“A man who is good for anything ought not to calculate the chance of living or dying; he ought only to consider whether in doing anything he is doing right or wrong—acting the part of a good man or of a bad.” - The Apology of Socrates by Plato




This short novel, which was written with the intention of being adapted for the theatre (and indeed, there was a movie version), tells a captivating story. It's about the resistance of a small town against an invading force. You can easily substitute "Norway" for the small town and "Germany" for the invading force as needed, and there's no need to go into detail about who the "Leader" is. Steinbeck's tale is filled with such self-righteous passion and vigor that it was secretly printed and circulated by many of the European underground resistance movements during WWII.




“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.”

In this short romance, there are several interesting aspects. Firstly, there is the idea of a conquest being made by young and dynamic individuals who think they can bring people who have settled in the minds of the young and dynamic soldiers into much better conditions. However, this idea sometimes clashes with the reality as seen through the eyes of an old soldier who has witnessed the destruction of war.

Secondly, it shows the psychological pressure that the people of a small town, which is said to be the victim side, exert on each other. This adds another layer of complexity to the story.

Finally, it effectively portrays how a person can do things that are considered 'never done' when the conditions are in their favor. This aspect of human nature is explored in an engaging way, making the short romance a thought-provoking read.

The book "The Secret Month" may have an impact on understanding resistance. The resistances and resistance movements that took shape in Europe during World War II saw people from every group and class, such as workers, teachers, doctors, and nurses, with different views coming together and uniting against the occupiers. They began to carry out sabotage on railways, in espionage, at ports, on roads, in mines, and everywhere else possible.

The book briefly describes how peaceful and peace-loving people turned into partisans, saboteurs, and wreckers. On the other hand, it also expresses the shaken spirit of the soldiers and officers of the occupiers, showing how the two sides of the war gradually became enemies of each other and killing and being killed became a common thing.

Another point that Estienne Beck mentions is that there is no single leadership in democratic societies. While totalitarian countries gather around one person like a leader or a dictator, and if he is not there, the fate of the country will be different. However, in democratic countries, there is no key individual, and there is no leadership either. The author beautifully expresses this point through the words of the mayor of the city:

We are a free people. We have leaders and commanders according to our population, and in times of need, we rely on real leaders like mushrooms.

“Alle dieci e quarantacinque tutto era finito.” This is how Steinbeck begins to tell of an invasion that is more psychological than physical, of a war that is not seen but is perceived in the consciences, through fear, glances, and flashes in the night. This idea of a war without war reminds me a lot of “The Silence of the Sea” by Vercors, a small text of rare beauty. There it was only silence. Here the dialogues are only quick, of few words, short and incisive phrases that tell us of a world that rebels in the face of death. “We are all doomed to death and so if death must come it is better to do it as free men, with courage and head held high. There is no other escape.” This is the thought of the inhabitants of the occupied village. A clear act, like a statement of intent, gives the start to what is a silent resistance that slowly poisons the invader.

“Tu farai del popolo un uomo solo.” And that poison becomes fear, hate, the desire to become a man again and no longer a soldier and it undermines them. The people bend but do not fall.

“The peoples do not like to be conquered and for this they will not be. Free men cannot start a war, but once it has begun they can continue to fight in defeat.” The sun is setting when Socrates says: “Crito I owe a rooster to Asclepius, you will remember to pay the debt?” Asclepius is the god of healing. Socrates is going to meet death with his head held high, proud of his thought. He is in debt to the god because not even death conquers his spirit which remains firm, healed.

The moon has set when Socrates dies. A dense, intense reading. A Steinbeck of a level that leads the reader to question the common conscience, the spirit, and freedom. A lesson from the conquered to the conqueror. From the weak to the strong.

A book with the theme of the savagery and futility of war.

A conquered city by German soldiers.

A city with peaceful and peace-loving people who had never felt oppression and subjugation.

The Germans do not appear as invincible, nor do they feel satisfaction for the place they have conquered.

On the contrary, they desire that the war will end and they can return to their homes.

It is a pure psychological portrayal by Steinbeck.

A novel with an anti-war message.

This book vividly depicts the harsh reality of war and the complex emotions of the people involved. It makes readers think deeply about the meaning and value of war. Through the description of the conquered city and the German soldiers, we can see the destruction and pain brought by war. At the same time, the desire of the German soldiers to end the war and return home also reflects the common aspiration of human beings for peace. Overall, this is a very thought-provoking and meaningful novel.

Trumpet of the Swan was published in 1942. The story takes place during World War II in a small occupied town-port in a northern European country, presumably Norway.

The book has received very controversial reviews. Some critics accused the author of not understanding anything about the war and what was happening in the occupied territories at that time, and also ridiculed the book for its naivety and blatant propaganda. Others were delighted with the novel, written on such a relevant topic for that era. During the war, this book was translated into many languages of the northern European countries, published and secretly distributed in those countries.

If this was a propaganda work, it was one of the most stylish. Well, after all, Steinbeck is Steinbeck.

This story had a special charm for me. The examination of both sides of the conflict - that is, the conquerors who have now settled in a city on one hand and the natives who have become dependent on these new masters for the most basic aspects of their lives on the other - has given a special beauty to the narration of this story. Even more charming is the gradual development of enmity and hatred between the conqueror and the conquered - a journey that begins with mutual admiration and ends with enmity and rejection. The choice of the geographical location has also been wise; the use of the element of snow - and its coldness, harshness, and secrecy - is one of the most memorable and repetitive images of the seasons in this book.

It is true that the end of the story is actually the beginning of the escalation of the enmity between the conqueror and the conquered, but this expanding journey of hatred and alienation is far more important than the possible ways in which this enmity will be manifested in the subsequent stages - which the story does not speak of.

This short but powerful novel is a heartwarming reminder of the power of will and resistance against injustice, without shouting slogans. Steinbeck beautifully shows that being a hero is not always loud and showy; sometimes, in silence, in simple and human decisions, people become heroes.

The story's setting is intimate and palpable, the characters are believable, and the sense of empathy it creates keeps the reader engaged until the end. What吸引 me the most was that although the book is about war and occupation, it is full of light and hope. Like a ray of light shining through a dark moon.

From the text of the book:
Death was flying around in the air, asking questions and waiting for answers.

From the text of the book:
There was a shrewd person in the eyes of the people, a person hidden beneath the surface.

It was excellent. The translation was also good. However, I think it would be great if they did a translation of it today as well. I don't know if it has been translated again or not.

I really appreciate the quality of the original work and the initial translation. It shows a high level of skill and attention to detail.

But with the passage of time, language usage and understanding may change, so a new translation could potentially offer a fresh perspective and make the content even more accessible and relevant.

Whether or not a new translation is done, the importance of the original work and its translation cannot be underestimated. They both contribute to the dissemination and preservation of knowledge and ideas.

A small and engaging book. The author has managed to describe, in a short narrative, the resistance and struggle of the people whose land has been occupied by invaders. At first, the people were in a state of shock due to the occupation of their city, but as time passed, the spark of anger in their eyes replaced that shock. Finally, with sacrifice and taking steps in their struggle, they became martyrs for freedom. The most touching point for me was that the author, with a special delicacy and wisdom, pointed out the transformation of the people within the framework. Despite the initial lack of resistance and quick surrender, their essence and free spirit pushed them towards struggle and resistance. Steinbeck described the scene of the battle and the confrontation between the invaders and the occupied so beautifully: "The people do not like to be defeated and they will not be defeated. The free people do not start a war, but once it starts, they never lay down their arms, even when they are defeated. This does not come from the human groups that all follow one leader. This is why human groups are victorious in operations and free people in battles. You will see that it is nothing else, sir." Or in another place, in the eternal confrontation and the failure to reach a peace and tranquility between the two groups of invaders and occupied, one of the citizens says: "This is war. We must all be pulled, otherwise, when the time comes, we will all pull you." The author's art has been to show that to write an anti-war work and to inspire the spirit of resistance and struggle, it is not necessary to write something so complicated. Even in a short work, it can be as effective as the sentence that the audience cannot forget from their mind: that no matter how powerful and equipped the invaders are, they will never be able to break the spirit of the people.

Free men cannot prevent a war, but when war comes they can fight and they fight even after being defeated. On the other hand, slave men, the men of the flock, cannot do this. So it is always the men of the flock who win the battles and the free men who win the war.

No Moon Night was published in the United States in 1942 and translated into several languages of the countries occupied by the Nazis, where it circulated clandestinely.

A European city is occupied by an army of a country that is at war with England and Russia. The officers of the general staff install themselves in the President's house and pretend that he can obtain the collaboration of the people.

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Nobel Prize in Literature 1962

John Steinbeck was born in the United States of America on February 27, 1902 and died in the United States of America on December 20, 1968.

John Steinbeck's works often explore themes of social justice, the human condition, and the struggles of the working class. His writing style is known for its vivid descriptions and powerful characterizations. No Moon Night is just one example of his thought-provoking and engaging literature. The story of a city under occupation and the choices made by its people is a timeless one that still resonates today. Steinbeck's ability to bring these characters and their experiences to life makes his work a must-read for anyone interested in literature and history.

The book is about people and war. After a small town was attacked, all of its people were transformed into leaders to drive the invaders out of their town.

Structurally, it didn't have much appeal, and in terms of the story, it was only mediocre, so to speak.

However, despite its flaws, the book still managed to convey some important messages about the human spirit in the face of adversity.

It showed how ordinary people can rise to the occasion and become heroes when their town and way of life are threatened.

Additionally, the book explored the themes of courage, sacrifice, and the importance of unity in times of war.

Overall, while the book may not have been a literary masterpiece, it was still an interesting read that offered some valuable insights into the human experience during war.