brilliant too.
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I was heartbroken when I saw the film, it’s dreadful and the book is SO visual I’m not sure how they managed to ruin it so much"
I don't usually compare the book and the movie adaptations just because it is a different type of media that uses different tools to relay a message but I have to agree with you on this one. With or without a book the movie was dreadful. I was also completely unable to connect to the characters and feel for them.
I love will Wheaton. He is my nerd's nerd. He had a short run show talking about nerd things. I saw every episode.Michele wrote: "I'm not sure I could listen to Wil Wheaton. I would want to keep shouting "Shut up, Wesley!!""
i had really mixed feelings about this book. i havent seen the movie yet.. but there was so much hype about the book i had to buy it. i enjoyed it but it felt like it was neverending in parts as well.. also it didnt feel very dystopian to me, most of it was based around the 80s instead of actual real world events
You've got your dystopian world where everything you do is virtually online, even going to school! This billionaire who developed the software dies leaving clues to his fortune in the gaming system and the main character hunts for the fortune.
It has romance, action, gaming and my favorite the 80's reference. Just the second page references an 80's song. It is by far my FAVORITE book.
Very detailed, and brings back Ms Pacman and such for the 80's nostalgia feel. I've read it a couple time and about to start it again. I'd love to have other people opinions and thoughts on the matter!
NOT TO MENTION --- Steven Spielberg is making a movie on it, so you want to read it if you haven't before it comes out!