Under the Volcano

Interesting Facts

• The novel takes place over the course of a single day — the Day of the Dead, November 2, 1938, in the small Mexican town of Cuernavaca.
• The protagonist, Geoffrey Firmin, a former British consul, suffers from alcoholism and experiences a deep personal crisis.
• The novel is rich in symbolism and allusions, including numerous references to mythology, literature, and religion.
• The title of the novel refers to the volcano Popocatépetl, located near the setting, symbolizing the destructive forces at play in the protagonist's life.
• The novel is considered one of the finest works of English literature of the 20th century and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature.