The Man in the High Castle

Rating:
Summary: A classic with a point
Review: This is one of Dick's better books, which of course means it's pretty close to perfect. The idea of 'alternative reality' has been handled many times since, but I think Philip K. was one of the first, and to this day, he must be the only one to get such visions ot of the concept. The book feels strange and dreamy, which is purely functional: after all, it's about a dream. Or a global illusion. Whatever you wish... Dick gives no easy answers. Surely worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Even this book doesn't make me a Philip K. Dick Fan
Review: I personally have never been a Philip K. Dick fan, and have yet to finished one of his books (except Deus Irae)--they always seem to get laid aside at some point in their reading, but I was determined to read A Man in the High Castle and see what the Hugo winning book was about! This linear reading (which is unusual for Dick I understand) was the most engaging I have ever read (actually finishing it) but I too as a reader was put off by the ending--I can't say I like pat endings but a twist-in a twist-in a twist etc... is not original or to me satisfying! If one likes an ending that leaves you "thinking" but drives you nuts, instead of the Man in the High Castle read "An Arabian Nightmare". If you desire a good mix of "thinking" with an ending that doesn't leave you crazy read "Deus Irae" -the collaboration between Philip K. Dick and Roger Zelazny--with Roger's direction (what can I say? As a Zelazny Fan I feel he deserves the credit) the book has a suitable ending... All in all a fairly good read as you are presented with an alternate world as visualized by Dick and the japanese insight is enlightening--but alas Philip K. Dick is dead and the ending you'll only have to "think" about

Rating:
Summary: Interesting concept, but no story.
Review: I must confess some disappointment with this book. It had an interesting, if terrifying premise, essentially being that America lost WW II and the Eastern half was occupied by the Germans and the Western half by the Japs. The book started by describing life under these circumstance, but then made only an abortive attempt of telling a story, concluding with a "and then I woke up" sort of ending. Disappointing. Also,from a historical point of view, it also gives too much credit to Roosevelt, saying that only he kept the US from rolling over and surrendering, which is an absolute absurdity.

Rating:
Summary: Dick's ideas for this alternate reality are frightening
Review: The Man in High Castle deals with an idea that many have probably thought about...what if the axis won WWII. Philip K. Dick tackles this alternate reality and puts you in a frightening world of legalized segregation, racism, and genocide. The subject matter and Dick's amazing way of putting the reader in the setting make it one of the more enjoyable books I have read in a while. If you like "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep", you will be pleased with this Dick offering as well. The man was way ahead of his time.

Rating:
Summary: Dick poses an unanswerable question...What is reality?
Review: People that have read the book and rated it low probably missed the point of the story. No one in the story (Examples: Mr. Tagomi, Baynes-which is also an author's name of one of the many translations of the I Ching, Frank Frink, Joe...etc.) are what they seem to be. Everything from the artifical "American Artifacts" to the rumors about the author of "Grasshopper Lies Heavy" serve a point. Reality is not just an illusion, but it's layers upon layers of illusions. Nothing is cleared up at the end of the novel for that very reason. For example, Joe was first presented as a simple truck driver, but was later shown to be an assassin sent by Germany. Mrs. Frink, by the end of the book, doubts he is even that since many details of his story prove to by false. "The Man in the High Castle", like the I Ching, deals solely on the moment. That is why the book didn't have a clean-cut beginning or ending. Reality at one moment might be different in the next. Philip K. Dick conveys this well. Dick, like a manidor beckening the bull towards a red cloth, lets the readers grasp one reality only so he can pull it away.

Rating:
Summary: Moving and dignified.
Review: Few books leave you moved in the way this will. I can't put my finger on it, suffice to say that even now, ten years after my first and so far only read, it still influences my thinking on many levels. It certainly helped raise my awareness of "things" around and beyond me. The book is on my shelf just waiting for the right time for a second read. I don't want to get weird, but it just lingers with it's ideas, it's beautiful characters, it's humble majesty. And that's the key. It is ultimately a very humble novel with,I feel, few pretentions oher than to open doorways in the willing readers psyche. OK so I also Love the Grateful Dead. Maybe that explains it. It's a similar deal, it's there if you want it and who knows what it'll do for you.

Rating:
Summary: Postmodern? alternate history.
Review: I think the characters & world described were SUPPOSED TO BE ARTIFICIAL. I thought it was just okay, but I think it's a classic because it does something with alternate history I've never seen before or since. I don't think its publication date has much to do with its status.

Rating:
Summary: my favorite fiction
Review: I'm a big phillip dick fan to begin with, and this is probably his best work. Dick always leaves you with something to think about and changes you in ways you don't always realise. This one is mind expanding people. Get it, read it.

Rating:
Summary: Good for its day
Review: I feel that this book gets such high ratings due to the fact that it was written in the 60's. Of course this was an important and exciting work back then, but today I think it is rather dull. The author does a great job of developing characters, and telling a story. However, where is the plot and the excitement? Another reviewer mentioned that you need to read this book at least twice to really grasp what is going on. I agree with this and also the fact that it wasn't entertaining enough to justify reading it again. I believe what people want to see today is for the author to go one step further with the alternate timeline(s), and show some action or consequences. This book left you hanging, and wanting a little too much. But that's just my opinion...

Rating:
Summary: My favorite read of the last ten years
Review: I found this book by trying to read through the list of Hugo Award winners. I stopped there, and am currently reading through the lists of Dick's books. The most striking characteristic of this book are the characters themselves. No other fiction writer I have ever picked puts the reader in his characters' heads more convincingly and touchingly than this guy.