Ace of Spades HQ

October 01, 2012

Book Review: Ready Player One
— Ace

A friend recommended this to me and I wanted to punch him in the nose. The premise seemed so contrived and so pandering, so eager to please. Like an annoying pop song where a hit is guaranteed because they've layered sugary-syrupy hook upon hook upon hook.

The premise is this: It is the year 2041, and the world has been over thirty years in the grips of the Great Recession (the one that began in 200 . Most people spend most of their free time in the greatest, most massively-multiplayer virtual world ever created, containing thousands of highly detailed worlds, including, explicitly, World of Warcraft's world. Pretty much all gaming and sci-fi and fantasy worlds have been ported into this massive virtual multiverse, and players can move from planet to planet (and fantasy to fantasy) via teleport pads or even X-Wing fighters.

That costs real money, though. Poor people mostly mill about on the few free worlds.

The creator of the game is a geek who was a teenager in the 1980s, fascinated with 80s pop culture and nerd culture of all kinds (sci-fi, fantasy, anime, Giant Robot Japanese shows, Duran Duran, videogames, and, yes, Dungeons & Dragons).

He dies. But in his video will -- televised to all the world -- he appears digitally inserted in the funeral scene from Heathers to announce that he has no heirs, and that his fortune -- two hundred and forty billion (with a b) dollars -- will be awarded to the first person who discovers the Easter Egg he has coded into the fantasy universe.

And oh, there are riddles and challenges, and they're going to involve esoteric trivia from the eighties (like maybe the dialogue in Ladyhawke or Ferris Buehler's Day Off) or skill at his favorite videogames (like, possibly, Berzerk or Defender).

So: It's a mash-up of the plots of Dream Park, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The DaVinci Code, except the riddles are not about early Gnostic thought or Dutch Masters but about Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot and Donkey Kong.

(Actually the riddles aren't about those things specifically -- I'm not giving spoilers. But they're about things like those things.)

The thing is, it all works. It's fun from start to finish. The Massively Multiverse Online Game isn't really so far off. At this point, only the lawyers and licensing stands in the way.

The high school zero hero, Wade Watts, is instantly appealing simply because he's such a pitiable underdog; he's awkward, fat, riddled with acne, and living in the future version of a trailer park (in which RVs are stacked upon each other 20 or more trailers high to preserve ground space). He doesn't have any money to teleport to all those myriad world where the Easter Egg can be found, but he does have time on his hands, so he can at least study the billion-dollar clues which might be hidden in Family Ties and Man From Atlantis.

But since this contest is for Real Money -- as Real as it gets, 240 billion dollar's worth -- there is, naturally, an Evil Corporation which has long sought to take over the virtual reality world, and they have their own hunters trying to find the Egg. And they are, of course, not above cheating.

Or murder.

I really liked this book. After reading a series of depressing books, and finding our own crapsack world pretty depressing lately, I really wanted a bright and light bit of escapism.

The book delivered. It's a first novel, and reads like that at times (it's always sort of awkward to read adults try to capture the essence of teenager's speech -- here, it seems to be a lot of "Dude" and "Suck" and "SUXXOR.") The Evil Corporation does not really appear to be all that Evil, except to a teenage Conforming Noncomfomist liberal's mind (wow, they want to take over the multiverse to impose a monthly fee, and put up additional advertising, and reduce cursing and trolling -- not exactly the Third Reich, here.)

But then, they do have a habit of murdering people, and that does make them pretty evil.

And towards the end, some very difficult schemes are pulled off with, to my mind, too little difficulty, too little set-up, too few complications along the way.

But still: If you have an interest in any of the things this writer does, and wouldn't mind to check out of the crapsack world for 8 or 10 hours in this virtual (literary) world, I'd buy the book.

Three quarters of the way through I started calling people to recommend it, so I'm definitely a fan.

By the way: Apart from the Evil Corporation That's Evil Chiefly Because It's a Corporation, there is one throwaway line to the crapsack world having had its environment altered because we screwed it all up, but that's never mentioned again. So you'll get those two minor nods to liberal sensibilities.

Otherwise, it's just a great big pure-escapism treasure hunt, with Fan Service laid on so thick you know it's going straight to your thighs, where people drop lines from The Breakfast Club and occasionally someone uses the line "No one ever gets what they want in the world and that is beautiful" for their computer's passphrase, and you'll scratch your head wondering "Where is that from?," until you look it up.

Highly recommended, if you're in the mood for a very, very sugar-filled dessert which is then topped with more sprinkled sugar. With a side of Count Chocula.

Posted by: Ace at 02:05 PM | Comments (98)
Post contains 934 words, total size 6 kb.

1 First to now read all that!

Posted by: Dang© at October 01, 2012 02:06 PM (R18D0)

2 1st AGAIN David Burge @iowahawkblog 54m Stand-in for Romney in Obama debate prep: John Kerry. Stand in for Biden in Ryan debate prep: Honey Boo Boo. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by: Evilpens at October 01, 2012 02:06 PM (ck76k)

3 DARN

Posted by: Evilpens at October 01, 2012 02:07 PM (ck76k)

4 Damn. This going to take a while.

Posted by: Dang© at October 01, 2012 02:07 PM (R18D0)

5 Sounds almost like a twist on Wilie Wonka except with computer gaming instead of candy.

Posted by: Vic at October 01, 2012 02:08 PM (YdQQY)

6 I mentioned that, it is Willie Wonka, for geeks instead of chocolate fiends. Including the Evil Sluggworth.

Posted by: ace at October 01, 2012 02:10 PM (LCRYB)

7 But still:

Is that what kids are calling it these days...

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at October 01, 2012 02:10 PM (vY2x+)

8 BTW that book is available on Kindle for $9.99

Posted by: Vic at October 01, 2012 02:11 PM (YdQQY)

Ulthh....they'll probably make a movie out of it.

Posted by: wheatie at October 01, 2012 02:11 PM (l5RhJ)

10 Also sort of sounds like the 39 Clues. Daughter #1 loved the first ten books. Don't know if the sequel series wasn't good or if she had just outgrown the series by the time it ended.

Posted by: Ruby at October 01, 2012 02:12 PM (vt4Ip)

11 Do WE not provide enough sugar for you Ace? I find that hard to believe.

Posted by: dogfish at October 01, 2012 02:13 PM (N2yhW)

12 OK, I read right through that Charlie and Chocolate Factory

Posted by: Vic at October 01, 2012 02:13 PM (YdQQY)

13 Book Review: ~~Ready Player~~ Chapter One

/somebodyhadto

Posted by: Hollowpoint at October 01, 2012 02:13 PM (SY2Kh)

14 I read that book a couple of months ago, and was surprised it was actually entertaining. And it was nostalgic, also.

Posted by: kathysaysso at October 01, 2012 02:13 PM (ZtwUX)

15 What? No vampires? Good luck with that.

Posted by: lowandslow at October 01, 2012 02:15 PM (GZitp)

If you're a child of the Eighties, you'll love this book. I've read it twice already.

Highly recommend.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at October 01, 2012 02:16 PM (RXQ4T)

17 Okay, I'm going to rip off this book idea, but change "eccentric billionaire obsessed with video games and the 80s" into "eccentric billionaire obsessed with pr0n".

Everyone spends their time in superslimy virtual sex worlds, looking for hidden clues in obscure Jenna Jameson flicks. And the hero is not a "fat acne laden nerd", but Jasmine Byrne.

Posted by: wooga at October 01, 2012 02:16 PM (vjyZP)

18 No vampires but probably has witches from Mississippi.

Posted by: Vic at October 01, 2012 02:16 PM (YdQQY)

19 he has no heirs, and that his fortune -- two hundred and forty billion (with a b) dollars -- will be awarded to the first person who discovers the Easter Egg he has coded into the fantasy universe.

That means the winner nets about a buck fifty after Obama is done with them.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 01, 2012 02:16 PM (LPHGB)

20 And the EEEEVIL Corporation probably would have gotten away with it too, if it hadn't been for those meddling kids...

Posted by: Mr Wolf, esq at October 01, 2012 02:16 PM (UIAT6)

21 What the hell is *fan service*--off to google.

Posted by: tasker at October 01, 2012 02:17 PM (r2PLg)

Already read it....

As long as you go into looking for light entertainment, you won't be disappointed...

But it sure aint Shakespear...

Posted by: Romeo13 at October 01, 2012 02:17 PM (lZBBB)

23 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: steevy at October 01, 2012 02:17 PM (6o4Fb)

24 From previous thread: 115 I'm in the checkout at the supermarket atm. All these weekly full-color national newspapers are making such a big deal about Princess Kate topless. But I know of a website where you can see LOTS of topless women pictures, and most of them aren't even blurry! Posted by: Truman North, happy iPhone addict at October 01, 2012 06:06 PM (M1tbx) Go on..... (Aspergers free)

Posted by: BCochran1981 at October 01, 2012 02:18 PM (GEICT)

25 Lost me at heathers

Posted by: phoenixgirl, still angry & ever vilgiliant at October 01, 2012 02:18 PM (cSMbR)

26 So..who knew? Ace is into Anime.

Posted by: tasker at October 01, 2012 02:18 PM (r2PLg)

27 ace, do you know if you will be liveblogging the debate on Wednesday?

Posted by: Tami at October 01, 2012 02:18 PM (X6akg)

28 >>>But it sure aint Shakespear... no, but it does play to the crowd. shakespeare did a bit of that. I wanted some capital-f Fun and I got it. So, in that frame of mind, it's a good read.

Posted by: ace at October 01, 2012 02:18 PM (LCRYB)

29 Cartoon porn.

Posted by: tasker at October 01, 2012 02:18 PM (r2PLg)

30 25 I guess some people didn't learn their lesson yesterday.

Posted by: Mirror-Universe Mitt Romney at October 01, 2012 02:19 PM (nVOyV)

31 wow, that does sound fun.

Posted by: joeindc44 at October 01, 2012 02:19 PM (QxSug)

32 I hope the book is not as long as the review. I'm 52 years old.

Posted by: eureka! at October 01, 2012 02:19 PM (cTjRR)

33 >>>ace, do you know if you will be liveblogging the debate on Wednesday? we don't know yet. Cover it live now charges money. I have to check their prices to see if it's worth it. If anyone knows of an alternate, free liveblog thing, let us know!

Posted by: ace at October 01, 2012 02:19 PM (LCRYB)

34 So... is it like "Lawnmower Man" meets "Matrix" meets "Idiocracy"? Cuz that would be awesome.

Posted by: wooga at October 01, 2012 02:19 PM (vjyZP)

Ace, so I am taking it you didnt like the Forever War.

Posted by: Thorisin at October 01, 2012 02:20 PM (xMq47)

36 I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese--I really think so!

Posted by: tasker at October 01, 2012 02:20 PM (r2PLg)

37 DRINK SLURM!

Posted by: HeatherRadish™, winner of the belching contest at October 01, 2012 02:20 PM (/kI1Q)

38 wow, that does sound fun.

Yea, the murder part is bitchin.

Posted by: Paul Ryan at October 01, 2012 02:20 PM (LPHGB)

39 I know I'm in the minority on this, but I found all the pandering (which is exactly the right word) to be nauseating. That, the predictable story, and a whole mountain of cliches really turned me off. Apparently it didn't bug Ace and many other readers, but I thought it read like geekbait-novel-by-numbers. Ace also overlooks at least one other bit of Lefty moralizing, when one character is revealed as a lesbian rejected by her family and the protagonist is portrayed as a noble hero for accepting her. Yay tolerance, but this scene seemed crudely inserted to advance an agenda and pat bien pensant readers on the head rather than contribute to the story. If you haven't read Neal Stephenson's "Snow Crash" yet, definitely do so before reading this. More creative, more depth, more better.

Posted by: C.T. at October 01, 2012 02:21 PM (bBHCm)

34....If anyone knows of an alternate, free liveblog thing, let us know!

Just put up a thread, Ace.

We can all tune into it on tv...and share our thoughts.

That would be free.

Posted by: wheatie at October 01, 2012 02:22 PM (l5RhJ)

41 The last few primary debates, the comment section here was a hell of a lot more entertaining then the liveblog.

Posted by: lowandslow at October 01, 2012 02:23 PM (GZitp)

42 I don't know what I love more. The book or the Epic Epic Epic wank that is going on in fandom because it's being turned into a movie and the Casting Wars have begun.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Whiteboard 2012 at October 01, 2012 02:23 PM (Gk3SS)

43 Is this an actual book, or the first in an interminable series, which every fucking thing seems to be nowadays?

Posted by: Waterhouse at October 01, 2012 02:23 PM (Ig0f3)

44 we don't know yet. Cover it live now charges money. I have to check their prices to see if it's worth it.

If anyone knows of an alternate, free liveblog thing, let us know!

Posted by: ace at October 01, 2012 06:19 PM (LCRYB)

Looks like they charge by the number of clicks you think you'll get. Do you know from the past how many people have clicked in?

http://tinyurl.com/8uluct3

Posted by: Tami at October 01, 2012 02:24 PM (X6akg)

45 >>>36 Ace, so I am taking it you didnt like the Forever War nope. Drivel. But what got me to the state of Needing Fun was a good book and an awful book, both depressing. "Flicker" is very good. But depressing. "The Black Dahlia" - James Ellroy's start of the LA Quartet -- I wanted to read for 10 years. I finally did. It's awful. Just awful. Hated it. Hated, hated. Plus, depressing. Not as depressing as Flicker, because at least flicker was good enough to get me into the world. Black Dahlia tried to be depressing, but was mostly inept. I really hated that book. I had planned to read LA Confidential next but I won't be reading Ellroy anymore.

Posted by: ace at October 01, 2012 02:24 PM (LCRYB)

46 "Like an annoying pop song where a hit is guaranteed because they've layered sugary-syrupy hook upon hook upon hook."

Hey, I got all the sugary-syrupy hooks you could ever want. I'm so sugary-syrupy I make Miley Cyrus sound like Joan Jett.

Posted by: Carly Rae Jepson at October 01, 2012 02:25 PM (KSjsb)

47 So it's a game about reading a book in 1980?

I didn't really read all of that.

Posted by: Dang© at October 01, 2012 02:25 PM (R18D0)

Which channel is this first Debate on? ....CBS, NBC or ABC?

Fox is acting like they're going to be covering it live.

Not sure how they're going to do that...unless they've paid for it.

Posted by: wheatie at October 01, 2012 02:25 PM (l5RhJ)

49 34 >>>ace, do you know if you will be liveblogging the debate on Wednesday? we don't know yet. Cover it live now charges money. I have to check their prices to see if it's worth it. If anyone knows of an alternate, free liveblog thing, let us know! Posted by: ace at October 01, 2012 06:19 PM (LCRYB) _______________ Just slum it in the threads. That liveblog stratification is so Frwench!! Especially when we see peeps getting elevated to the liveblog that haven't been around for months. And those same peeps go all caps. wtf?

Posted by: tasker at October 01, 2012 02:26 PM (r2PLg)

50 "Johnny Socko & His Flying Robot" The robot's name was Gigantor. It was a space age robot, the theme song assured us.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at October 01, 2012 02:26 PM (n1K5U)

If you haven't read Neal Stephenson's "Snow Crash" yet, definitely do so before reading this. More creative, more depth, more better<<><>

But is it more FUN?

And if you are answering that in your head with, "Only if you think scientific accuracy and rock-ribbed conservative leanings are fun" - then forget I asked

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at October 01, 2012 02:26 PM (RXQ4T)

52 OK, first I hear that Judge Dredd II is a good movie, then Ace tells me that a book which revolves around 80's trivia and a future MMORPG is also good.

Am I still on planet Earth?

It's like someone showing up to a backyard barbeque and saying "Hey, you guys gotta try this new beer from Coors, it's awesome!"

What next? AtC watches Taken II and says it was terrible? Dave in Texas starts raving about how great soccer is?

Posted by: Hollowpoint at October 01, 2012 02:27 PM (SY2Kh)

53 Everyone spends their time in superslimy virtual sex worlds, looking for hidden clues in obscure Jenna Jameson flicks. And the hero is not a "fat acne laden nerd", but Jasmine Byrne.

How the hell did you figure out what I'm working on for NaNoWriMo this year?

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Whiteboard 2012 at October 01, 2012 02:27 PM (Gk3SS)

54 >>>Is this an actual book, or the first in an interminable series, which every fucking thing seems to be nowadays? single book. It's successful so I imagine he'll try for a sequel, but I have trouble imagining that could work. Like, what? There's now a SECOND EASTER EGG? I'm sure he'll try it. Evil Corporations can be very persuasive about getting you to write a sequel. That said, the book is standalone, beginning middle end. It's divided, *internally*, into "parts," as some novels are. But instead of "Part One, "Part two, Part Three" it has "Level one, Level Two, Level three." Which is cute.

Posted by: ace at October 01, 2012 02:27 PM (LCRYB)

55 Pohl's Cool War was good.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Cool-War-Frederik-Pohl/dp/0345293835

Posted by: Paul Ryan at October 01, 2012 02:27 PM (LPHGB)

56 It's been awhile since I read it but I remember being struck by the simple fact that the main character is on a classic quest. Not a treasure hunt, a quest. It fit in perfectly with the theme of the story.

Posted by: Yeff at October 01, 2012 02:28 PM (TIuoo)

57 I swear Anime is the Japanese brain washing our youth -- some long war revenge.

Posted by: tasker at October 01, 2012 02:28 PM (r2PLg)

58 Like, what? There's now a SECOND EASTER EGG?

...there was actually a hundred easter eggs. Finding one only qualified you to be a player in the finals.

Posted by: Paul Ryan at October 01, 2012 02:29 PM (LPHGB)

59 Peeps will be hanging out at Table9chat.com for the debate. It's a free for all; no selective comment thingie.

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at October 01, 2012 02:30 PM (vY2x+)

60 Looking for a fun book, just fun - try The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold. She writes military science fiction/light comedy. Hell, pick up any of her Vorkosigan Saga books - all but the last handful can be picked up and read in any order.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole at October 01, 2012 02:30 PM (n1K5U)

61 I have nothing to offer on this subject, but it is relaxing not to think of any polls etc.

Posted by: Hello, it's just me Donna at October 01, 2012 02:30 PM (9+ccr)

62 Calamari for your cooter, monsieur?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at October 01, 2012 02:32 PM (+tqYo)

63 Ace,

This made the rounds in the Sunday Book Thread over a year ago, not that I'd recommend you arise early on a Sunday to read your own blog.

I gave it to my 13 yr old daughter for xmas and she LOVED it. It does have some adult themes, but it is suitable for a mature young teen.

For a 80's kid like me who grew up playing Joust in the local pizza parlor and it was catnip.

Posted by: Phat at October 01, 2012 02:32 PM (ipJDq)

64 This reminds me vaguely of Tad Williams' Otherworld

Posted by: BCochran1981 at October 01, 2012 02:33 PM (GEICT)

65 Ace, you'd probably make a little cash if you linked to the book at Amazon with your code. And it's also more convenient for us morons.

Posted by: Stan at October 01, 2012 02:35 PM (1FvUH)

66 wow, they want to take over the multiverse to impose a monthly fee, and put up additional advertising, and reduce cursing and trolling -- not exactly the Third Reich, here.)

The HQ after GE calls Ace on their obamaphone and gives him a bunch of obamamoney.

Posted by: That poor used girl at October 01, 2012 02:35 PM (PHb2k)

67 Ace, you didn't tell me you were literate!

Posted by: Hello, it's just me Donna at October 01, 2012 02:35 PM (9+ccr)

68 OT (and I appologize if someone else already mentioned this): The Vegas hotel that Obama checked into for debate prep... is North African themed http://bit.ly/UCIFaX

Posted by: The Political Hat at October 01, 2012 02:36 PM (XvHmy)

69 46>>nope. Drivel.

But what got me to the state of Needing Fun was a good book and an awful book, both depressing.

"Flicker" is very good. But depressing.

"The Black Dahlia" - James Ellroy's start of the LA Quartet -- I wanted to read for 10 years. I finally did. It's awful. Just awful. Hated it. Hated, hated.

Plus, depressing. Not as depressing as Flicker, because at least flicker was good enough to get me into the world. Black Dahlia tried to be depressing, but was mostly inept.

I really hated that book. I had planned to read LA Confidential next but I won't be reading Ellroy anymore.

Thanks for the heads up. Now I know what not to read

Posted by: Thorisin at October 01, 2012 02:36 PM (xMq47)

70 Posted by: The Political Hat at October 01, 2012 06:36 PM (XvHmy) The Luxor, that looks like a sphinx? For him, more like a sphincter.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at October 01, 2012 02:37 PM (+tqYo)

71 51 >> The robot's name was Gigantor. It was a space age robot, the theme song assured us.

Posted by: Inspector Asshole

No, Gigantor was a cartoon. Jonny Sokko was a TV series from Japan. Its bascially the poor mans Ultraman.

Posted by: Thorisin at October 01, 2012 02:38 PM (xMq47)

72 What next? AtC watches Taken II and says it was terrible?

Now that's just crazypants.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Whiteboard 2012 at October 01, 2012 02:39 PM (Gk3SS)

73 The Vegas hotel that Obama checked into for debate prep... is North African themed

Sacre bleu! I wasn't expecting that.

Posted by: Captain Renault at October 01, 2012 02:39 PM (z9HTb)

74 Let's be honest -- there's no way I'm not getting that $250B.

Posted by: Barak Obama at October 01, 2012 02:39 PM (LPHGB)

75 Posted by: Hello, it's just me Donna at October 01, 2012 06:35 PM (9+ccr)

Nice Auntie Mame reference.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Whiteboard 2012 at October 01, 2012 02:40 PM (Gk3SS)

76 Off Topic, but Ace, I think you had an effect on Saletan. His new Slate article is all about scrapping hate speech laws.

Posted by: Ghost at October 01, 2012 02:40 PM (SG9Ke)

77 The Vegas hotel that Obama checked into for debate prep... is North African themed

The service there is a pain in the ass.

Posted by: Momar K-Daffy at October 01, 2012 02:40 PM (z9HTb)

78 The service there is a pain in the ass.

Reggie tells me the room service here is more than just food...

Posted by: Barak Obama at October 01, 2012 02:42 PM (LPHGB)

79 Alex, you got that! I love the original Auntie Mame...

Posted by: Hello, it's just me Donna at October 01, 2012 02:43 PM (9+ccr)

80 What's with all this extra time for reading ace? Did you get rid of some time wasters in your life? :-)

Posted by: Bosk at October 01, 2012 02:45 PM (n2K+4)

81 I always wondered if they have doctors in virtual worlds. I never played, but could instead of making your character some awesome fabulous body person with great hair and big muscles or big boobs, you are a double amputee with asthma, rosecia, and a foot fetish. and a brass tooth.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at October 01, 2012 02:45 PM (PHb2k)

82 How the hell did you figure out what I'm working on for NaNoWriMo this year?
Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Whiteboard 2012 at October 01, 2012 06:27 PM (Gk3SS)

I follow the Homer Simpson school of story telling. Every story should end "with sexy results."

Posted by: wooga at October 01, 2012 02:48 PM (vjyZP)

83 Looks like Nevada and Oklahoma will be the only two states that the Green Party Prez. candidate won't be on the ballot. http://bit.ly/UCJrom Shame that we couldn't have her on the Nevada ballot to suck up leftists votes.

Posted by: The Political Hat at October 01, 2012 02:49 PM (XvHmy)

84 <i>occasionally someone uses the line "No one ever gets what they want in the world and that is beautiful" for their computer's passphrase, and you'll scratch your head wondering "Where is that from?," until you look it up</i>

It makes me a little sad inside to find out that you'd need to look that one up.

On the upside, it sounds like this will be a must-read for me because of that.

It puts the mass culture references on its blog, or it gets the hose again!

Posted by: VekTor at October 01, 2012 02:59 PM (N7DZ0)

"LA Confidential" is one of the best of Ellroy's books-- don't deny yourself the pleasure of it-- and i've read "The Forever War" twice-- i didn't find it to be drivel at all but good hard-core military sci-fi-- one of your posters recommended Stephenson's "Snow Crash"-- another excellent recommendations-- if you guys would like to read a very good series on Vikings from the 900's try Robert Low's "Oathsworn" books-- great sword and gore books written by a guy who knows his way around the English language and how to use it

Posted by: tomc at October 01, 2012 03:06 PM (avEuh)

86 Alexthechick, might want to find a copy of Rei Rei. It pretty much covers every pr0n theme possible. Second OVA had gamer geek get absorbed by his Nintendo and Kaguya has to battle tentacle monsters and side scrollers to defeat him.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 01, 2012 03:12 PM (u1Q5a)

87 I would love love love to see 'Snow Crash' as a short series. The Deliverator of La Costa Nostra Pizza. Like napalm wafting through the air.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 01, 2012 03:14 PM (u1Q5a)

88 What's your damage, Heather?

Posted by: Dr. Varno at October 01, 2012 03:16 PM (x6weF)

89 TL; DR.

At least the Ewok is not having sex with people's garbage.

Posted by: Mary Cloggenstein from Brattleboro, VT at October 01, 2012 03:23 PM (1RIcI)

I liked the Forever War but then I first read it when it was first published in book form

Posted by: Thorisin at October 01, 2012 03:26 PM (xMq47)

91 Japan's version of The Forever War- Voices of a Distant Star
http://youtu.be/BDzrz-QAaNc

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 01, 2012 03:28 PM (u1Q5a)

92 Really, Ace?

Taste in literature is a personal thing and all, but you're just wrong here.

There was an article on Cracked a while ago about stuff unfunny people do because they misunderstand humor. One of the items was citing some pop culture thing without delivering a punch line.

"Hey, remember Galaga? Yeah, me too." (pause for laughs). "Hey, remember that show Small Wonder?" (pause for laughs).

This book was like 250 pages of that.

I got the book as a gift and I still paid too much for it.

Posted by: Komissar Vladimir at October 01, 2012 03:47 PM (wWlUR)

93 And C.T. at 40 proved himself/herself/itself to be a man/woman/thing of impeccable taste by agreeing with my sensibilities.

Posted by: Komissar Vladimir at October 01, 2012 03:54 PM (wWlUR)

94 But what I really want to know is: will this book give me some kind of relief or escape from this crapsack world?

Posted by: Leo Ladenson at October 01, 2012 08:23 PM (aVH2N)

95 I "read" this book in Audiobook form from Audible (Amazon's audiobook club), read by Wil Wheaton. If you haven't read it (or even if you have), I highly recommend it. Wil just captures the whole spirit of the setting (and no, I'm not really a Wheaton fan). It's a shame he's too old to play Wade in the move the HAVE TO MAKE. (Yes, I know they'll totally screw it up, especially if it involves Lucas in any way. I'll still go see it.)

Posted by: DavidD at October 02, 2012 03:56 AM (Snn4W)

96 Good anime with the MMORP themeset is Sword Art Online. Just finished the first season, so it can be marathoned.

Posted by: flashbazzbo, s.e. at October 02, 2012 06:19 AM (i0rVe)

97 Read the book too, and I think sugary candy is a good metaphor for it. Also, there's a little more liberal ideology than just the Evil CorporationÂ™ that's thrown in. We also get a very 80's like "special episode" type of lecturing about a character that is so opposite of stereotypes that they kinda feel like a stereotype. I don't know how to else to describe that without giving away spoilers because it is a bit of a heavy-handed plot point.

That said, I agree with Ace. If you liked the 80's and wouldn't mind reading a bit of super-saturated 80's era pop culture geekery, it's a cute, fun read.

Posted by: Book at October 02, 2012 07:07 AM (2wHxM)

I actually emailed this guy years ago before he was E-famous.

He used to do some entertaining stuff and if you google untraman is airwolf you will see his past 80s schtick. I emailed him to let him know I was miffed that he let his politics interfere with his entertainment (he had started to interject it into his act) and that I could no longer support him.

He replied to my email by coming completely unhinged! Ranting about how right-wing fascists are destroying AmeriKKKA etc. I was actually pretty shocked. He literally told mt to "fuck off and die". I told him the same and that was it. Then he told me he was going to report me to his service provider and block all email from me.

He is an ULTRA lefttard jackass. I wish I would have read this post earlier to warn you. If you buy his book the money will probably be used to support causes you vehemently disagree with.

Posted by: pete at October 03, 2012 08:25 AM (sGtp+)

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