A Story not for the Faint of Heart; a Book Review on Under the Volcano

Prepare to be wowed by Malcom Lowry’s perhaps grandest achievement, Under the Volcano; a story of a former British consul, Geoffrey Firmin, drinking himself to death in Guauhnahuac, Mexico. Yes, initially one tends to think of a bland, easily forgotten novel written by an obscure author. However, under more careful review, one can see that Lowry produces a work of genius.
Lowry was born in England in 1909 and went to Cambridge University. Although Lowry wrote multiple works throughout his life, Under the Volcano is said to be his greatest achievement. Unfortunately, Lowry followed the life of the Consul to closely and drank himself to death, finally dying in 1957. Throughout his life he traveled to many places, living in several of them, including Mexico, the setting of this novel.
The work starts with Dr. Arturo Diaz Vigil and M. Jacques Laruelle drinking and reminiscing about the past. Soon, however, the reader is transported back to a single day in 1938, the Day of the Dead. The book covers this entire day in 1938. The Consul has come to Quauhnahuac, Mexico and is slowly killing himself with mescal and other alcoholic drinks. Misery has overcome the Consul’s life ever since his wife, Yvonne left him. However, Yvonne returns, wishing to save her husband from a dreary, melancholy death. Not only is the Consul visited by Yvonne, his half-brother, Hugh and Jacques Laruelle, a childhood friend, also come to intervene. All four struggle with each other as Yvonne tries desperately to save her husband from his disease, while the other two simply stand-by and somewhat accompany the Consul in procuring alcohol and whatnot.
One will admit, the plot-line is less than intriguing, it is fruitless and seems, at first glance, excruciatingly boring. However, Lowry is able to take the simple story of a severe alcoholic and turn it into one of the most profound statements on mankind’s sufferings. He contrasts an overshadowing of misery and sadness with undertones of wit and humor. The reader is moved by lengthy passages describing the Consul’s suffering and inability to keep himself steady and comprehensive for more than twenty minutes without a drink. At the same time the reader sympathizes with Yvonne in her futile struggle to save the one she loves. She is ignored and hurt by the Consul, yet still tries voraciously to extract the Consul from his hole of death and misery. If one is looking for a prophetic story of despair and suffering, this is the perfect book.
Overall Lowry does an excellent job portraying the complications of alcoholism and the dangers of drinking in excess. He makes multiple, profound statements on the human condition and thinking through the interactions between his characters. Although the tone of the entire book is somber and melancholy, the reader is kept afloat by the hope that the Consul will rescue himself, that he will survive. It is a story of will, sorrow, and the human life that can be related to almost anyone’s life. An extremely good, yet slow, read, Lowry deserves much credit for this masterpiece.