About

Founded in 2011 by Grant Cogswell, Under the Volcano Books (UTVBKS) is named after the 1947 literary masterpiece Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry. 

The book follows its main character, a British Consul General, through his sojourn and ultimate demise in Cuernavaca, Morelos (a two-hour trip outside of Mexico City) during the Day of the Dead. Its title references the ever-present Popocatépetl and Izataccihuatl, the two volcanoes on the horizon embodying the natural and cultural richness and mythos of Mexico City. 

As North America's largest city, Mexico City plays host to peoples and cultures from around the world on the original lands of the Aztec Empire. This history inspired the store's original mission and founding statement: 

Our mission is to establish: an embassy for the soul of the English-speaking world – its literature – in Mexico; an educational resource for Chilangos learning English and eager to explore the artistic reach of the language; a web-free, Kindle-less island of analog time in the digital sea; a community center for Commonwealth and American expatriates in the most exciting, vibrant and accessible city on Earth; an institution that will pay tribute to that city’s

magnificence with the best our native culture has to offer. 

As of 2025, Under the Volcano Books is under new ownership. As we continue to explore the richness of the English language, its books, and its culture, we do so in the shadow of the volcanoes and sunshine of our home, la Ciudad de México, in an expatriate enclave. Appropriately, our store is located in the American Legion near Plaza Popocatépetl, in the heart of Mexico City. The #2 Legion Post in the world since its founding in 1920, its long-lasting home has housed UTVBKS since 2012. Our location reflects the social, political, and cultural impact of the English language and its continued impact as the lingua franca of the world.