A small coastal town is occupied by an invading army. Taken by surprise and offering little resistance, the town residents and their mayor become angry and confused.

Colonel Lanser, the head of the invading battalion, along with his staff, establishes his headquarters in the house of Mayor Orden. The Colonel, a veteran of many wars, tries to keep order and civility between the townspeople and the occupying soldiers, cooperating himself with the mayor.

However, he discovers that behind the veil of a simple and peaceful people, resistance is brewing.

Steinbeck portrays no winners in war, only victims. As the story progresses, the tables turn and the reader begins to realize that the soldiers have become the captives, losing their freedom as at first their captors lost their freedom.

After the invasion, not much happens in the little town except for small changes. The pace was sometimes ponderous.

Promoted as anti-German propaganda, this book was circulated illegally during World War II to inspire the Resistance. Although a less well-known work of Steinbeck's, The Moon Is Down was popular during its time and remains a powerful story about war and resistance.

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Created May 29, 2013 at 11:04pm • Submit your own review...