The Man in the High Castle

Philip K. Dick

Jan 2012 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

In this Hugo Award–winning alternative history classic—the basis for the Amazon Original series—the United States lost World War II and was subsequently divided between the Germans in the East and the Japanese in the West.

It’s America in 1962. Slavery is legal once again. The few Jews who still survive hide under assumed names. In this world, we meet characters like Frank Frink, a dealer of counterfeit Americana who is himself hiding his Jewish ancestry; Nobusuke Tagomi, the Japanese trade minister in San Francisco, unsure of his standing within the bureaucracy and Japan's with Germany; and Juliana Frink, Frank's ex-wife, who may be more important than she realizes.

These seemingly disparate characters gradually realize their connections to each other just as they realize that something is not quite right about their world. And it seems as though the answers might lie with Hawthorne Abendsen, a mysterious and reclusive author, whose best-selling novel describes a world in which the US won the War... The Man in the High Castle is Dick at his best, giving readers a harrowing vision of the world that almost was.

“The single most resonant and carefully imagined book of Dick’s career.”—New York Times

Ratings and reviews

It was a very easy read with thoughtful examination of intriguing themes, excellent characterization and distinct voices, and brilliant self awareness. My only criticism is that it is character driven and really a literary work, where I prefer more plot and less serious thought in my sci-fi/fantasy. Also, very different (though at times wonderfully similar) from the show. It won't give you answers to what happens next, so be prepared. But I ultimately enjoyed that aspect, and the book generally.

I know its supposed to be a classic, but it was an absolute chore to read through. I'm not sure if it hasn't aged well or its just not to my liking. The book had an interesting premise but the book itself its terribly boring and confusing.

Was hoping not to wait for the 3rd season on Amazon to get the end of the story, however the book is a totally different story line. Same story title and character names, but nothing more.

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.