Science fiction
Ready Player One
In a worn-out near future, most people escape into a vast virtual world. When its creator dies and leaves his fortune to whoever solves a hidden puzzle, a poor teenager joins a global hunt built on eighties pop culture.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2011
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 387
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in Ready Player One
Read this if you want a fast, playful treasure hunt packed with eighties games, films and music.
Skip this if you are not into pop-culture references or prefer more nuanced characters than this book offers.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Ready Player One
- What is Ready Player One about?
- In a worn-out near future, most people escape into a vast virtual world. When its creator dies and leaves his fortune to whoever solves a hidden puzzle, a poor teenager joins a global hunt built on eighties pop culture.
- Who should read Ready Player One?
- Read it if you want a fast, playful treasure hunt packed with eighties games, films and music. Skip it if you are not into pop-culture references or prefer more nuanced characters than this book offers.
- How long and how fast is Ready Player One?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 387 pages, first published in 2011.
- Does Ready Player One have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow Ready Player One for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Ready Player One; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Ready Player One?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Snow Crash, Neuromancer.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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