A review by siriuschico
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

4.0

"Man in the High Castle" didn't captivate me as much as some of Philip K. Dick's other books. It's still a pretty good read though (I still gave it four stars), but surprisingly, it's kinda normal. Out of the 250 pages, the first 200 are a solid alternative history spy thriller. Being honest, as a non-American, the whole Japan ruling America thing didn't hit me that hard (maybe it would mean fewer school shootings, who knows?). But it did make for an interesting backdrop for a spy story that felt almost like James Bond.
One thing that stood out for me was Childan's mental acrobatics. It's crazy how he tries to justify serving a race he considers inferior, all while knowing he's better than them. Poor guy can't live up to his own superiority. And then there's Mr. Tagomi, a super sympathetic and humane character. The way he deals with his own guilt is really fascinating.
But here's the kicker. In the last fifty pages, Philip K. Dick goes all out. We're talking overlapping realities, the I Ching oracle book coming to life, and Juliana revealing herself as this disruptive agent of Chtonic spirit. It's mind-blowing, man!
Honestly, spy thrillers aren't really my thing, but "Man in the High Castle" is a damn good book that becomes freakin' amazing towards the end.