Alternate-History Books for Fans of The Man in the High Castle
The alternate-history TV series The Man in the High Castle, loosely based on the 1962 Philip K. Dick novel of the same name, has become Amazon’s most-watched original series. The premise here is that the Axis powers won WWII and the U.S. has been split into the Greater Nazi Reich and the Pacific States. People live in fear and gloom (this may be the dimmest series ever filmed—and I felt grimy after each episode), and there is a resistance movement attempting to break free by smuggling films that show alternate realities. While the show really only keeps the basic plot of Dick’s book, the drama and mystery are there in full force.
Alternate history is appealing because it’s rooted in real events. These books stand out from the rest of the dystopian genre or alternate-world books because there is a specific point of divergence—a moment in time when the fate of the world changed, which is different than a time-travel story or a skewed version of reality. These novels appeal to readers who like sf and fantasy, history, and people who just enjoy speculating “what if?” After all, it’s fascinating to wonder how things might look today had major events gone a different way—especially in light of our current political theater. To that end, entice your patrons with a display of these alternate-history titles.
11/22/63, by Stephen King
A schoolteacher accepts a mission: prevent the assassination of JFK.
The Alteration, by Kingsley Amis
In this one, Catholicism dominates Great Britain and The Reformation never took place.
Fatherland, by Robert Harris
As in Dick’s novel, the Nazis won WWII.
How Few Remain, by Harry Turtledove
What if the South won the Civil War?
The Plot Against America, by Philip Roth
Hitler and Nazis are alternate-history evergreens. In Roth’s novel, Charles Lindbergh is the U.S. President and makes nice with Der Führer.
Ruled Britannia, by Harry Turtledove
Turtledove has a knack for this kind of thing: here, the Spanish Armada was successful and England is under Spanish control.
Voyage, by Stephen Baxter
JFK survives the assassination attempt and goes on to champion mass space exploration.
The Years of Rice and Salt, by Kim Stanley Robinson
The Black Plague has killed 99% of Europe’s population, changing the global balance of power in startling ways.
The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, by Michael Chabon
Alternate history based on an obscure historical fact: Alaska, not Israel, is the post-WWII homeland for the Jews.
About the Author: Rebecca Vnuk
Rebecca Vnuk is the Executive Director of LibraryReads. She was formerly the Editor, Reference and Collection Management, for Booklist Publications.Subscribe
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So many of these have passed through my radar, but I hadn’t stopped to check them out. Thanks for this!
I’m going to suggest you add FARTHING by Jo Walton to this list posthaste! I think Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series could also make a case, but I can’t tell if I’m suggesting it because it fits or because I think everyone should read it….
And check out Stephen Fry’s 1998 novel “Making History” to experience a darkly humorous examination of what would have happened if Hitler had never been born. Paperback publication 2014.
FATHERLAND and YIDDISH are good choices to fit with MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE. They both match the post-war setting.
FATHERLAND was neat because it talks about the Nazi’s architectural plans for Berlin. The MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE showed the CGI versions of those plans for the Berlin scenes.
I love these suggestions, folks! Keep ’em coming!!
What a great list! I was going to do a post somewhat similar about readalikes for this great show, but now I don’t need to 🙂 Timely and useful!
I kind of feel bad for mentioning my own two books, and I hope it is okay, but you love TMITHC (which I loved when I read it back when I was a kid) you might enjoy The Darkest Hour, and The British Lion, written by my good self.
Both books have been nominated for the Sidewinder Alternative History prize, and the Wall Street Journal called The Darkest Hour “a memorable novel…” which pretty much made my year!
Thanks for reading!
Tony Schumacher