47 pages • 1 hour read
The Man In The High Castle
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1960s
1962
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
The Man in the High Castle, by Philip K. Dick, is set in an alternate history where Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan won World War II and divided control of the United States. The novel follows various characters navigating life in this dystopian reality. An antiques dealer in Japanese-occupied San Francisco, a secretive Swedish businessman, and a metalworker hiding his Jewish identity are entangled with an underground book, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, that suggests the Allies truly won WWII. The story explores themes of resistance, oppression, and the nature of reality.
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Unnerving
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
240,389 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle captivates with its rich alternate history premise and intricate plot, set in a world where the Axis powers won WWII. Reviewers praise its imaginative world-building and thought-provoking themes. However, some find the narrative pacing uneven and the ending ambiguous. Overall, it remains a compelling and influential work in speculative fiction.
Who Should Read The Man In The High Castle?
Readers who enjoy alternative history, dystopian themes, and thought-provoking narratives will find The Man In The High Castle by Philip K. Dick captivating. Fans of George Orwell's 1984 and Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America will appreciate Dick’s intricate world-building and exploration of totalitarian regimes.
240,389 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Robert Childan
Robert Childan
An American antiques dealer whose shop serves Japanese clients, reflecting the tension and interplay between colonized Americans and their Japanese occupiers, with his actions revealing internal conflict and cultural envy.
Frank Frink
Frank Frink
An artisan whose creative work stands out in contrast to the prevailing themes of deception and subjugation in his society, while he secretly struggles with his hidden Jewish identity amid existential threats.
Juliana Frink
Juliana Frink
A judo instructor who leaves her past life behind on a quest for meaning, displaying independence and adaptability as she explores alternate realities and seeks inner truth.
288
Novel • Fiction
United States • 1960s
1962
Adult
14+ years
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