The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

A+

A-

B+

F+

F-

Rating

Current

To-Read

Read Sample

Rate the Show

The Man in the High Castle

Philip K. Dick

January 24, 1962 / 274 pages / Fiction

"The single most resonant and carefully imagined book of Dick's career." - New York Times

It's America in 1962. Slavery is legal once again. The few Jews who still survive hide under assumed names. In San Francisco, the I Ching is as common as the Yellow Pages. All because some twenty years earlier the United States lost a war-and is now occupied by Nazi Germany and Japan.

This harrowing, Hugo Award-winning novel is the work that established Philip K. Dick as an innovator in science fiction while breaking the barrier between science fiction and the serious novel of ideas. In it Dick offers a haunting vision of history as a nightmare from which it may just be possible to wake.

Winner of the Hugo Award

↓ more

B–

Alternate history

World War II

Science fiction

Philosophy

Dystopian

Spy thriller

↓ more

Writing Quality

Originality

Addictiveness

Re-readability

Movie Potential

Sequel Potential

˂ back

Title

Author

Release Date

Jan

1962

Page Count

Genre

Fiction

Nonfiction

Series

Cover Image

(Must be JPEG and less than 1 MB)

Synopsis

Submit

Mark book as duplicate

Reviews

sort

Dick's alternate history book follows the premise that the Axis won World War II. The book takes a critical look at some of the social implications that would arise from the Axis victory in the war. Most of the novel deals heavily with the tone and feel of the world. The book seems very lackluster and pointless until 3/4 of the way through the book. The last quarter of the book really delivers on the messages that Dick was trying to convey.

Grade: B / Obie / Nov 26, 2015

Surprisingly straightforward. Cold War perspective dates it a little, I think other works have lasted the test of time better.

Grade: B / Trilliane / May 23, 2014

A harrowing look into the possible universe if certain events, namely WW2 would have gone differently. A sobering look into morals, what constitutes reality, and how context creates meaning.

Grade: B / Scerakor / Jan 9, 2016

Dick's ability to reimagine history in such a detailed and nuanced way, all without sacrificing his artistic aim, is a remarkable achievement. One time through the novel feels insufficient. The character arcs on their own are not especially groundbreaking - each providing glimpses into an upside-down post-war society while a fog of espionage hangs over the plot. It's a short read and Dick wastes no words, carefully controlling all his moving pieces while he forms - and questions - a new reality.

Grade: B+ / bennett_the_ceo

/ Jun 10, 2017

This is my first novel by Philip K. Dick and it was excellent. The alternate history he creates is compelling and realistic. While it starts slow, the climax is excellent and the end leaves you asking more questions.

Grade: A– / mestblinknfggc / Jan 7, 2016

↓ more