Rating: 
Summary: Disagree with characterization in review by "a reader"
Review: First of all, this is a great book, and I hope you can find some time to read it.
I vehemently disagree with the characterization of Mayor Orden in the review made by the anonymous reviewer, "a reader."
In this review, Mayor Orden is characterized as a coward. The reader contends that Mayor Orden did nothing to help either side and his final decisions were made for himself. Then the reader goes on espousing the virtues of democracy, informing us that democratic rulers carry on the will of the people. Well, perhaps "a reader" needed to read this book more carefully.
Mayor Orden gives his life for democracy. He says in the beginning of the book that he, as mayor, IS the people. That is, he is the WILL of the people. His self-sacrifice serves as an example to his constituency; he's telling them in the good old American-Steinbeck tradition to resist totalitarianism, even if it means death. He knows his death will provide another martyr for the resistance, thus undermining the Nazis. He knows that the will of the people is resistance. He would only betray them if he had chosen to save himself and try to impose the will of the Nazi Colonel on the town.
In short, Mayor Orden = Nathan Hale. I hope people actually read these books before they review them. There are some items in the aforementioned review that make me question whether or not we read the same book.
Rating:
Summary: Not revised for American audiences
Review: I just finished reading the little 90 page novel, "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck. Written in 1942 about an unnamed Scandinavian country that is occupied by the Nazis, it is testimony to the un-conquerability of free men and women, and the terrible price paid in the souls of the occupying forces. The parralels with the present US occupation of Iraq are profound. It should be required reading for all Americans .. I'm thinking of sending a copy to Paul Bremer.
Rating:
Summary: Reading "The Moon is Down"
Review: In 1941, John Steinbeck met with officials of the Foreign Information Service in Washington D.C. to discuss writing a book to assist American propaganda efforts during WW II. He initially prepared a draft of a play centering upon German occupation of a town in the United States. This setting did not meet with approval from the Foreign Information Service, and Steinbeck revised his work. He wrote a short novel set in a small town in an unnamed Scandanavian country which had been subjected to German invasion and occupation. The resulting book "The Moon is Down" was published in 1942. It was transformed into a play and opened on Broadway later that year. A film version of the book appeared in 1943; and, in 1946, Steinbeck was awarded the King Haakon Liberty Cross from Norway for this novel.
Today, "The Moon is Down" is less well-known that some of Steinbeck's other works, but it bears comparison with his best.
The story moves quickly, the characterizations are effective, and the story rises to make eloquently its timeless point about the nature of human liberty.
The story opens when the Germans invade by sea a small village to exploit its coal resources in the war effort. For a short novel, the story presents a variety of characters and each of them is individually developed. These include the German commander, Colonel Lanser, a man of education and culture, swift to obey all orders but who has serious inner doubts about Germany's war effort and aims. We also meet several members of Colonel Lanser's Officer Corps, some of whom are full of themselves and of military ambition, while others are lonely and feel the greatest need for the companionship of a woman.
The book also includes good characterizations of the townspeople. Among others, the reader meets Corell, the local who collaborates with the Germans and facilitates the invasion, the mayor of the town, Mayor Orden, his friend, Dr Winter, and a woman of indominitable spirit, Molly, whose husband has been shot by the invaders. The book shows the conflict and enmity that develops between the invaders and the invaded as the Germans resort to ever-harsher methods to secure the coal and the townspeople stiffen their resistance in defense of freedom. For all that Steinbeck recognizes the common humanity of all the characters in his story, the book is a ringing affirmation of freedom and of the human spirit. The work is far more than a simple propaganda effort.
The book makes emphatic use of products of human creativity and thought in emphasizing the value of human freedom. The climactic scene of the book includes a lengthy discussion of Plato's Apology in which Mayor Orden, Dr. Winter, and Colonel Lanser all participate. Earlier in the book, at another key moment, love poetry by the German author Heinrich Heine plays a crucial role in moving the story forward.
I found "The Moon is Down" much more effective than some of Steinbeck's other short novels which are frequently forced upon young readers. While the book is short and easy to read, it is a work of some complexity and of varied characters. Steinbeck in this work met the aims of the Foreign Information Service; but, more importantly, he produced a work of literature that transcended the goals of the war effort.
Rating:
Summary: "A spark in little men can burst into flame."
Review: In an unnamed country (similar to Norway) during World War II, a German sympathizer lures local men and the town's twelve soldiers into the forest long enough for the Germans to take the town. They occupy the home of the mayor as a sign of their power and commandeer the local coal mine. Mayor Orden has never before been a brave or very forceful man, but he is not a fool, and while he tries to keep order in the town, as the Germans demand, he refuses to use the power of his office to betray the ideals of his people. Soon the locals begin to sabotage everything the Germans can use to prolong the war.The narrative is dramatic, full of conversation and containing minimal description, which gives it the feeling of a simple morality tale. Steinbeck depicts the German soldiers, at first, as almost bumbling--organized, to be sure, but basically human, showing footsoldiers getting homesick, seeking understanding of the orders they must fulfill, complaining about the weather, and wondering if their mail will arrive on time. Gradually, as Berlin exerts more and more pressure to take out the coal, the German occupiers must impose more drastic measures. Local resistance becomes more violent in response: soldiers disappear and are found dead in snowbanks, small explosions blow up rail lines, and the miners have "accidents" which prevent the coal from being removed. Even the arrest of Mayor Orden and Doctor Winter cannot force the citizens to give in to tyranny. Though the novel was published in 1942 expressly for "propaganda" in Europe's occupied countries (where it was quickly translated and disseminated secretly), it is a good story which transcends its original purpose and, as a result, it continues to find an audience. The depiction of the Germans as ordinary but flawed humans--"herd men who win the battles"--rather than as terrifying monsters, makes their defeat seem possible. Depicting the townspeople as resourceful but ordinary--"free men who win the wars"--rather than as heroes, makes their resistance seem a natural, and victory seem possible. Though the characters are shallow, Mayor Orden does grow and change, and his references to Plato's defense of Aristotle in a crucial conversation with Doctor Winter put the relationship of the individual to authority into a wider context. Simple, direct, concise, and humane, this may be the most effective piece of mass propaganda ever written. Mary Whipple
Rating: 
Summary: "A spark in little men can burst into flame."
Review: In an unnamed country (similar to Norway) during World War II, a German sympathizer lures local men and the town's twelve soldiers into the forest long enough for the Germans to take the town. They occupy the home of the mayor as a sign of their power and commandeer the local coal mine. Mayor Orden has never before been a brave or very forceful man, but he is not a fool, and while he tries to keep order in the town, as the Germans demand, he refuses to use the power of his office to betray the ideals of his people. Soon the locals begin to sabotage everything the Germans can use to prolong the war. The narrative is dramatic, full of conversation and containing minimal description, which gives it the feeling of a simple morality tale. Steinbeck depicts the German soldiers, at first, as almost bumbling--organized, to be sure, but basically human, showing footsoldiers getting homesick, seeking understanding of the orders they must fulfill, complaining about the weather, and wondering if their mail will arrive on time. Gradually, as Berlin exerts more and more pressure to take out the coal, the German occupiers must impose more drastic measures. Local resistance becomes more violent in response: soldiers disappear and are found dead in snowbanks, small explosions blow up rail lines, and the miners have "accidents" which prevent the coal from being removed. Even the arrest of Mayor Orden and Doctor Winter cannot force the citizens to give in to tyranny. Though the novel was published in 1942 expressly for "propaganda" in Europe's occupied countries (where it was quickly translated and disseminated secretly), it is a good story which transcends its original purpose and, as a result, it continues to find an audience. The depiction of the Germans as ordinary but flawed humans--"herd men who win the battles"--rather than as terrifying monsters, makes their defeat seem possible. Depicting the townspeople as resourceful but ordinary--"free men who win the wars"--rather than as heroes, makes their resistance seem a natural, and victory seem possible. Though the characters are shallow, Mayor Orden does grow and change, and his references to Plato's defense of Aristotle in a crucial conversation with Doctor Winter put the relationship of the individual to authority into a wider context. Simple, direct, concise, and humane, this may be the most effective piece of mass propaganda ever written. Mary Whipple
Rating:
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.
Rating:
Summary: Life Imitates Art
Review: John Steinbeck is a masterful writer with a keen eye to see divergent perspectives of the world. This book may strike Steinbeck fans as being odd because it is not his typical set of early 20th Century California. Despite this jaunt from his comfort zone, I would go so far as to say this is my second favorite Steinbeck book.
The Moon is Down tells the tale of a Norwegian town conquered by the Nazis. Despite the advantage that the conquering Nazis have, they are never able to gain the love or admiration that they expect from the people. This troubles the Nazi soldiers, particularly when the townspeople begin to retaliate against the Nazis. What immediately strikes me reading this book in 2004 is the book parallels with the situation in Iraq. I am certainly NOT comparing American soldiers to Nazis. The idea that a country does not like foreigners occupying their country, no matter how justified the invaders might be, is true.
The plot eventually digresses into a question of how the Nazis can control the townspeople. The Nazis are less confident of winning the war and only want to survive. As the reader would suspect, the Nazis resort to drastic means.
Steinbeck certainly captures a unique view of war in The Moon is Down. The value of this book in terms of its political and historical commentary makes it a compelling read.
Rating:
Summary: Not just propaganda
Review: Some label The Moon Is Down as propaganda (usually a negative connotation even if its cause is virtuous) and there is an argument to make for that. The novella, about an unnamed European town under Nazi occupation, was written during John Stienbeck's stint as a World War II reporter and was translated into several languages and purposefully spread to areas that might face the dilemma depicted within. Yet Steinbeck is still Steinbeck and even if The Moon Is Down is a propaganda piece, that does not mean it is anything swallow. Among other things, Steinbeck excelled at portraying people in difficult situations with deep psychological and moral insight. That applies to the destitute Okies of The Grapes of Wrath, the wanderers from Of Mice and Men and it certainly applies to the humble townspeople of The Moon Is Down, who must decide between indigent but safe captivity or righteous but bloody resistance. Perhaps the most difficult and most interesting predicament is that of Mayor Orden. Is it is his duty to maintain security and order or to lead his people against the invaders? But what is remarkable about The Moon Is Down (especially considering its status as a propaganda novel) is how well Steinbeck explores the other side, that of the occupiers. Steinbeck refuses to let them be paper bad guys. Instead, he skillfully explores their paranoia that the town will rise-up and kill them and their misery due to everyone around them hating them. The atmosphere of The Moon Is Down is tense and it becomes only a matter of time before the bubble bursts. In the meantime, Stienbeck gets behind his characters' eyes for a deep and powerful portrait of occupation. The Moon is Down may have been written as a propaganda piece, but it is also a lot more.
Rating:
Summary: The Moon Is Down
Review: The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck is a classic novel dealing with the emotional effects of war. Set during World War II, we are introduced to the "conquerers" and the town that has been sieged. A once docile, peaceful people, the villagers are quickly changed into a people full of hatred and malice. The Moon Is Down tells us how war can change people for the good, and for the worse. The townspeople become consumed with rage, and want nothing more than to free themselves by killing their conquerers. The conquerers, who were once strictly militant in every move and thought, become affected by what they have done to the once peaceful villagers, and gain more compassion througout the novel. The Moon Is Down is facepaced, and not long length-wise. Contrary to other Steinbeck works, this book is written almost in "play" style. It moves quickly with much of the story being dialog. It reads increadible fast and is very entertaining, as well as thought provoking. It forced the reader to sympathize with the conquerers and become emotionally attached with both the protagonists and the antagonists. This book forces the reader to delve deaper into their own minds and think more deeply about war, and it's effects on all of humanity.
Rating:
Summary: The flypaper has conquered the flies
Review: This novel is a stab at how naive the military and political mind is in its belief that force can conquer all. Of course, it is impossible to read this without thinking of the conflict in Iraq. Set during World War II, but applicable today (and in the future), it is the story of how the conquerers, who often believe the conquered will throw flowers at them, instead find themselves the unending object of hate and guerilla warfare. And no matter how many people they shoot, the guerillas continue. As Ezra Pound commented, "The artist is the antenna of the race." Indeed, that comment applies to this novel.
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