The Moon Is Down

Rating:
Summary: Well worth my time
Review: My teacher gave us an assignment to read something by Hemingway or Steinbeck for an in class writing. I dreaded having to read yet another book for this class and I had already read Old Man and the Sea for school and I didn't enjoy at all. I put the assignment off as usual for a while until I needed a book to read while I was visiting DC for a few days. I happened across the first edition of this book in my Great Uncle's bookcase and thought of it as just an opportunity to do this assignment.

Boy was I wrong. This book is truly something special for the way it makes your feelings mirror that of the characters in the story. At first it was confusing for I had no clue what the setting was or what was exactly going on. I gathered it was Nazis occupying the town from photographs in the book. Now that I look back on it, this feeling of confusion was the same many of the townspeople were feeling.

Gradually confusion turns to frustration and so do yours not only for the oppressed townspeople but for the "flies who conquered the fly paper", the soldiers. Steinbeck truly mastered using tone in this novel to portray the plot as it progressed.

By the end I had a quick feeling of "that's it?" but I came to realize that Steinbeck had accomplished his goals and chose not to drag it on. Instead of making the plot plod on, he wisely finished at a good spot for the end of the story. You wonder what will happen to the characters after the end of the story, showing how in this short novel you really can empathize with all the characters in it, not just "the good guys".

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a well written book.

Rating:
Summary: THE CONQUERED OR THE CONQUERER?
Review: The setting is World War II and in less than an hour a small Norwegian town is captured by the Nazi forces. Peace has been in the hamlet for so long that the Mayor is befuddled as to what is the proper protocol for a city under occupation.

If you believe this is a simple story of naive people then you are just as bad as the Nazi commander who thinks the same. Steinbeck's brilliance has presented us with a complex psychological drama of war. What we have portrayed is a commander who surrenders his common sense and judgement to his far off superiors in controlling the town. He is so sure of his stance even when he sees things are falling apart.

Come to this little hamlet and witness a people whose stubborness won't allow them to be conquered. Feel the alienation of the German soldiers as they become stripped of their humanity and relegated to madness. See those whom you think are naive and stupid rise to the occasion in displaying great courage and leadership.

Steinbeck has done an exceptional job in displaying the horrors and absurdity of the so-called conquered and conquerer. Are the two what they appear to be or are they something more? Find out as the moon slowly comes down.

Rating:
Summary: Encouraging, truthful, and very Isightful...
Review: I starting reading The Moon Is Down with a little skepticism, expecting it to be just another boring history lesson. I have now finished the book, and to say the least I was wrong by 100%. The Moon Is Down was not only exciting, fast paced, an easy read, and fun... but it gave me a whole new outlook on the German armies. It let me see that just because The Leader was such a horrible person, they were still merely humans, simply misdirected. This is a must read for anyone.

Rating:
Summary: A true approch to the life
Review: How can I comment on this book,this is a true masterpiece ,this book deals with reality of minds of people in war. It takes a long time to learn who is wrong,and Steinbeck discloses it so simply ,that it would shatters any men beliefs.The conversation between Orden and col. Lancer,Molly and Lt. Tonder and Dr.Winter and Orden is amazing,it tells you the secret of deep heart of the menkind and so simply.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Commentary and Psychology on War
Review: While the words "Nazi", "Germany", "Hitler", and "Norway" are never mentioned in the novel, it is evident from context that the book deals with the Nazi invasion of Norway. The idea is that Germany's government is so centralized and repressive that they have prevented their people from developing skills like thinking for themselves and leadership. As Mayor Orden (the mayor of the invaded town) says, even if he is shot, a free people will rise to the occasion under a new leader. Because all orders came straight from the top, the Germans did not have this flexibility.

Rating:
Summary: A truly exemplary work
Review: With the Moon is Down, John Steinbeck explores the nature of war and it's effects on the human psyche. It is a brilliant, compelling work of fiction that is so close to reality it will give you chills. The book is written with simple prose that is still very gripping, and it's a book you could easily finish in one sitting due to it's length and the fact that you won't want to put it down.

The basic story is that a group of foreign soldiers, commanded by the mysterious "Leader", takes over a small town in another country (specific names of countries aren't used). The interactions between the characters act as a sort of window to some profound truths about human nature and war. As I said, the story is gripping as well and the characters are very interesting. I personally enjoyed this book a lot more upon the first read than I did The Grapes of Wrath (which is utterly brilliant, but works on a different level). The fact that the book was published during the height of Nazi power only adds to it's impact.

I think Moon is Down is a book that everyone should read. John Steinbeck's work is an inspiration.

Rating:
Summary: A Great War Story
Review: The German soldiers have conquered a Norwegian town. This is the first time anyone has conquered or been conquered in many years. The towns people do not revolt as the soldiers enter their town. They keep to their own business. The troops tell the Mayor, Orden, that they need the coal from the coal mines. Both sides wish to cooperate with each other so that there is not violence. As the town remains under control, individuals begin to act out and revolt. This results in the execution of the rebels. Mayor Orden states the 'the people do not like to be conquered'. The conquerors soon find out that the conquerors can eventually become the conquered. The only way for this to end, is when one side is completely wiped out. Which side will prevail? Who will end up being the conquered? You will get the answer plus more in Steinbeck's THE MOON IS DOWN.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you all very much
Review: Thank you very much for these reviews. They helped me very much in making the right decision and reading this book. Thanks again!

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of human emotion
Review: It is the middle of the war, and the enemy has invaded a small country. In one small town, the occupation begins, and the antagonism with it. The enemy commander would like the town to submit quietly, the enemy troops would like to go home, and the townspeople would like the troops to go home as well. As the occupation continues, the hostility between sides mounts, until finally it manifests itself with tragic results. Steinbeck's examination of the effects of war on both the aggressor and the occupied is possibly the best example of his understanding of human nature. Steinbeck has an instinctive feel for real human emotion and interaction, and he puts it to use here. The growing unrest among the enemy troops, the festering anger and rebellion among the townspeople, and the transformation of simple people into heroes are all portrayed with stunning insight and feeling. This story means as much now as it did during World War II, when it was written, translated, and circulated to every corner of the resistance. It will endure as a triumph of the human spirit over captivity.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing To Shy Away From
Review: Nice story, and a nice execution of the story. Steinbeck's voice is strong and unflinching. But the whole thing hinges on the humanity of the invading soldiers - without that there's no meaning. And we all know about how human most Nazis were in their dealings with conquered people. So we're left with the sad sense of everyone taking their place on the Wheel of Life and playing their roles until death do us part. That is, it might have been more meaningful had the Nazi characters actually broken the mold big-time and translated some of their humanity into concrete actions useful to the populace instead of reverting to form and attempting half-heartedly the few stillborn sympathetic actions they did attempt. Nevertheless, the novel is tight, with Steinbeck not yielding to the temptation of playing out some of the more obvious scenes. You won't be bored and you won't be disappointed.