sunday salons

Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry

December 2, 2007

UNDER THE VOLCANO by Malcolm Lowry was hailed as best of century when it appeared in the 1930s; and, strangely, it seems to have been forgotten. It is one of books that has haunted some of us since we were young.

"The novel can be read simply as a story which you can skip if you want. It can be read as a story you will get more out of if you don't skip. It can be regarded as a kind of symphony, or in another way as a kind of opera-or even a horse opera. It is hot music, a poem, a song, a comedy, a farce, and so forth. It is superficial, profound, entertaining, and boring, according to taste. It is a prophecy, a political warning, a cryptogram, a preposterous movie."
–Malcolm Lowry

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Jan 30 2008 10:42:11 pm EST

…Is it relevant that we would read a book like this?…Does it makes sense to you in the light of your lived experience, or in light of your profession?

Feb 28 2008 04:31:29 pm EST

I am not sure of the audience; however, if you found this site you are very lucky. One of my favorite activities has to be reading Maxine Greene's recommended books for the Salon and attending the lively discussions. Some of the books are rereads which are quite fascinating; however, I had never read "Under the Volcano." I really appreciated hearing Maxine talk about her earlier encounters with the book. After the discussion I was able to enjoy the book more but I would not recommend it, especially for college students. In the December 9, 2007 issue of The New York Times there was a review of "The Voyage That Never Ends" by Malcolm Lowry, edited by Michael Hofmann. I would never have been able to appreciate the piece without having read UTV. It is my understanding that the book is very much about the life of Lowry, particularly his problems with drinking. I recently saw the production of MTC's "Come Back, Little Sheba." Inge's writing about alcoholism is much more illuminationg, particularly how it influences those around them. I thought Lowry's main character is too self-involved. There are so many intelligent readers with varied backgrounds which allows for an amazing discussion. I hope to spend more time looking at this site.
-J. Entes

Jan 30 2008 10:41:54 pm EST

Is the alcoholism a means to transcendence?... Are addictions of this kind both good and bad?... Can they be avenues into some kind of transcendence, or insight, or perception?

Feb 5 2008 08:30:58 am EST

BRAVO to the participants in this exhilarating Salon! Our conversation re-ignited the precious flame that has continued perennially in salons down the centuries. Participants may be intersted to know about a related endeavor: global Conversation Week 2008 -- full information available at www.conversationcafe.org.
-Ron Gross

Feb 4 2008 02:51:00 pm EST

It's an awful truth, but yes, alcoholism and other addictions can be a means to transcendance and a means to one's downfall. Transcendance and downfull can occur sequentially or simultaneously in our lives.
-Vincent R.

Jan 30 2008 10:41:29 pm EST

“What’s the good? Just sobering him up for a day or two's not going to help. Good God, if our civilisation were to sober up for a couple of days it’d die of remorse on the third -” From Under the Volcano-" From Under the Volcano

Feb 5 2008 09:10:32 am EST

The good is seeing and responding to what is bad in the world. For some drinking profusely or turning away is the only way to deal with it.
-David

Feb 4 2008 10:16:48 pm EST

Given the choice of remorse or unconsciousness, our civilization might simply respond with anger. It might then strike out against the world around it.
-Norman T.