The Moon is down by John Steinback

"The Moon is down" by John Steinback - WWII classic fiction. 

This edition of the book is published by Penguin in 2014 and has 144 pages. This book was first published by Viking Press in March 1942. This book won Norwegian King Haakon VII Freedom Cross.

This book  tells the story of the military occupation of a small fictional town in Northern Europe by the army of an unnamed nation at war with England (much like the occupation of Norway by the Germans during World War II).

Will there be a war? Is there a traitor? Can the occupiers break the spirit of the town? Will there be a resistance to occupation?

This book portrays the war,  occupation,  violence and  resistance. But everything is portrayed subtly. Nothing is overdone. I wondered why the author resisted from adding some action in it, until I realized that it was written for stage adaptation. 

Characters of occupiers Colonel Lanser, Major Hunter, Captain Loft, Lieutenant Prackle etc. are portrayed as occupiers but also as men who have feelings. Characters of occupied Mayor Orden, Dr. Winter, Molly, Annie etc. are peace loving people who are easily conquered but still their spirit is not broken. 

Although there are inferences that suggest that the occupying forces is German, it is never spelt out clearly.

This book had profound impact on the countries occupied by Germany in WWII. It was translated and secretly published all over Europe in various European languages.

It's a slow story with a strong undercurrent. If one reads the book without context one may or may not like it. But if the context is known,  it gives the story a different dimension. Much like Marathi play 'Seemewarun parat ja'.

Why did I read this book? Curiosity.

What I didn't like? Story is on slower side.  

What did I like? Context.

Recommend reading.