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A modernist novel written by English author Malcolm Lowry and published in 1947.

''Under the Volcano'' was strongly influenced by Creator/JamesJoyce and ''Literature/{{Ulysses}}'', featuring stream-of-consciousness prose and recurring symbolism. However, the linguistic experiments are far less extensive.

Taking place on the Day of the Dead, 1938, in Mexico, it is the story of alcoholic British ex-consul Geoffrey Firmin; his estranged wife, Yvonne, and his younger brother, Hugh.

An earlier version from 1940 exists, but was roundly rejected by publishers, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen prompting a rewrite]]. A film adaptation was made by Creator/JohnHuston in 1984, starring Creator/AlbertFinney and Creator/JacquelineBisset.

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!!'''This book and its film adaptation provide examples of:'''
* TheAlcoholic: Geoffrey Firmin, to a T.
* AdaptedOut: The Taskeron family, and Geoffrey's friends Jacques Laruelle and Juan Cerillo are all cut out of the film. [[CompositeCharacter Some of Laruelle's dialogue is given to Dr. Vigil and Hugh]].
* {{Calacas}}: The opening section takes place during Día de Muertos, and the film's credits display a parade of Calaca marionettes.
* ChummyCommies: Hugh's old comrades from the UsefulNotes/SpanishCivilWar. Geoffrey and Yvonne both find the idea amusing.
* ContemplateOurNavels: But quite poetically.
* DepravedDwarf: The owner of the local brothel who extorts Geoffrey for all his money, [[spoiler:then has him killed.]]
* DirtyCop: The local police chiefs are in the pockets of the [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Nazi-adjacent]] Sinarquistas, [[spoiler:and are willing to commit murder to cover-up their crimes.]]
* DownerEnding: [[spoiler:Including TheHeroDies.]]
* DrowningMySorrows: For Firmin, it's become a way of life.
* DullSurprise: Geoffrey's constant inebriation makes him underreact to severe situations, [[spoiler:including direct and imminent death threats.]]
* ExtremelyShortTimespan: Apart from the first chapter, all of the book takes place in less than one day
* Myth/{{Faust}}: Has parallels with that story
* FormerChildStar: Yvonne's short-lived teenage acting career
* JadedWashout: Since resigning his consulship, Geoffrey has resorted to binge drinking and rambling about his glory days as a Naval captain during World War I.
* TheMasochismTango
* ANaziByAnyOtherName: The Sinarquistas, though as Hugh points out, they are funded by the ''actual'' Nazis.
* NoAntagonist
* SiblingRivalry: Of a sort; for one thing, Geoffrey and Hugh are both romantically interested in Yvonne.
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