[Eastern Girl]

I just finished the book. Pretty proud of myself, as I had barely passed 100 pages yesterday. I got no work done, but I can join in with everyone.

I was born early 80s, so a child through most of the decade. Some of the references were lost on me, mostly the gaming stuff. The shows, music and movies that were mentioned I knew. I was giddy with each reference I recognized. I think I even began looking for stuff that wasn't there. Near the end, when Wade and the Sixers are all playing the Tempest and it's being broadcast, I immediately thought of the movie The Wizard with Fred Savage and Christian Slater, where the kids all play Super Mario Brothers and such in a big gaming competition. I pictured that whole part like that movie. Not sure if that was just me or if that was intentional or not, but I liked it.

My criticism of the book would be the obviousness of the theme of choosing to live in reality, versus virtual reality, of choosing connecting/working with others over solitary confinement. It probably could have been more subtle. In a number of parts of the book, it crept into soap opera territory. The ending was particularly sappy.

I think one reason why the ending seemed almost anticlimactic was because the search for the egg became secondary to Wade's desire to be with Artemis. I think this whole contest just mirrors our desire as people to search for something (a husband, job, new house) and we get fixated on it to the point where we miss out on just living life.

Here's my attempt at creating discussion surrounding the theme, given what we are saying about virtual vs reality and the good and bad of it all, do you think Wade should hit the button and end it all?