If you loved
Under the Volcano
Malcolm Lowry · Book · 2023
You are drawn to Under the Volcano because it captures the agonizing friction between a fractured psyche and an unforgiving, collapsing world.
Films on the same thread
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Richard Brooks · Film · 1958
Like the protagonist of Under the Volcano, the lead here grapples with deep-seated personal malaise and self-destructive habits that threaten to consume his family and his sense of self.
Leaving Las Vegas
Mike Figgis · Film · 1995
This film mirrors the fatalistic descent found in Under the Volcano, exploring the raw, unvarnished reality of a man choosing to surrender his existence to the abyss of total addiction.
The Painted Veil
John Curran · Film · 2006
Much like the Consul in Under the Volcano, the characters here navigate a suffocating marriage set against a backdrop of colonial tension and the inescapable weight of their own failings.
The Brutalist
Brady Corbet · Film · 2024
This narrative captures the post-war trauma and existential instability that defined the atmosphere of Under the Volcano, focusing on a man struggling to maintain his vision amidst personal ruin.
Series on the same thread
The Diplomat
Debora Cahn · Series · 2023
If you appreciated the complex marital dynamics and high-stakes environment of Under the Volcano, you will recognize the same intense pressure placed on personal relationships within a demanding, public sphere.
Californication
Tom Kapinos · Series · 2007
This series examines the self-loathing and spiraling behavior reminiscent of Under the Volcano, showing how a brilliant mind can be systematically dismantled by personal obsession and a cycle of regret.
Poldark
Debbie Horsfield · Series · 2015
The sense of post-war disillusionment and social decay that permeates Under the Volcano is echoed here, as a man returns to a home that no longer resembles the one he left.
Gentleman Jack
Sally Wainwright · Series · 2019
This story channels the period-specific struggle for self-definition found in Under the Volcano, highlighting how individuals fight to assert their identity against the rigid constraints of their era's social norms.
Podcasts on the same thread
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
The thematic focus on systemic collapse and the cyclical nature of historical failure mirrors the grander, tragic scope of the political malaise depicted throughout Under the Volcano.
Revisionist History
Pushkin Industries · Podcast · 2026
Just as Under the Volcano invites you to look closer at the hidden rot beneath the surface, these investigations challenge your perception of truth and the narratives we construct about history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Under the Volcano set over a long period of time?
No, Under the Volcano is not set over a long period. The novel takes place entirely during a single, fateful day in 1938. The narrative focuses on the events occurring during the Day of the Dead in Quauhnahuac, Mexico, as the consul faces his final hours.
What is the central conflict in Under the Volcano?
The central conflict in Under the Volcano involves the protagonist, Geoffrey Firmin, and his struggle with debilitating alcoholism. As a former British consul in Mexico, his life is overshadowed by this malaise, which reaches a critical point during the day his wife, Yvonne, arrives in Quauhnahuac.
How is Under the Volcano regarded by critics?
Under the Volcano is highly regarded in literary history. It was voted number 11 on the Modern Library 100 Best Novels list, reflecting its significant status and impact within the canon of modern literature since its publication by Malcolm Lowry.
Where does Under the Volcano take place?
Under the Volcano is set in Quauhnahuac, Mexico. This location serves as the backdrop for the story of Geoffrey Firmin, a former British consul, during the Day of the Dead in 1938, the same day his wife Yvonne arrives to visit him.