MovieChat Forums > The Man in the High Castle (2015) Discussion > "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis

"It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis

posted 8 years ago by serfs_up
3 replies | jump to latest

For those who have read the above: does anyone else think that that novel might have lent itself better to a tv series adaptation? High Castle was a decent book but the universe of Lewis's novel was just as expansive, the characters better fleshed out, and the plot more 'whole,' (imo obviously).

Perhaps they should have combined the better elements of each? Or maybe it could have worked as a sort of prequel to the events in High Castle. Has anyone read it or both books? What do you all think?

And it goes without saying, those who enjoy The Man in the High Castle would likely enjoy It Can't Happen Here. Think of it as a pre-1984.

[–] Blu765 8 years ago

I'll have to find a copy of "It can Happen Here" and give it a read. Thanks.

As for "the characters better fleshed out, and the plot more 'whole' ", the TV show is pretty much so different from the Phillip K. Dick book (other than the basic idea and a few of the character names/character set-ups), that I don't think it really matters how the book fleshed out those characters and the plot. The TV show seems to be doing its own thing, so they can flesh it out however they want.

[–] serfs_up 8 years ago

I don't think it really matters how the book fleshed out those characters and the plot. The TV show seems to be doing its own thing, so they can flesh it out however they want.

I was comparing novels in that instance but the direction they've taken the series could have essentially been lifted from parts of Lewis's book without as much deviation from the original source material.

[–] ehaas-3 8 years ago

I've been meaning to read it and it's likely it would become another favorite.

There are a bunch of alternative history books I'd like to read. Not so much the ones that focus on the fighting itself, but the aftermath; the new society that comes about and how people adapt.