The Axis countries won World War II. Germany is in control of most of the world. The nazis ideas are being imposed around the world, the jews and other races are being extermined and there are travels to the Moon and Mars. Japan has control of some places, but Germany wants to take away that power.
USA is divided into three zones: The Pacific controlled by Japan, the Atlantic controlled by Germany and a free zone in the middle. The story takes place in the japanese zone. There the japanese are considered lords and they’ve imposed their traditions and way of life. Everyone has to consult the I Ching, an oracle that tells them their future or how to act in an specific situation and things like that.
In the free zone, there’s a character named Hawthorne Abendsen who supposedly lives in a high castle. He wrote a book that presents us a different story of World War II, one where the Allies won the war, but it’s not what really happened. This book is forbidden by the germans, but it becomes very famous in japanese and free zones.
Juliana Frink, one of the characters is the one who comprehends, thanks to the I Ching, the book’s purpose.
Well, I think this is an interesting book because of the world it presents us. The americans are totally dominated and they consider themselves as inferior. Some things as Mickey Mouse watches, bottlecaps or posters are coveted by the japanese because they are american ancient culture. It is a very different world from ours.
It has an end that makes you think. I had to investigate a little for understanding it. The book talks about several possible realities. Mr. Tagomi experiences one different reality for some moments.
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