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wishlissa's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
alli_oopsie's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kcrouth's review against another edition
4.0
The U.S. government commissioned this work from Steinbeck as part of his contribution to the Allied war effort during WW-II. The resulting story paints a compelling picture of the human aspects of occupation in a real and palpable way. Reading this story, one becomes acquainted with both the victor and the conquered. In so doing, the reader finds that the captors are as human as the captives, and as they become part of a merged society together, we see that "It is always the herd men who win battles and the free men who win wars." This story was translated into at least 8 languages during WW-II and copied and distributed throughout the underground resistance to the Nazi occupation of the nations in Europe. The message and inspiration of this story played a significant role in the lives of the occupied peoples of Europe. This is a moving and memorable story, and i'm looking forward to reading it again, to experience it again in a deeper way.
katlizlove's review against another edition
4.0
A short read that expresses human emotion, dignity, and yearning in succinct and understandable way. I love the way Steinbeck writes and this is no different.
annadixon76's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
khorswe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
libellum_aphrodite's review against another edition
2.0
As with other Steinbeck novellas, like [b:The Pearl|5308|The Pearl|John Steinbeck|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437234939s/5308.jpg|195832] and [b:Of Mice and Men|890|Of Mice and Men|John Steinbeck|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437235233s/890.jpg|40283], I found this a morally interesting and historically relevant, yet very boring read.
The seething small town resistance, the despondency and loneliness of the soldiers, and the immortal ideals of freedom and democracy are all excellent topics for exploration, but the characters were all quite flat. The shining exception was the widow Molly Morden, who first gives a lieutenant a huge guilt trip by suggesting she'll have sex with him if he feeds her, and then stabs him to death with a pair of scissors.
The plot clearly draws inspiration from towns like Narvik, a small coastal town in northern Norway with an iron mine which was invaded in WWII. When I visited Narvik recently, I learned much about their WWII resistance in their War Museum, and the museum placards made me care more about the town and its people than this book.
The seething small town resistance, the despondency and loneliness of the soldiers, and the immortal ideals of freedom and democracy are all excellent topics for exploration, but the characters were all quite flat. The shining exception was the widow Molly Morden, who first gives a lieutenant a huge guilt trip by suggesting she'll have sex with him if he feeds her, and then stabs him to death with a pair of scissors.
The plot clearly draws inspiration from towns like Narvik, a small coastal town in northern Norway with an iron mine which was invaded in WWII. When I visited Narvik recently, I learned much about their WWII resistance in their War Museum, and the museum placards made me care more about the town and its people than this book.