Under the Volcano

Historical Context and Significance

Under the Volcano is a novel by English writer Malcolm Lowry, first published in 1947. It is regarded as a masterpiece of modernist literature and one of Lowry's key works. The novel intricately examines themes of self-destruction, spiritual decline, and the effects of alcoholism, based on the last day of the protagonist's life, a former consul in the Mexican town of Cuernavaca, amidst unrequited love, political and social turmoil on the eve of World War II. The novel is considered to have significant depth in terms of character psychology and language. Under the Volcano has been adapted multiple times for theater and film, and its influence on 20th-century literature and culture is immense, often being listed among the most significant books of the century. The novel also sparked a renewed interest in Lowry's work after his death, leading to a reevaluation of his legacy as one of the most important authors of his time.