Not the most thrilling read, but it is quick and easy prose to enjoy.

My son's 9th grade English teacher assigned this book, and I was lucky enough to be able to read along with him, chapter by chapter. This novella may not be a literary masterpiece, but it is insightful and timeless. A small, peaceful European town has been invaded. The novel consists entirely of interaction between the invaders (we assume they are German) and the townspeople. It does not focus on battles or skirmishes, and the violence is represented off-screen or described obliquely. Yet the overriding theme of this book is war.

How does war feel to the conquered? When does peace end? When does resentment turn into resistance? How does war feel to the conquerors? How much oppression is enough to keep a society functioning? Is it right or necessary to want the townspeople to tolerate them? Through the eyes of several compelling main characters the answers to these questions are explored. Steinbeck’s spare writing and ability to capture a character in a few sentences is brilliant. It is fascinating the way different townspeople embody the various ideas of democracy, yet it is just as fascinating the way the soldiers are humanized. They have likes and dislikes, fears and questions. We’re never sympathetic to them and never forget they are the enemy, but we realize they are people, too.

short novella on the heartbreak of wartime occupation. while places and names are often vague, it emulates life in an anonymous small mining town occupied by Germans in WWII. Steinbeck wrote this in 1942 as a propaganda piece in support of those under Nazi occupation. with the constant reminder that free people cannot remain conquered, Steinbeck showcases the great lengths at which this town and its people raise the stakes in a reality of good versus evil and life versus death.

Steins with some occupied territory war-fables.

read all the way back in january but i have been so bad about logging on this thing.

this is quite the read with a really slow yet enveloping pace that really puts you directly in this uneasy transition from freedom to nazi occupation and this book while not overtly graphic or violent is almost more frightening than any other ww2 book i've ever read in its alarmingly unassuming demeanor and the cordial nature of histories most notoriously evil empire.

written about the war, during the war, this shit is about as real as it gets and that's why if found in possession it could cost you your life.

3.5/5 stars

To be endlessly corny, this is my comment on this book: too short, made me feel too much. Fight on.