John Steinbeck Goes to War
192 pages, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
Paperback
Release Date:26 Feb 2006
ISBN:9780817353285
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John Steinbeck Goes to War

The Moon is Down as Propaganda

University of Alabama Press

In March 1942, a desperate period for the allies in World War II, John Steinbeck published his propaganda novel The Moon is Down­—the story of ruthless invaders who overrun a militarily helpless country.  Throughout the novel, Steinbeck underscored both the fatal weakness of the “invincible” unnamed aggressors and the inherent power of the human values shard by the “conquered” people.

The Moon is Down created an immediate sensation among American literary critics; fierce debate erupted over Steinbeck’s uncommonly sympathetic portrayal of the enemy and the novel’s power as a vehicle for propaganda.  Fifty years later, Coers continues the debate, relying heavily on unpublished letters and personal interviews with the lawyers, book dealers, actors, publishers, and housewives associated with the resistance movements in Western Europe.  Clandestine translations of The Moon Is Down quickly appeared and were widely circulated under the noses of the Gestapo.   Coers documents the fate of Steinbeck’s novel in the hands of World War II resistance fighters and deepens our appreciation of Steinbeck’s unique ability to express the feelings of oppressed peoples.

The freshest and most thorough study of the effects of Steinbeck's mid-career work on foreign audiences. This indexed and annotated text, with a useful bibliography, is a surprising contribution to the reexamination of Steinbeck. Recommended.'
Choice
Coers's careful research, logical organization, and clear presentation suit his purpose well. His study tells a fascinating story filled with colorful and intriguing details, which add to the reader's knowledge of Steinbeck and the Nazi occupation in Europe.'
Modern Fiction Studies
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