In 'Under the Volcano,' Malcolm Lowry unravels the emotional turmoil of Geoffrey Firmin, a British consul living in Mexico on the Day of the Dead. As he succumbs to his inner demons and alcoholism, the narrative weaves through a surreal landscape, reflecting the chaos of his life and the world around him. The day spirals into tragedy, revealing profound themes of love, loss, and existential despair. Lowry's vivid prose paints a haunting portrait of a man's struggle against fate and the weight of his past. This literary masterpiece leaves readers questioning the boundaries of choice and consequence in a chaotic universe.
By Malcolm Lowry
Published: 2007
""The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.""
Geoffrey Firmin, a former British consul, has come to Quauhnahuac, Mexico. His debilitating malaise is drinking, an activity that has overshadowed his life. On the most fateful day of the consul's life—the Day of the Dead, 1938—his wife, Yvonne, arrives in Quauhnahuac, inspired by a vision of life together away from Mexico and the circumstances that have driven their relationship to the brink of collapse. She is determined to rescue Firmin and their failing marriage, but her mission is further complicated by the presence of Hugh, the consul's half brother, and Jacques, a childhood friend. The events of this one significant day unfold against an unforgettable backdrop of a Mexico at once magical and diabolical. Under the Volcano remains one of literature's most powerful and lyrical statements on the human condition, and a brilliant portrayal of one man's constant struggle against the elemental forces that threaten to destroy him.
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“"The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there."”
Under the Volcano
By Malcolm Lowry
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Malcolm Lowry was a British novelist and poet, best known for his acclaimed novel 'Under the Volcano' (1947), which explores themes of existentialism and the complexities of human experience set against the backdrop of Mexico. Lowry's writing is characterized by its lush, lyrical prose and deep psychological insight, often reflecting his personal struggles with alcoholism and existential despair. Other notable works include 'Lunar Caustic' (1968) and 'In Ballast to the White Sea' (1961). His work has influenced generations of writers and remains a significant part of 20th-century literature.
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