In "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline, the main character is a teen named Will Watts. The story takes place in a futuristic but dystopian world where mankind lives in a broken world it only wants to escape. This escape comes in the form of a virtual reality game called "The Oasis" and after the creator of it dies, he creates an "egg hunt" within it. The reward of this egg hunt is the entirety of his vast fortune and his company and Will Watts is an avid "Gunther," someone who is in search of the egg. At the beginning of the story, he starts with nothing as just a poor kid living in the "stacks" of Columbus Ohio. As a chubby, lonely kid all he had was the Oasis and the egg hunt that most of the world had forgotten. But Will would mature. Challenge after challenge would test his will and abilities, some of which difficult decisions would be made. From things as little as an online crush gone wrong to a mega-corporation out to kill him, he is forced to drastically change during the hunt. In the end, he finds himself the victor of the long-standing egg hunt. He has found love, a loyal group of friends, success, and above all he has found himself along the way. He is no longer just an impoverished kid with nothing to offer. He is Will Watts, someone who doesn't need the Oasis anymore now that he has found his meaning and enjoyment outside of it. I believe that this book sends a very broad message. Messages of determination, perseverance, and hope are seen throughout the book. "Ready Player One" shows a pitiful character and their metamorphosis into a great figure. At times I felt giddy with excitement when reading, and at others, I felt nothing but pity and empathy for the main character. But I also saw a little bit of myself in him. I relate to his wanting to be great and also make everyone around him happy, but not being able to have both. Sometimes sacrificing relationships to pursue your responsibilities and visions of success is necessary. In summary, "Ready Player One" carries a heavy and meaningful message that many readers can relate to. Any reader interested in reading “Ready Player One” should research the pop culture references made throughout the book. Understanding the culture present throughout the book paints a new picture for every scene, and with that, another level of enjoyment.
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