In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Wattsreally feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as theOASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within thisworld’s digital confines — puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsessionwith the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power andfortune to whoever can unlock them.But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by playerswilling to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’sgoing to survive, he’ll have to win — and confront the real world he’s alwaysbeen so desperate to escape.