My take, at least in part, for The Baffler: https://thebaffler.com/latest/winters...

I first read this in one night when I slumped drunk on my friend's girlfriend's couch after a night out at the bars. It was truly a timely read, almost as if it was telepathic. One character actually remarks, regarding the town his troops are occupying, how he is puzzled that there were no flowers or candy thrown at the soldiers who "liberated" them, as everyone had promised they would. I mean, come on, doesn't that blow your mind just a little bit?

This work was written as Allied propaganda during WW2 explicitly at the request of the government, with Steinbeck's full compliance. It was contraband in Italy, where one could be put to death for transmitting it. It was printed on tissue paper to be smuggled through fascist occupation, and the courageous souls who took it upon themselves to get it out to the Allied soldiers narrowly missed death more than once. This, for me, is what literature is all about - writing (and reading!) as if your life depended on it. And it's immensely gratifying to know that for some, it actually did.

It's not necessarily a literary masterpiece, but it is of sufficient quality to be valuable as a piece of art rather than just a simple historical artifact. It's even sympathetic to the Nazi characters! They are portrayed as human beings, not monsters, since that would ironically play into the fascist game. After all, didn't the Nazis attempt to claim that they were superhuman? An overtly propagandistic novel that actually addresses the humanity of the enemy (and we're talking about quite an enemy here) is a mightily impressive and respectable feat, in my opinion. I'm just glad I read it. What it represents, on several levels, is so gratifying and positive that this very minor book should never be forgotten.

Only John Steinbeck can describe an occupied city and an invading army in such a small volume with such completeness and character portrayal. In every other book or film I have read or seen with a war theme, the story is focused on one side of the event and creates a black and white image. But in this book, it is completely different. And in the end, the reader fully understands that:

"He knew that war meant betrayal, hatred, the incompetence of commanders, destruction, killing, disease, and exhaustion, and that was all there was until it finally ended. And then nothing changed except for new hatreds and new exhaustion that replaced the old ones."

Steinbeck's writing allows us to see the true nature of war, not just the glorified or one-sided version that is often presented. His detailed descriptions and characterizations bring the story to life and make us feel as if we are there, experiencing the horrors of war along with the characters. This book is a powerful reminder of the true cost of war and the importance of working towards peace.

Still as good as the first time I read it some 20 years ago. Steinbeck is such an amazing writer who has me quite in his thrall. His words have the power to transport me to another world, a world filled with vivid characters and their complex emotions. The way he describes the landscapes and the people's lives makes me feel as if I am right there, experiencing it all firsthand. It's truly a remarkable piece of literature that has stood the test of time.

More details to come. I can't wait to share with you my further thoughts and insights on this wonderful work. There are so many aspects of it that I want to explore and discuss. Stay tuned!

The soldiers came in winter ahead of time. As my father always said, "War brings bad weather, or bad weather brings war... I don't remember what he used to say anymore."

There was a meeting with the famous American writer John Steinbeck and his short story In the Moon's Shadow, which sheds light on the time of war and occupation but from a different kind of angle... far from the fighting and the hot fronts.

"The people don't like to invade, sir, and thus the invader won't last. If the free men don't start a war, but when it starts, they will continue the struggle even if surrounded by defeat. The cutthroats are the ones who follow a leader, and they can't do this, and thus you will find that the cutthroats always win the battle, but the free men always win the war. It will be shown that the truth is what I say."

In the Name of Him

After reading several books by Steinbeck, I can say with certainty that among the greats of American literature, Steinbeck is the most unique writer. In this regard, his stories are extremely touching, and in some cases, you might think you are facing a classic story.

I read "The Grapes of Wrath" with the translation of Sharzad Beiat Mohammadi. It was a good translation and one of the best war stories I have read to this day. Steinbeck's works are not only literary masterpieces but also a reflection of the social and historical context of his time. Through his vivid descriptions and complex characters, he allows readers to experience the hardships and struggles of the people. His writing style is simple yet powerful, making his stories accessible to a wide range of readers. Overall, Steinbeck is a writer who has made a significant contribution to the world of literature, and his works will continue to be read and studied for generations to come.

Steinbeck's story presents a vivid picture of a town under occupation. The blackness and sullenness that hang over the town are palpable, symbolizing the oppression and growing hatred. The German invaders, unnamed but clearly understood, initially try to be convivial, but the townspeople's refusal to be conquered leads to a breakdown. The story shows the human side of both the enemy and the invaded, as we witness how they cope with the situation. The soldiers, who start as triumphant invaders, gradually unravel and become fearful and ruthless occupiers. The quote "It is always the herd men who win battles and the free men who win wars" emphasizes the importance of resistance and freedom. Steinbeck's work, although it may have been seen as propaganda at the time, was meant to boost morale and encourage those being subjected to invading forces. It serves as a reminder of the power of the human spirit in the face of oppression.

I am a little man and this is a little town, but there must be a spark in little men that can burst into flame.

John Steinbeck has always been a strong advocate for the spirit of survival in the face of great opposition. His novels often deal with themes such as worker's strikes, families struggling to survive the Depression, and the survival of morality in a society that values profits over people. In his short 1942 novel, The Moon is Down, which was written to be adapted for the stage, Steinbeck turns his attention to the battle for democracy in the face of looming totalitarianism.

The story, set in a nameless Norwegian town, concerns the invasion of Norway by the Nazis and the growing resistance of the townspeople. The irony is that the conquerors demand "civility" while oppressing the townsfolk and tone policing them for active resistance, all the while self-condoning public executions of freedom fighters. Despite its brevity, this is a powerful book that allows Steinbeck to explore his familiar themes in a fresh setting.

The novel is set in a Norwegian coastal town of military importance due to its shipping port. The small cast of characters includes the "conquerors" who take up residence in the mayor's palace and the "conquered" who become increasingly agitated in their attempt to drive back the invaders. The story was adapted into a stage play for which Steinbeck was awarded the King Haakon VII Freedom Cross in Norway. It is easy to see how this story was aimed at the theater, as it is dialogue-driven and mostly consists of people coming and going from the same room, with only two major scene changes.

The Nazis try to establish an impression of cooperation with the town, setting up in Mayor Orden's home and attempting to use him to control the populace. However, when an act of resistance results in the death of an officer, the Nazi troops decide to execute a townsperson as a show of strength. This leads to the townspeople organizing in a slow, silent, waiting revenge, which makes the conquerors uneasy. The story also features characters such as the local storekeeper who works as a spy for the enemy, modeled after Vidkun Quisling.

Steinbeck's story ultimately becomes a tale about sacrifice and the icons we build to inspire others. The enemy soldiers attempt to control and create "order," but their presence and invasion have actually disrupted the order. The palace in which they reside is meant to be a symbol of dominance and peacekeeping, but as the novel progresses, we see it deteriorating, a sign of their inner rot. On the other hand, the resistance lights a fire in the hearts of the people, even in the face of their own deaths.

The Moon is Down is a quick read with a big impact. It captures all the classic Steinbeck elements and feels grand and epic, showing the power of good over evil, represented here as democracy over fascism. It is a book that I would love to see as a play and one that Steinbeck fans will surely enjoy.

3.75/5

You're a citizen in a small Scandinavian village that's been brutally occupied by Nazis. The once-thriving community now lies in ruins, with morale at an all-time low. Tensions are sky-high as the villagers live in constant fear. Food is becoming increasingly scarce, making survival a daily struggle. The resistance, once full of hope, now seems close to futile. The long, lonely winter has set in, exacerbating the already dire situation. You witness the effects that this unforgiving winter has on your occupiers as well.

You're a Nazi soldier who has forcefully occupied a small Scandinavian mining village. With a cruel volley of machine-gun fire, you quickly squashed the initial, albeit small, resistance. You've made your presence and authority felt throughout the town, believing you're firmly in control. However, as the winter drags on in this isolated place, you find your mind starting to slip a little. The loneliness and the harsh conditions begin to take their toll.

You're the mayor of the occupied village, and your unwavering allegiance is to the people. You bravely lead the resistance, but every death of a villager weighs heavily on your heart. You know that something drastic must be done to save your community from this nightmare.

You're the commanding officer of the Nazi occupiers. In your eyes, these people are the enemy, and you're determined to use all the necessary force to complete the task you've been sent here to do. But you can't help but notice that your men are starting to crack under the pressure. If only they could hold it together.

Who else besides the great John Ernst Steinbeck could write such beautiful propaganda?

This was a truly fascinating and rather excellent novella.

It delved into the events that unfolded when a Nazi force invaded and seized control with little resistance over an unnamed coastal European town.

The story traced the happenings for several months following the takeover and reached a climax with an ending that, like other fictional accounts penned during WWII, left the impression that the story endured.

The most captivating aspect was that, aside from the opening scene featuring the Mayor and his doctor friend/advisor, the initial 60% of the story centered on the invading Nazis through the interactions of the 6 senior officers who had set up headquarters in the Mayor’s residence.

This offered an intriguing perspective as the Nazis had captured the town primarily to extract coal from the nearby coal mine.

The 6 officers had diverse attitudes towards the citizenry. Some were engineers and less militarily inclined. Their views differed on how to treat the townspeople.

The Colonel in charge favored a more cooperative rather than brutal approach, believing it was best to maximize the occupation’s objective of obtaining as much coal as possible from the mines.

A young lieutenant, on the other hand, had more of a prison camp warden mentality. This internal conflict in approach was engaging and created a pervasive dynamic tension.

At the 60% mark, the story redirected its focus to the townspeople as several of them discussed and decided on the level of resistance they would mount.

Finally, the story arrived at a final climactic scene that provided answers to both the Nazis’ chosen approach to the citizenry and the citizens’ chosen approach to the Nazis.

The story’s pace was quite brisk, transitioning from scene to scene with minimal yet well-written narrative passages.

This novella was written much like a play, consisting predominantly of dialogue. It also had its major climactic actions occurring off-screen and described only in the dialogue, similar to many plays from Shakespeare to Chekhov.

Since Steinbeck himself ended up writing the stage adaptation, his choice not to burden any future play version with hard-to-stage scenes was understandable.

This was a well-written, engaging novella from WWII that told an important, timely, and inspiring story that still reverberates today. I thoroughly enjoyed it and rate it as 4 stars.

Unlike the majority of Steinbeck's depression era masterpieces, "The Moon is Down" stands out as a war story.

It is told through short and effectual dialogue, rather than his typical languid descriptive passages.

While I personally found it to be a less enjoyable read compared to his other novels and short stories, it cannot be denied that it served its ultimate purpose.

During the war, it was used as a propaganda and intelligence tool for the occupied peoples.

The passage quoted here captures perfectly the oppression, desperation, and hopelessness of occupation during war time.

The dog's complaint about the cold and loneliness in the village is a powerful metaphor for the suffering of the people.

The soldiers' callous attitude towards the dog further emphasizes the dehumanizing effects of war.

Overall, "The Moon is Down" may not be Steinbeck's greatest work, but it is an important one that offers a unique perspective on the horrors of war.

This was a quick little piece of agitprop from one of my favorite authors.

It is short and reads very much like a play, seemingly by design, and it has an interesting history.

However, I wasn't overly invested until the very end.

The simple reminder that "herd men" win battles but independent-minded people win wars is a useful and hopeful one to bear in mind.

This statement makes us think about the importance of individuality and independent thinking.

In a battle, following the crowd might lead to a certain outcome. But when it comes to winning a war, it requires the courage and innovation of those who can think for themselves.

It encourages us to not be afraid to stand out and have our own ideas, as these are the qualities that can make a real difference in the long run.

Overall, this short piece of agitprop holds a powerful message that is worth reflecting on.

Read this beautiful book!

It is truly a remarkable piece of literature that will captivate your heart and mind.

The story within its pages unfolds in the most enchanting way, taking you on a journey filled with emotions and adventures.

The author's writing style is so engaging that you will find yourself completely immersed in the book from the very first page.

Every character is well-developed and brings a unique charm to the narrative.

The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to discover what happens next.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story and wants to be transported to another world.

I highly recommend it and give it a perfect 5/5 rating!