Under the Volcano

A Novel

By: Malcolm Lowry

Narrated by: Nick Ullett

Beneath the twin shadows of Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl in Mexico, the Consul is drunk. He staggers from bar to bar hoping to find salvation staining the bottom of the next glass. His lonely existence is disrupted when his former wife, Yvonne, returns with, Hugh, the Consul's half-brother. But the reunion turns sour when a local peasant turns up dead, beginning a series of events that will decide the Consul's fate. In the course of one day an entire life is chronicled, set against the backdrop of Europe during the Spanish Civil War.Recording (P)1997 by Audio Literature; Copyright ©1975 by Margerie Bonner Lowry, Copyright ©1994 by the Estate of Malcolm Lowry

Critic reviews

"One of the towering novels of this century." (The New York Times)

Under the Volcano

I was sorry to see that there aren't many more books narrated by the narrator, Nick Ullett, because after listening to his reading this book, I was ready to listen to whatever he had to read.
This is an amazing book; considered within the top 100 of the 20th century. I do not think I could have done any better by reading it myself, as Ullett brings to light many of the underlying themes, yet without flourish. It isn't easy to turn off the ipod with this one!

Cratering out

I was able to finish this only through determination, not enjoyment. It's tedious, overblown and downright boring. A highly repetitious account of a drunk trying not very hard to kick his habit.

Very Poor Quality Audio

This great novel is rendered almost unintelligible by the poor quality of the recording, or perhaps the digitalization. I had enormous difficulty understanding what the narrator was saying and gave up after about ten minutes. I admit that my hearing isn't terrific. Younger readers may fair better. What a shame.

Skip this one

Not sure why this book won so many awards. I found it boring and could not finish it.