The Moon is Down

188 pages. Small octavo (7 3/4" x 5") bound in original publisher's blue cloth with silver lettering to spine with blind stamped cover in original pictorial jacket. First edition, first state. 

First State, With The Improper Period Between Two Words On Line 11 On Page 112, Publishing Date "March 1942", And No Indication Of Printer's Name On Copyright Page. 

The Moon Is Down is a novel by American writer John Steinbeck. Fashioned for adaptation for the theatre and for which Steinbeck received the Norwegian King Haakon VII Freedom Cross, it was published by Viking Press in March 1942. The story tells of the military occupation of a small town in Northern Europe by the army of an unnamed nation at war with England and Russia (much like the occupation of Norway by the Germans during World War II).

The title of the book comes from Macbeth. Just before Banquo encounters Macbeth on his way to kill Duncan, he asks his son, Fleance, "How goes the night, boy?" Fleance replies, "The moon is down; I have not heard the clock." (Act II, Scene i).

Lightly soiled, heal corners rubbed through. Jacket price clipped, spine ends chipped, some closed edge tears, lightly soiled else very good in like jacket.