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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Although TMINTHC is a classic sci-fi book - I just couldn't get into it. The plot is interesting and it definitely has some unique underlying concepts but the story and characters are cold and so far in left field that they are completely not relatable to the reader. I appreciate the complexity of the book itself. It's presents an alternate timeline to history, touches on the concept of the butterfly effect (If Teddy Roosevelt had died before WWII even started, how would that have affected the outcome?), a book within a book (a book about an alternate timeline where the allies won within a book presenting the timeline of the axis having won) that of course is being banned but loved around the world dominated by Nazi forces, and more importantly, it presents a complex view on identity, oppression, and value. I loved all these concepts. I especially loved the underlying reference about how objects perceived value in history is more heavily weighed by their paperwork than by the value objects themselves.
I disliked the constant referring to the I Ching that every character seems to make. I know there is probably some deep meaning about how people place important life decisions in the hands of luck or some arbitrary belief system rather than taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions... but... it gets old. At one point in the book, the timeline of worlds and realities within worlds and realities becomes skewed and unidentifiable. It briefly seems as though the character slips into an alternate future and has a momentary encounter within a timeline that doesn't exist. OR DOES IT? (<--- books that make you ask questions like that are annoying).
TMITHC is a terribly complex book that presents a huge array of literary concepts. I can see why it's a classic but that doesn't necessarily mean it's my favorite. It's very much like understanding modern art. Just because you understand the meaning behind something, it's purpose, and it's message doesn't necessarily mean you enjoy looking at it.
I disliked the constant referring to the I Ching that every character seems to make. I know there is probably some deep meaning about how people place important life decisions in the hands of luck or some arbitrary belief system rather than taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions... but... it gets old. At one point in the book, the timeline of worlds and realities within worlds and realities becomes skewed and unidentifiable. It briefly seems as though the character slips into an alternate future and has a momentary encounter within a timeline that doesn't exist. OR DOES IT? (<--- books that make you ask questions like that are annoying).
TMITHC is a terribly complex book that presents a huge array of literary concepts. I can see why it's a classic but that doesn't necessarily mean it's my favorite. It's very much like understanding modern art. Just because you understand the meaning behind something, it's purpose, and it's message doesn't necessarily mean you enjoy looking at it.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think the premise is interesting; the execution, however, is unsuccessful. I’m actually not quite sure what happened at the end. I don’t think this author is for me.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
horribly aged. nothing in it is offensive, its projections are just irritating in the current climate. when you eschew character depth for your idea, when the idea doesn’t work wow does all of it not work. white projections of the past into the future. and 60yrs on it’s pretty clear the nazis did win, and that man in the high castle’s alternate reality was just his own with a few cosmetic tweaks.
The concept of this novel was appealing to me. I love to imagine alternative realities. I did spend some time at first wondering what this was going to turn out to be, but in the end I was satisfied. It certainly raised many philosophical questions, and the parallels to our current society were evident (cultural appropriation, racism). What's intriguing is the concept that everything is all happening the same as it ever was. Germany and Japan DID win the war. And they didn't. There's always going to be a villain and always going to be a hero. And also the villain and hero are not too different from one another. You find yourself heavily invested in a character . . . who is a Nazi. But overall, fantastically written. Honorable mention to the part where the character Tagomi hallucinates and sees a freeway from our time. I think that kind of stuff happens all the time but in dreams.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No