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Summary: The human side of evil
Review: Consistent with the spirit of all of Steinbeck, *The Moon is Down* flushes out the humanity in not only the perceived good but also the evil, the invaded and the invaders. Steinbeck's soldiers are real humans with real concerns, fighting a war and occupying a town for reasons which at first seem clear, but which become foggier as the novel progresses. As one soldier laments in a fit of hysteria, "The flies have taken over the fly paper!" The final moving scene and the interweaving of *The Trial and Death ofSocrates* leaves the reader with only one conclusion: Steinbeck truly was a genius . . .
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Summary: An awesome book by John Steinbeck
Review: An awesome book written by John Steinbeck that talks about how hard the war is and how the people survived. Mayor Orden plays a major role in this book along with many others. A little town gets taken over by Nazis and no one can do nothing about it. A must read book for all people.
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Summary: Awesome work by Steinbeck
Review: An Awesome book written by John Steinbeck about the war. He writes how people survived and the hard times they had during the war. How the town was occupied by Nazis. Mayor Orden a very courageous mayor. A must read book for all the people.
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Summary: A must read for all!
Review: Steinbeck tells the story of WW II without ever telling the reader where the story takes place and who is fighting. Throughout the masterful novel, Steinbeck weaves the narrative of the Nazis and the common people who are defending their town together. Mayor Orden, the mayor of the occupied town, shows true leadership and is a true hero at the end of the novel. I think I was impressed most of all by Orden. Orden made me realize we should all have as much courage as he did to beat the enemy. Definitely a must read even if war novels don't appeal to you.
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Summary: This Book is Awesome!!!
Review: I enjoyed this book not only as a WWII buff, but also on a whole other level. The people in the book show so much hope in the face of adversity, that every time I read it, I feel renewed and ready to face the world. This book is a must read for anyone!!!!
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Summary: Marvelous
Review: In addition to the marvelous insights into the human spirit and breathtaking prose that Steinbeck gives you, what I really admired abou this book is that the Nazis are portrayed as actual human beings, as opposed to, say, Spielberg's cardboard automatons. They are much, much scarier this way when you think about it.I'd love to see the movie version of this book, done in 1943-ish, but it's no longer in distri- bution. You could be my hero if you could tell me how to somehow find a copy.
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Summary: Absolutely great great descriptions...subtle, yet powerful..
Review: Although the ending was not 'out in the open', i guess it is common sense that carries you along. I thought the opening chapter was a bit slow , but i suppose he(j.s) wanted to ease the reader into the plot and give us a chance to get midly aquainted with the characters 'fore they were killed......i really liked the story and will continue to read his works........
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Summary: Steinbeck uncovers profound, often unsettling truths.
Review: John Steinbeck fully represents a great American author. His novel, "The Moon is Down" was written as a form of propaganda for its time, and Steinbeck uncovers profound, often unsettling truths about war-and about human nature. In every chapter you read, you can find a descriptive image about the town which has been conquered, and the feelings of its people. This book reveals the evil in human nature, and the reaction of a conquered people. A small town has just been taken over and is now Nazi occupied. The troops come in, and immediately the attitude of this once peaceful town, turns into vengeance. The mayor represents the word of the people. He stays office for a in while, however under the influence and control of the Nazi's. The people of the town show no kindness, and much disrespect to the officers, which in turn makes the Nazi's angry. This leads to the death of many innocent lives. There is much loneliness and danger in the town, which results in many citizens trying to escape to England. Some successfully do, and get to the English leaders to ask for help. The English sends planes over, and drops boxes and parachutes filled with bombs and ammunition for the people of the town to use against the Nazi's. This is where the trouble begins, and certain important lives are lost. Steinbeck includes striking images and fine dialogue throughout the entire novel. Every chapter contains a descriptive image of the town adding to the drama. This, for example, found on page 51, "And over the town there hung a blackness that was deeper than the cloud, and over the town there hung a sullenness and a dry, growing hatred." Even when a line is not in context, we can understand the story by Steinbeck's creative and vivid scenes. He flavors his words in such a way, that we can fully capture the mood of a scene, and the meaning of the novel. Steinbeck helps us to understand the war and the people involved in it. A sense of togetherness is exemplified in the people, and the theme of working together is expressed in their attitudes, as they fight to save one anothers lives. What was happening to them was unfair and immoral, however they stuck through it by understanding that a group is so much better than an individual, and caring for others helps make them and you a stronger person.
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Summary: I thought it was great. I love his style of writing.
Review: I thought that it was a great, well written book. I also enjoyed his unique style of writing. I thought the book was very understandable and it made you realize that in this kind of situation, no side really wins. It's kind of, balanced. I know that it was more of a grown up book, and I did need help from my mom with some of the words, but I still thought it was awesome. And I'm thirteen! My teacher told me that I could have fun in this kind of place so here I am. I thought the book was good yet I noticed that on the back of the book it mentioned the conquerers as Nazis. When in the book it never mentions the term, or even comes close. That's all I have to say on this book. If you haven't read it, then I strongly suggests that you do.
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Summary: great!!
Review: I was browsing through the classics one day at the library, looking for something short to do for an English project... I found this book, took it home, and devoured it in one night. So certain I would hate it, I was caught up in it and held fast from the first sentence- unable to put it down. Steinbeck has Shakespeare's gift of being able to see people and portray them as they are- in all their glorious uncertainty. A beautifully written novel!
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