John Steinbeck’s The Moon is Down
Description
A small mining village far from enemy lines is about to be thrust into a war of its own.
The day started as any other – with the quaint and quiet that only a small town can offer. The takeover was planned and executed so well that most villagers didn’t realize it had started until it was over, the village was occupied, and an enemy Colonel lived as an unwanted guest in the Mayor’s house.
The people quickly learn that the invaders’ rules are absolute, the soldiers are convinced the people will quietly obey their orders, and only the Colonel and the Mayor come to truly understand the situation.
While the initial takeover was swift with little loss of life, the true battle for the village has only begun.
Disclosure
I personally bought this book. There was no agreement with the author, publisher, or any third party that I would publish a review. The following review is unsolicited, unbiased, and all opinions are my own.
Review – Spoiler Free
I read Steinbeck’s The Moon is Down years ago and loved it, reading it again I love it just as much – in the most heart wrenching way.
I generally enjoy books that are positive and hopeful and, in a weird way, I think that’s why I love The Moon is Down so much. On its surface, it’s a sad story of war, brutality, and oppression, but tucked between the lines and in the heart of the characters is a story of freedom, understanding, and perseverance. A story of hope.
It’s truly the characters that make this book. Steinbeck has written them in such a way that they are a fabulous reflection of human nature with all its nuances and gray areas. Love or hate certain characters, you can feel them for who they are, and understand the decisions they make.
Because the characters and their motives and decisions are highlighted, The Moon is Down shows the stark contrast between someone following orders because it’s what’s done, and someone willing to set orders aside, despite the consequences, for what they feel is right. And the part that really hit me in the gut was a scene where two characters from those opposing standings share a moment of silent understanding.
In the scene, one character is quoting lines from a speech in Plato’s Apology of Socrates, and as parts are forgotten the other character speaks up to help. And for a brief moment, all that is happening to and around them is peeled away and they share a moment of grief and understanding and resignation to their separate fates. Where the reader hopes beyond hope that their fates change, and where I cried my eyes out.
The last line recited from the quote from Plato’s Apology? “If you think that by killing men you can prevent someone from censuring your evil lives, you are mistaken.” A notable line that has me now planning to read Apology.
It’s interesting to note that Steinbeck wrote The Moon is Down to support the Allied war effort in World War II. While the town and the military aggressor in the story are fictional, it’s reflection of a European town under Nazi control is obvious. That said, it doesn’t read as cheesy or too-obvious propaganda, it reads as a story of survival and determination, resistance and morality.
Overall, I really liked Steinbeck’s The Moon is Down. I know I will read it again, and cry to it again. I would recommend The Moon is Down to people who enjoy very character-focused stories, to people who like historical fiction and war stories, and to those who can endure the heart wrenching honest look at morality and motives. I would not recommend it to those who are looking for action or a storybook happy ending.
Quote
The people are confused now. They have lived at peace for so long that they do not quite believe in war. They will learn and then they will not be confused anymore.
Mayor Orden (The Moon is Down, John Steinbeck)
Ratings
- Quality of Writing – 3
- Plot – 4
- World Building – 4
- Characters – 5
- Ease of Reading – 3
- Overall Enjoyment – 5
- Final Rating – 4.0 (Actual: 4.0) – Really Liked It
Want to learn more about the numbers I use for rating, and the qualities I’m thinking about when writing a book review? Check out my post How I Rate and Review.