Preemptive Retaliation

So I finished Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, and I have mixed feelings on it. On the one hand it’s a detailed, all-encompassing love letter to videogames and 80’s pop-culture, but on the other hand it’s a young adult book and reads like one. That seems like an easy, snobby comment to make, but it felt too young for me. The relationships were too simple, the conversations too trite and forced, and I got bored of the way the narrator took me out of the action to sit and explain an aspect of the world. Every time a new aspect of the world was introduced the narrator stopped to explain from head to toe exactly what it was. Don’t get me wrong, it was informative and interesting in the context of the story, but everything would grind to a halt for the narrator to explain something that someone reading the book would have full knowledge of to begin with (since it was a “here’s my story” type book).

On top of that, the pop-culture references are way over the top to the point of fan service. Every time the author winked to the reader with some sci-fi reference I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. There was a line later in the book that I couldn’t help but groan at as my sides were nudged by elbows making sure that I had noticed and understood the inside joke. It was infuriating.

But when the book was able to progress with its story, and when it was allowed to bring in these grand set pieces and fun situations, it was a really enjoyable read. The story was light and fun and progressed at a really satisfying pace, and the author didn’t labour on about inconsequential details. It was a fun read that hooked me with its race to the finish line and understandable story and great images. I just wish it didn’t feel so try-hard.

I think my problem here is that I wasn’t part of the book’s demographic. I’m too old for the obviousness and hand holding of most young adult fiction, but not old enough to appreciate the full nostalgia of the 80’s. I’m in the sour spot between the two. As such I was on the sidelines of the in-joke, laughing along with the book while trying to ignore its underlining snigger that I don’t quite understand.

Currently Reading: George Orwell – Animal Farm which is like going from a decent burger to a blue fillet steak. I need to wake my mind up to it or get literary indigestion.

Goddamn I am snobby.