The Man in the High Castle
The Man in the High Castle
Pages: 392
Genres: Sci-Fi / Fantasy / Dystopian
Published: 1962
The Man in the High Castle is an alternate history novel by American writer Philip K. Dick. Published and set in 1962, the novel takes place fifteen years after an alternative ending to World War II, and concerns intrigues between the victorious Axis Powers—primarily, Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany—as they rule over the former United States, as well as daily life under the resulting totalitarian rule. The Man in the High Castle won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1963. Beginning in 2015, the book was adapted as a multi-season TV series, with Dick’s daughter, Isa Dick Hackett, serving as one of the show’s producers.
Reported inspirations include Ward Moore’s alternate Civil War history, Bring the Jubilee (1953), various classic World War II histories, and the I Ching (referred to in the novel). The novel features a “novel within the novel” comprising an alternate history within this alternate history wherein the Allies defeat the Axis (though in a manner distinct from the actual historical outcome).
Some months ago, I watched the whole Amazon show with the same name, and I really liked it. That’s why I had high hopes for the book, and since it was written by Philip K. Dick, I knew it wouldn’t let me down.
And indeed I am not!
This book takes us to a world where the Axis ruled, a world that is fortunately far from the present (and hopefully for eternity). A narrative that genuinely leaves us with the question “what if?” in our minds…
I was hoping for a longer plot because I was “contaminated” by the show, but even though there was plenty of space for it, I thought the storyline was about right and stuck to the subject.
I didn’t really like the ending; it wasn’t clear enough to me that it was the end.
Putting all that aside, this is a great book by a great author with a great vision that can take the reader to a society that has changed because of one change in the history we all know.
This work is exceptional in terms of its scientific and political merits and is well worth reading.