Ready Player One: Chapter 0010-0019

[Winter, Group Reads]

This is the discussion thread for Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Chapter 0010-0019

[Ursula]

So I just finished Chapter 19 and this is starting to get a little slow but thought-provoking

(view spoiler)[ I am kind of over the whole side story of Wade having the crush on Art3mis. I get it, sometimes romance really sparks up a story but like come on dude, you have work to do and are getting seriously side-tracked! I am so not interested in the love plot right now. Also these Sixers absolutely suck but it is definitely keeping the plot interesting that all of these people are now through the First Gate.

I also think it is so interesting that Wade is now locked into a small apartment and has so much lack of interaction with the real world. He knows it too and I think it is starting to get to him a little bit but he cannot give up the addiction he has for the OASIS. I mean, the challenge aside, it is insane that people are interacting on a virtual reality instead of in-person. It's sad and in some ways deceptive, since you only see what people want you to see and that can be totally fake. I am very curious to see what Art3mis truly looks like, if we ever get to that point. I really hope the hunt for the Jade Key starts to pick up (hide spoiler)]

[Oumaïma]

My problem with these chapters is how slow the pacing is. After Wade crossed the first gate, the story just drags in my opinion.
Like @Ursula, I don't care much about the romance. It is cute somehow to see how awkward Wade is, but I want more action!

[Danielle]

As others have mentioned, it has slowed down in pace a bit but I am still hooked!

(view spoiler)[ My heart may have hurt a little when Art essentially broke up with Wade. He was so happy and it seemed like everything was finally going well for him. I have my hopes set on one of them being the first to find the egg, and maybe rekindle their relationship in the process!

The Sixers are really annoying and I can't believe they actually blew up Wade's trailer! I was so satisfied when Ogden blasted all of them that crashed his birthday party. I am curious to know more about Aech.... He has kind of dropped off the radar and he had a pretty heavy presence in the beginning, maybe with Art out of the way Wade will reconnect? (hide spoiler)]

[oshizu]

Wade and Art3mis
(view spoiler)[I'm not surprised that Wade would get so overwhelmed by his feelings for Art3mis. One, he's a shut-in geek who's never interacted with the female species before. Two, she's a celeb blogger of sorts who he's admired "from afar" for...had it been years?

I didn't mind the digression about their relationship--the book is not only about Wade's adventure in OASIS looking for the keys/gates, but also about his personal journey. He's been alone and lonely all his life. (hide spoiler)]

IOI
(view spoiler)[Actually enjoyed the depictions of IOI and Nolan Sorrento. IOI are just a big bunch of cheating bullies, smart maybe, but cheaters just the same.
IOI bombing his neighborhood horrified me for its straight-up homicide and the thoughtless, collateral damage. Since Wade wasn't emotionally attached to his stack housemates, though, I mostly thought, "Good thing Wade wasn't home," then kept turning pages. Heartless, but true. (hide spoiler)]

Oh, and I was a bit surprised by Wade's loooooooong password:
“No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful.”

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

oshizu wrote: "Oh, and I was a bit surprised by Wade's loooooooong password:
“No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful.”"

Just another reference that probably went over most people's heads. That one made me laugh out loud when I read it though because I've seen TMBG in concert a couple times.

[Kelly]

I was a little surprised when the IOI used such violence intended against Wade and his family, let alone all the other people killed in the explosion. Then again, it seems to be a cut throat world!

[Janet]

RJ wrote: "oshizu wrote: "Oh, and I was a bit surprised by Wade's loooooooong password:
“No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful.”"

Just another reference that probably went over m..."

I am enjoying the book but this one definitely went over my head. Because of your comment I googled the phrase and read the lyrics. Didn't help much. They were incomprehensible to me.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Janet wrote: "I am enjoying the book but this one definitely went over my head. Because of your comment I googled the phrase and read the lyrics. Didn't help much. They were incomprehensible to me."

The video of the song is fun to watch but mostly the reference was funny to me because I knew the song well and enjoyed it long before I read it in RP1. They Might Be Giants' lyrics don't always make a lot of sense.