Under the Volcano

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Under the Volcano (1947) is a semi-autobiographical novel by English writer Malcolm Lowry. It tells the story of Geoffrey Firmin, an alcoholic British consul in the small Mexican town of Quauhnahuac (recognizably Cuernavaca), on the Day of the Dead in 1938.

1 The path to publication
2 Characters
3 In film
4 Quotation
5 Editions in print
6 External links

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The path to publication

In 1940, Lowry hired an agent, Harold Matson, to find a publisher for the manuscript, but it was rejected many times. He continued refining it for years, but this original 1940 version was published in 1994 under the title The 1940 Under the Volcano.

In 1944, the manuscript was nearly lost in a fire at Lowry's shack in British Columbia. His second wife, Margerie, rescued the unfinished novel, but all of Lowry's other works in progress were lost in the blaze.

The novel as we recognize it today was finally finished in 1945, and was immediately sent to the hands of many publishers. In late winter, while on vacation in Mexico, Lowry learned that the novel had been accepted by two publishing companies, Reynal & Hitchcock in America, and Jonathan Cape in England.

There have been many editions of the book since, and it is now recognized as number 11 on the list of the 100 greatest novels of the 20th century, as compiled by the Modern Library.

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Characters

Geoffrey Firmin is the alcoholic Consul living in Quauhnahuac. He is actually an ex-consulate, and recently resigned due to diplomatic strains between England and Mexico. He wants to write a book, but his alcoholism affects all areas of his life, particularly his relationship with Yvonne.

Yvonne Firmin is Geoffrey's ex-wife. She has returned to Mexico in order to rekindle their relationship.

Hugh Firmin is Geoffrey's half-brother, and once had an affair with Yvonne. He visits Mexico to report on fascist activity for the London Globe, and he feels incredibly guilty for not acting in the Spanish Civil War.

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