Has anyone read "Ready Player One"?

[Binto]

I just got into it. However, in the second chapter, the main character begins a Dawkinsesque rant about how bogus belief in God is. It sounds like it’s the default position of the author, and I have to just have to buck up and accept that. I’m afraid this attitude is going to continue throughout the novel all the while annoying and bumming me out. Please tell me I’m wrong. It’s entertaining otherwise! I just don’t want that “pie in the sky” athiesm being shoved down my throat for 30 chapters! I’ve had enough of it. I’m trying to avoid listening to proponents of that ugly worldview these days as it is. Sheesh…

Edit: It is a dystopian future from the point of view of an 18 year old kid… So that could make sense. I think it’ll be fine. I’m sure a good author wouldn’t preach a worldview to his readers. This book’s very popular!

 

[Kit15]

Yes and no.

The main character himself is an atheist and that does not change as the story goes on but it’s not that each chapter has him ranting about religion. You’re just along for the ride and suddenly it pops up for a second and then the ride continues. I know the part of the story you are talking about and I don’t think it ever gets THAT bad again. But every now and then there is the small, quick jab.

I will say that the most positive adult influence on the main character’s life is a believer. He does think of her belief as some sort of quirk but I think he acknowledges there there is something about her that sets her apart from others even if he doesn’t credit her faith for being the reason.

There is an “off-screen” example of a negative Christian experience when a character reveals her backstory and says she was thrown out of the house by her (Baptist?) mother when she was caught dating a girl. I can’t go into too much detail about this without revealing some of the most significant spoilers of the book, but that’s it in a nutshell.

The main message of the story is whether or not it’s actually better to live in an amazing artificial world where you can be amazing and do amazing things vs. a real dystopia where life isn’t that great and you very very ordinary. Also things like “with great power comes great responsibility”, the power of friendship, and sacrifice.

In spite of a few cringe moments, I enjoyed the book immensely.

 

[Viki63]

I I’m sure a good author wouldn’t preach a worldview to his readers. This book’s very popular!

What? That’s what fiction is, the author’s worldview. Look at Lord of the Rings, the Elijah books by O’Brien, Shakespeare, Jane Austen – everybody explicates their worldview through plot and characters.

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[Dandelion_Wine]

I know the part you’re talking about too. It seemed really out of place and undeveloped. It was almost like an"well since I have your attention, let me interrupt the story and tell you I think God stinks" and then he moves on. He could’ve left it out without it having any bearing on the story, character, or plot.

I think the author just took the opportunity for a personal tirade unfortunately.

But like Kit said, that’s the worst of it. There’s not much after that - not overtly at any rate.

Other than that, I thought it was quite the enjoyable read. There’s a twist at the end that may or may not have been some sort of social commentary, but overall I really enjoyed the read.

From what I understand there will be a movie in 2018 based on the book.