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Of Mice and Men & The Moon is Down: Two Plays
Steinbeck's theatrical adaptations of two of his most powerful short novels, now together in one volume
A unique treat for Steinbeck fans, this volume includes two extraordinary plays from a master of American literature. Of Mice and Men is the dramatic adaptation of one of Steinbeck's most widely read and beloved works. Originally published at the height of Nazi Germany's power, The Moon Is Down is a masterful play that uncovers profound, often unsettling truths about war and human nature. It tells the story of a peaceable town taken by enemy troops, and had an extraordinary impact as Allied propaganda in Nazi-occupied Europe.
A unique treat for Steinbeck fans, this volume includes two extraordinary plays from a master of American literature. Of Mice and Men is the dramatic adaptation of one of Steinbeck's most widely read and beloved works. Originally published at the height of Nazi Germany's power, The Moon Is Down is a masterful play that uncovers profound, often unsettling truths about war and human nature. It tells the story of a peaceable town taken by enemy troops, and had an extraordinary impact as Allied propaganda in Nazi-occupied Europe.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2010
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93 people want to read
About the author
John Steinbeck
1,043 books26.6k followersJohn Ernst Steinbeck was an American writer. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception". He has been called "a giant of American letters."
During his writing career, he authored 33 books, with one book coauthored alongside Edward F. Ricketts, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generation epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon. By the 75th anniversary of its publishing date, it had sold 14 million copies.
Most of Steinbeck's work is set in central California, particularly in the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His works frequently explored the themes of fate and injustice, especially as applied to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.
During his writing career, he authored 33 books, with one book coauthored alongside Edward F. Ricketts, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generation epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas The Red Pony (1933) and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Pulitzer Prize–winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon. By the 75th anniversary of its publishing date, it had sold 14 million copies.
Most of Steinbeck's work is set in central California, particularly in the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His works frequently explored the themes of fate and injustice, especially as applied to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 9, 2016
George: So you got a cigarette an' a whiskey and you shot a week's pay for it?!
Candy: A week's pay? Sure. But I worked weeks all my life. I can't remember none of them weeks. But ... That was nearly twenty years ego. And I can remember that.
Ps: this is a great book just as all steinbeck's books.
Candy: A week's pay? Sure. But I worked weeks all my life. I can't remember none of them weeks. But ... That was nearly twenty years ego. And I can remember that.
Ps: this is a great book just as all steinbeck's books.
August 2, 2015
Donot even get close to it!
June 20, 2020
It was amazing! It added to my love and respect for Steinbeck! A true writer..
I specially liked the way he develops a character. When the black slave is feeling superior to Lennie and making fun of him at first, it was so touching.. But later on, he even sympathized with Lennie and wasn't mean to him.
But are we supposed to kill our Lennies in this society to protect them?!
I specially liked the way he develops a character. When the black slave is feeling superior to Lennie and making fun of him at first, it was so touching.. But later on, he even sympathized with Lennie and wasn't mean to him.
But are we supposed to kill our Lennies in this society to protect them?!
August 14, 2023
My brother told me to read the play version of ‘Of Mice and Men’ because the book would make me too sad (I am a crybaby) but it was still so sad I can’t even imagine how much sadder the book would be. I cried my eyes out.
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December 29, 2021The Moon is Down is a wonderful play about true heroism.
May 11, 2023
Good good good.
February 14, 2016
Between these two plays, Of Mice and Men was the one I liked better (and the reason I bought the book in the first place). I was a bit annoyed that the foreword had major spoilers, including how this play ends. I definitely should not have read it. But I was still able to experience the emotion in the story, at least. I felt bad for Lennie for most of it, but I wanted to punch him when he was more worried about hurting the dog than the girl. And talking about Curley's nameless wife, when I read older books, I try to take into consideration the fact that it was written in another time, but it still bothers me how she's called a tart and how she's blamed for what happens to her because she was "looking for trouble".
As for The Moon is Down, I didn't know anything about it before getting this book, but I ended up reading a few opinions about it and the foreword before reading the play... and that's how I found out it was propaganda... more american propaganda. *sighs* But I took a deep breath and read it anyway. As it's often pointed out, the book doesn't clearly state who the invaders are, but we still know it!? And while I think the book shows how horrible war can be for both sides, at the end of the day, there's still an underlying message that 'they are wrong and we are right', which, of course, is what this kind of propaganda is for. But, ironically, reading this play today, I can't help but picture the author's own nation as the invaders.
As for The Moon is Down, I didn't know anything about it before getting this book, but I ended up reading a few opinions about it and the foreword before reading the play... and that's how I found out it was propaganda... more american propaganda. *sighs* But I took a deep breath and read it anyway. As it's often pointed out, the book doesn't clearly state who the invaders are, but we still know it!? And while I think the book shows how horrible war can be for both sides, at the end of the day, there's still an underlying message that 'they are wrong and we are right', which, of course, is what this kind of propaganda is for. But, ironically, reading this play today, I can't help but picture the author's own nation as the invaders.
September 3, 2012
Of Mice and Men Review (2/02/11)
Gave 4 stars
I recommend to all Steinbeck reader fans - the ending is extremely sad, but Of Mice and Men is a worthwhile read that cannot be ignored.
The friendship between George and Lennie is extremely complex, and they have a genuine companionship that is not parasitic-but rather mutual-istic. Lennie needs George for intellectual and emotional support, but George leans on Lennie for enthusiasm and hope. Once their dreams of someday owning a rabbit farm are shattered, George has to man up in order to save Lennie from a painful torture and death.
The Moon is Down Review (9/02/12)
Gave 4 stars
Interesting novella that follows the story about a "silent" rebellious coastal townspeople who have recently been conquered by an invading army. While the townspeople do not outwardly or actively rebel or resist, they look on to the invading army with cruel, cold, and un-trusting eyes which kills some of the invading army's soldiers. The dialogue was really creative and the characters were well-crafted.
General Review
I honestly loved both of these books a lot. I recommend to ALL readers, especially Steinbeck readers. Aside from The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, this is definitely on of my favorite works by Steinbeck!
Gave 4 stars
I recommend to all Steinbeck reader fans - the ending is extremely sad, but Of Mice and Men is a worthwhile read that cannot be ignored.
The friendship between George and Lennie is extremely complex, and they have a genuine companionship that is not parasitic-but rather mutual-istic. Lennie needs George for intellectual and emotional support, but George leans on Lennie for enthusiasm and hope. Once their dreams of someday owning a rabbit farm are shattered, George has to man up in order to save Lennie from a painful torture and death.
The Moon is Down Review (9/02/12)
Gave 4 stars
Interesting novella that follows the story about a "silent" rebellious coastal townspeople who have recently been conquered by an invading army. While the townspeople do not outwardly or actively rebel or resist, they look on to the invading army with cruel, cold, and un-trusting eyes which kills some of the invading army's soldiers. The dialogue was really creative and the characters were well-crafted.
General Review
I honestly loved both of these books a lot. I recommend to ALL readers, especially Steinbeck readers. Aside from The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden, this is definitely on of my favorite works by Steinbeck!
November 12, 2012
I have sat down with both the novel and the play versions of Of Mice and Men and found them to be virtually identical. I am told they were both published the same day. I read somewhere that Steinbeck had a specific reason for this dual text. Here I lack enough interest to run the full story to ground. Unfortunately, this same let it be attitude has overwhelmed my curiosity about Steinbeck's working habits. I see in various texts marvelous control of description and plot. Someday, perhaps, I'll amend these comments with full knowledge of what I admire greatly.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews