John Steinbeck — The Moon Is Down

London, William Heinemann, 1942 . First edition. Cloth. The first UK edition of John Steinbeck's novel about the military occupation of a town in Northern Europe. The first UK edition, first impression.In the publisher's original price unclipped dust wrapper.The best known work of American literature in the Soviet Union during the Second World War, this novel details the military occupation of a small town in Northern Europe by the army of a nation at war with England and Russia.With a Book Society bookplate to the front pastedown, dated June 1942.The work appears to be reminiscent of the occupation of Norway by the Germans, and resulted in Steinbeck being awarded the Norwegian King Haakon VII Freedom Cross. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Bumping to back strip head and tail, otherwise exceptionally bright. Bookplate to front pastedown. Significant sunning to dust wrapper back strip, with small losses to back strip head and tail. Two small closed tears to the head of the front wrap, and two further to the head of the rear wrap. Rear wrap lightly age toned. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good.