The Fatihans experienced a slight unease in their hearts. They were afraid that the war would never end and they would never return home and see peace again. They were afraid that one day, because the hatred of the people whose land had been occupied would never subside.

A city and a land where the people lived a normal life suddenly fell under the occupation of foreign forces. The public order and the relations of the city were disrupted at once. All of this was due to the betrayal of the beloved shopkeeper in the city who was a spy for the foreigners and even on the day of the arrival of the occupation forces, he sent the 12 defenders of the city out of the city so that the city would be defenseless against the invaders.

General Lenser, the commander of the occupation forces, with courtesy and dignity, which is more alive than any insulting behavior, occupied the mayor's house.

But the people whose city had been occupied would not accept this situation and this problem started with the killing of one of the soldiers.

On the surface, the story is about a city and its occupiers, but at the heart of the story are the reactions to any form of violence. Foreign forces, protective thoughts, imported cultures, the glorification of violence, and any attempt to impose things that are not in line with the will and nature of the people have nothing to do with the story of the occupation of lands.

In all these conditions, society reacts little by little and surely the one who is left in the end is the nation that, contrary to the current logic, will impose itself and its desires and tastes on the nation.

In the minds of the occupiers, the story is the same as what is in the mind and soul of the current autocratic dictator, that all the nation is our prisoner and must behave and live according to our taste. But they are unaware that sometimes the way to salvation opens up from the sky and the earth to the exiles, just as in this story, salvation comes from the sky.

The story was clever and had a spiritual translation. It was enjoyable and memorable.

The men constantly remembered their home. The invaders gradually became strange to the land they had occupied and made peace with the people. The people also made peace with them. Little by little, a certain unease emerged in the hearts of the conquerors, the fear that the war would never end and they would never return home and see peace again, the fear that one day they would be defeated and hunted like hares in the mountains, because the hatred of the people whose land had been occupied would never subside.

The book really touched me. I don't have much interest in war literature, but this one was dear and touching to me. In my opinion, it was better than the conservative way of this author.

I liked its central dialogue and it showed well the effects that war has on both sides.

Overall, I recommend you read it.

John Steinbeck's short novel tells the story of the Nazi occupation of a small Norwegian town rich in precious coal mines. The style and dialogues are very essential, almost like a theatrical representation, but this does not mean that the book is scant and poor in content. The coexistence between the occupiers and the occupied seems from the very beginning doomed to result in inevitable tensions and dramas. On one hand, the inhabitants do not accept to see their freedom diminished by the foreign usurpers. On the other hand, the soldiers, who were not adequately prepared for such a hostile welcome, must adhere to the orders received, even at the cost of reaping victims among the civilians. But this does not mean that they are not human in their nostalgia for their native land and in their attempt to establish a friendly relationship with the local population.

The character of Mayor Orden is surely the most successful one. At first, he seems almost helpless in the face of the enemy settling in his own house, undecided whether to offer wine or tea to the generals who have taken possession of it. But as the plot unfolds for the reader, he makes it very clear on which side he stands: he chooses to stand with his people, of whom he is the most authoritative representative and who have elected him to protect and defend them. It is with this solemn spirit that the mayor faces his destiny. A politically engaged book that in its simplicity recalls noble ideals of the defense of freedom and the right to resistance.

"You see, sir, nothing can change the situation. You will be defeated and driven out." His voice was soft, subdued. "Peoples do not like to be conquered and for that reason they will not be. Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat. Dictator soldiers, followers of a man, cannot do that, and that is why dictator soldiers are always victorious in battle and free men always win the wars. You will see that it is so, sir."

I didn't think that a basically propagandistic novel (written with that intention and openly) could ever be at the same time a fairytale-like Human Story, with a capital H. Stajnbek, with an enviable restraint (and at times with a divinely lyrical landscape) on one hundred and some odd pages, depicts the occupation of a small, undefined town by a large, undefined occupier (although it is clearly a Nazi shab), perhaps with a bit too "gentle" characters. But it turns out that every serious literary criticism here falls flat, because the history of this novel, its significance, its impact on WWII Europe, speaks of a hundred other novels that otherwise would never have been told, written.

It is truly remarkable how Stajnbek manages to create a world that is both realistic and fantastical. The descriptions of the town and its people are so vivid that one can almost picture them in their minds.

The novel also serves as a reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of remembering those who suffered. It is a powerful piece of literature that should not be overlooked.

Overall, this novel is a must-read for anyone interested in WWII history or literature. It offers a unique perspective on a dark period in human history and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I am well aware that this piece was composed as propaganda during World War II.

It is not difficult to understand why it achieved popularity in Europe at that time.

However, upon reading it, I found it to be overly light-hearted.

The dialogue seemed rather weak and repetitive, which was quite a letdown.

This is especially disappointing considering that I hold Steinbeck in high regard and believe him to be a brilliant writer.

I had expected more depth and substance from his work.

The lackluster nature of this particular piece has made me reevaluate my perception of his body of work to some extent.

Nevertheless, I still recognize his overall talent and the contributions he has made to the literary world.

I hope to discover other works of his that will truly showcase his brilliance and live up to my expectations.

Anelito di libertà

Norway. The Nazi invasion and the insuppressible desire for freedom of a people.

This was written in 1942. It is a small book, a "minor" novel, to be sure, but it is still the novel of a great writer.

And what a writer, my dear sirs!

The story unfolds against the backdrop of the harsh Nazi occupation. It delves into the lives of the Norwegian people, their struggles, their hopes, and their unwavering pursuit of freedom.

Despite the small size of the book, it manages to capture the essence of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The characters are vividly drawn, and their emotions and experiences are palpable.

It is a testament to the power of literature to shed light on the darkest of times and to inspire us with the beauty and strength of the human soul.

Overall, "Anelito di libertà" is a remarkable work that deserves to be read and cherished.

I don't know anything about them, except that they are prisoners and that's exactly what makes me uncomfortable. Their lives are dull, mysterious, empty, and void. If I knew them better, knew their names, knew what kind of lives they have, what they are waiting for, and what kind of pain they have, then my feelings would take shape and perhaps turn into compassion and pity. Now, what I see from this group, I understand human suffering, the preciousness of life, and the cruelty of humans. A military order has made these silent and peaceful people our enemies, and another order could make them our friends. On a table, several people we don't know signed a piece of paper and for many years, massacres and crimes have become the most prominent occupation and goal of our lives. The very crime that all the people in the world condemned and knew it was worthy of the severest punishments, but who is the one who can see these peaceful people with their childlike faces and the hair like Jesus' disciples and not consider killing them a crime? Every sergeant thinks of a soldier, and every teacher thinks of a student as more of an enemy than these. With this description, if these people were free, we would shoot at each other and kill each other.

In the West Front is not a news story by Erich Maria Remarque.

Although I had only read about mice and humans from him, but I was sure that by reading his other works, he would firmly establish a place in my heart and become one of my favorite writers.

Well, this is you and this is Jean Steinbeck. The one who knows how to write a story and express the spirit of his character. The one who doesn't overlook the description of nature and simple details and in my opinion, can come up with the best endings.

This time he took me to the heart of a war-torn land. A place where until this incident happened to me, its people were free and had no concept of war and bloodshed. And it gently shows you how that land, those kind and simple people, and that life that was in progress come under the influence of the occupiers. The enemies who think their oppression is justifiable and the power they have can have the power of suppression and command and prohibition. Of course, they have it! But not always.

And well, as usual, this story also didn't leave my mind. A history that repeats itself and every time we think this time it's different from the previous times. Although in my opinion, there is no difference. Only the names change.

This book somewhat reminded me of the short story The Man Who Laughs by Dostoyevsky. And to some extent, the book In the West Front is not a news story. Because in both of these, we are witnesses to how the world of the occupiers and the imprisoned people are similar to each other :)

It had the same volume as the previous book I read from him and could be read quickly. In my opinion, if it is read in this era, its bitterness is much less than what we feel and some parts of it were even considered funny to me!

I was also a bit annoyed about the translation. Especially the tenses that the translator had chosen.

Another point didn't catch my eye.

Just that while reading it, my heart wanted to write one of these days when we are soft-handed and tender-hearted. So that foreigners, by reading it, would say under their breath: How can this be real? We put these in the category of science fiction!

I don't know where to start describing this book.

Let me talk about its beautiful descriptions. When reading them, it feels as if you are accompanying the mayor and watching the snow.

Or let me talk about the people who once had a life of freedom and ease, but one day everything changed and they were enslaved in their own country.

This book was so touching, understandable, and of course, realistic that if I want to express my feelings about it, words are not enough.

And yes, I will definitely go to other works of this author because it has found a special place in my heart.

■Gentlemen, people do not like to suffer defeat, and they will not suffer defeat. Free people do not start a war, but once it starts. They will never lay down their weapons, even when they suffer defeat. This is not the case with human flowers, all of which are leaders. That's why human flowers succeed in operations and free people in battles. You will see that this is not the case. Sir...

■People are time-conscious, and their time is almost up. They think that since they are leaders and have a head. We are also like them. They know that if ten of their leaders go ahead, they will succeed. But we are a free people and have a leader according to our population, and in case of need, leadership will emerge among us like mushrooms.

Fear is a powerful emotion that can have a profound impact on people. In this story, fear crept in on the men in their billets, making them sad, and it also crept into the patrols, making them cruel. This description vividly portrays the dehumanizing effects of war.

Sometimes, a story and an author come together in a perfect match. That's exactly how I feel about this particular story. It delves into the themes of war, occupation, and brutality, yet Steinbeck manages to show us the humanity on both sides. Despite being used as propaganda, it doesn't feel one-sided or simplistic. Instead, it feels expanded and fair, presenting a more nuanced view of the situation.

In 1941, Steinbeck volunteered with the then CIA and came into contact with refugees from Nazi invasions, including those from Norway, Denmark, and France. This experience inspired him to write this story, which is set in an unnamed country similar to theirs. Published in the US in 1942, some critics thought it was too lenient towards the bad guys, which hurt Steinbeck's reputation. However, it was popular abroad, being translated and passed around in occupied Europe.

I believe this story is brilliant. It's quintessentially Steinbeck, showing people in all their human complexity, living out their destinies. As he so aptly put it, "It's people against people, not idea against idea." This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the essence of the story and serves as a reminder that in times of conflict, it's important to see the humanity in everyone.

Jul 15, 8:15 pm

During World War II, the German Army occupied Norway, a country that had declared itself neutral. This book by Steinbeck offers his interpretation of events that might have unfolded in one Norwegian town, starting from the moment of invasion.

The back cover description is truly remarkable: "In a masterful tale of the effects of invasion on both conqueror and conquered, John Steinbeck delves into the motivations and emotions of a German commander who is 'only following orders', and paints a devastatingly accurate portrait of a Norwegian traitor. He brings brilliantly to life the patriotic fervor of the men and women of the Norwegian underground who refused to let their spirit die."

In a sense, this book serves as a master class on how one should behave if a similar situation were to occur in one's own town.

As Mayor Orden reminds the German officer in charge at one point: "Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat. Herd men, followers of a leader, cannot do that, and so it is always the herd men who win battles and the free men who win wars."

This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of the struggle between freedom and tyranny, and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs in the face of adversity.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, human nature, and the power of the human spirit.

Breve, intenso, and rich in beautiful dialogues, this work is written in a simple language. Despite the theme of war, which might typically require a harsh and violent language, it speaks of war without ever mentioning blood. It has an open ending, as the war was not yet over.

It is a condemnation of war and an exaltation of a people who do not accept the loss of their freedom and fight incessantly, despite the evident disparity of forces in the field.

The true theme of the novel is not war, but rather the emotions that stem from it: freedom, the fear of death, the nostalgia for home, and the need for companionship.

There are some funny situations that make the characters naïve and a bit bizarre, and that draw a smile. For example, the mayor who dresses elegantly to receive the invaders and doesn't know whether to offer wine or coffee; the cook who pours boiling water on the soldiers because they enter the kitchen; and the miner who doesn't want to take orders and rebels with a pickaxe.

"You see, sir, nothing can change the situation. You will be defeated and driven out... People do not like to be conquered and for this reason they will not be."

It is a small book but of great content.

This story, which was published in 1942, served as a significant contribution by Steinbeck to the endeavor of mentally strengthening the countries that were under invasion by Germany during that time.

In a town, within a country that is almost undoubtedly intended to reflect Norway, a conquering invasion force encounters the unwavering resistance of a free people.

The plot is rather foreseeable, as we are aware of how the Nazis operated during the war when faced with resistance. The characters are more like stereotypes than distinct individuals. However, Steinbeck does manage to portray the invaders as mostly human beings rather than monsters. In fact, they are soldiers who are following orders in a situation that they neither comprehend nor can control.

At one moment, one of the soldiers laughs hysterically and remarks, “the flies have conquered the flypaper.” This statement essentially encapsulates the purpose of the story. You might win a battle through sheer force, but the minds and hearts of free people will persist in fighting until they have triumphed in the war.

Fortunately for all of us, Steinbeck was correct.