'The Man in the High Castle' by Philip K. Dick is an alternate history novel that explores a world where the Axis powers won World War II. The book delves into a post-war setting where America is divided between Japanese rule on the west coast, Nazi control on the east coast, and an independent state in the Rocky Mountains. Through multiple character perspectives and a nested narrative involving a book titled 'The Grasshopper Lies Heavy,' the story raises questions about reality, art, and the impact of historical events on individuals' lives.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include depictions of fascism, racism, and the genocide of various groups, particularly Jews and people of color.
Has Romance?
There are elements of romance, particularly in the character relationships, though it is not the central focus of the story.
From The Publisher:
NOW AN AMAZON ORIGINAL SERIES
'Truth, she thought. As terrible as death. But harder to find.'
America, fifteen years after the end of the Second World War. The winning Axis powers have divided their spoils: the Nazis control New York, while California is ruled by the Japanese. But between these two states - locked in a cold war - lies a neutal buffer zone in which legendary author Hawthorne Abendsen is rumoured to live. Abendsen lives in fear of his life for he has written a book in which World War Two was won by the Allies. . .
Ratings (68)
Incredible (7) | |
Loved It (14) | |
Liked It (23) | |
It Was OK (12) | |
Did Not Like (10) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (161):
Read It (73) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (70) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (14) |
4 comment(s)
This book is very difficult to review. I wish I could've taken a class with this as a discussion point because I feel like there's a lot to unpack. It was just such an unusual novel. I don't even know how to review it.
Evidently, if Japan and Germany had won the war, racism would be much more prominent. And I wouldn't have existed because I'm Jewish. (My best friend would've been brainwashed as a German).
This was an unpleasant world to live in, but it felt so real. I'm still not sure I'm not living in the German part of the US. I feel like this book had a lot of potential that it didn't live up to. On the other hand, the philosophy was interesting, and I'd like to see another version that went more into depth without turning to an old Chinese mythology book.
I feel like there were plot points that could've been more expounded upon and that the characters really didn't go anywhere in their stories. I was more interested in the overall events in the book than the characters. For example, how the Nazi government existed but had in-fighting. Or how they wanted to destroy Japan because they had a tenuous alliance with them. I would've liked to have seen that more developed.
I don't know how to rate this book, either, so I suppose I'll leave it unrated.
Easy to read but strangely unfulfilling
What the frick did I just read? The “story” is almost indistinguishable. Characters are introduced without any real development and storylines unfold without any rhyme or reason. I’m sure this book is deep and meaningful for some people, but I really didn’t understand what the author was attempting to do here.
The tension and strife of a world divided keeps the story roaring forward as the main characters are forced to reevaluate their world and their places in it
What can you read after
The Man in the High Castle?
About the Author:
Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928-1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly, as well as television's The Man in the High Castle. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and between 2007 and 2009, the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.
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