The Man in the High Castle

Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app

Title: The Man in the High Castle

Author: Philip K. Dick

Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian/Alternate Fiction

Published: 1962

Obtained: Audible

It’s the early 1960’s in the United States, which has been divided since the end of World War II; one half is under Nazi control, while the other is under Japanese rule. The only hope that really manifests for the individuals living under the German or Japanese rule is in the form of a novel called, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—a banned book depicting a world in which the Axis Powers lose the war.

Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app

Let me start by stating that this review does contain some small spoilers; as hard as I tried to avoid spoiling anything too profound, it was incredibly difficult to discuss this book without exploiting some details. I have such a complicated view on this book which mirrors the complicated feelings I experienced while reading it. I selected this book after I started watching the series on Amazon Prime. The show is gripping despite it’s slow start. The television series has definitely taken some liberties from the novel, but the skeletal foundation is there. The Man in the High Castle takes place in a world where the Axis powers won World War II. It opens in the early 1960’s where half of the United States is under rule of Nazi Germany in the Greater Nazi Reich and the other half is under the influence of Imperial Japan in the Pacific States of America. The story opens with unsettling details through the eyes of a few primary characters—slavery is once again legal, individuals are persecuted based on race and those of Jewish descent are forced to live under new names to survive in secret. The author, Philip K. Dick, takes the reader on a journey through a parallel universe that depicts how our world might be if the U.S. had lost the war. The novel is both terrifying and ingenious. While Dick’s theories and ideas are both strong and dynamic, they tend to drown out the characters and the subplots in the book.

I am not typically drawn to science fiction or dystopian novels. As I mentioned, I picked this book up after I was sucked into the show. However, I was compelled by the exploration of race, alternate realities and destiny/fate. I think I was most struck to see how the world could be if World War II had a different outcome. What I find terrifying is the thought of how easily our world could slip into this type of intolerant, violent society as depicted in The Man in the High Castle. I found it interesting that so many characters in this novel utilize the I Ching to help guide them as they make decisions. The I Ching literally pops up in every plot and subplot of the novel; it is the connection between various characters. More incredibly, however, is the idea that the I Ching allows the reader glimpses into these alternate universes that some of the characters experience. The book gets even more mind blowing with the introduction of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, which is a book within The Man in the High Castle; The Grasshopper Lies Heavy is a book written by a character named Hawthorne Abendsen. Abendsen’s novel is a refreshing piece of fiction for many of the characters in The Man in the High Castle because it depicts a world where the Axis powers lost World War II; though not quite the world as we know it now, many characters are drawn to the book because it offers a glimmer of hope. Now, here comes a spoiler (sorry!): Abendsen admits to using the I Ching to write The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—implying that there is a truth regarding the outcomes written in it. Because The Grasshopper Lies Heavy ends with some differences compared to our own history, the reader is left wondering if Dick is implying that our real world is also an alternate universe in a sea of possible worlds. If your brain hurts, welcome to the club!

A big glass of Fortress wine to help the brain pain!

As the reader, I did have my issues with the book. While the alternate universe and the connections of fate kept my mind reeling and invested, I felt very little connection to a majority of the characters. I’ve said this before in my reviews, but characterization is a big deal to me as a reader. I enjoyed some of the inner-monologues, like Frank’s or Childen’s, that offered some insight into their perspectives of that world and the shift in culture…but these instances were far and few between. Aside from the fascinating world Dick created, I felt lost and bored during many parts of the book. Perhaps I made the mistake of starting the show first; I was expecting more from the characters and much more action. The novel consists of a lot of “almosts” —there was almost an assassination and there was almost a horrible tragedy in store for an important character. However, a lot of these “almost” things don’t come to fruition. In fact, the ending of the novel, while establishing a profound and thought provoking possibility, is extremely anticlimactic in terms of action and closure.

All in all, The Man in the High Castle consisted of intriguing sub-plots that are introduced and then nicely woven together as the story progresses. The scary world that Dick has created offers a lot of opportunities for the reader to imagine how differently our lives could be…and, arguably, draw parallels to the events occuring in real time. The ideas of alternate realities and fate are well developed and are written philosophically and profoundly. Yet, Dick delivers an underwhelming novel. He fails to cultivate any real connection between the reader and the characters. The lack of action left me wanting more from the story; truthfully, some of the monologues and passages felt mind-numbing and had me itching to put down the book. While the initial glaring presence of exterminations, persecutions and violence were terrifying, the idea of American culture being destroyed and non-existent was incredibly unsettling. I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is the most demanding book I’ve read—meaning, it required a lot of focus and mental effort to read it, understand it and appreciate/enjoy it. As a book-lover, it pains me to admit that I am enjoying the show far more than I enjoyed the novel (insert Septa Unella following me with her bell saying, “Shame! Shame!”). But, it’s true. I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys alternate universes, dystopian-type books and profound thoughts on truth and fate. I also recommend giving it a try if you are currently watching, or have interest in watching, the Amazon Prime series. And I highly suggest watching The Man in the High Castle—I have found that the writers and developers of the series have really expanded on the characters, giving them more depth and more meaning. As far as the wine pairing, I suggest anything that contains a high alcohol content, for your brain will surely thank you. Specifically, I recommend Fortress Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, which has a 14.5% alcohol content to help swallow down the atrocities of the Axis alliance. This wine provides a bold, dark and strong flavor that pairs well with the dark and, often, cryptic aspects of The Man in the High Castle. Enjoy!