The Quantity Theory of Insanity
Encyclopedia
The Quantity Theory of Insanity is a collection of short stories by Will Self
, it won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize
in 1993.
) that are common throughout Self's shorter and longer fiction.
Within this collection, as well as Dr Busner appearing in two of the stories, the fictional tribe the "Ur-Bororo" are a touchstone. Specifically in the story "Understanding the Ur-Bororo" and subtly in "Ward 9" and the title story. The book is prefaced by the traditional Ur-Bororo saying "However far you may travel in this world, you will still occupy the same volume."
Praise for the collection came from fellow authors and critics.
A young man's mother dies. After her funeral he begins to see her acting as normal. At first he wonders if this is an effect of his grief
addled mind, until he approaches and talks to one of the apparitions.
"Ward 9"
A new art therapist begins treating the psychological patients on the eponymous Ward 9. As the story progresses the therapist becomes more embroiled in the lives of the patients, begins taking medication one of them gives him and investigates the machine in the basement of the hospital. The ward is overseen by Zack Busner, a position he also holds during the story "Dr Mukti" in another of Self's collections.
"Understanding the Ur-Bororo"
A man wonders what happened to his friend Janner from the days when they were at school in Reigate
together. His friend had tended towards secrecy and reclusiveness at the time, before disappearing completely. Then he bumps into him in a laundrette. Over dinner he explains where he has been and who he has been studying.
"The Quantity Theory of Insanity"
The title story deals with the creation, testing and impact of the "Quantity Theory of Insanity." A Number of scientists are involved including Zack Busner. The Doctors use a group of patients in a concept house in Willesden Junction.
"Mono Cellular"
A man suffers insomnia. Waiting to sleep he compiles a list of things keeping him awake and muses upon his recent life and where it is going- however it is clear that he is afflicted by a certain level of 'insanity', as his musings become more and more erratic and irrelevant.
"Waiting"
A man watches his friend James descend into madness exacerbated by a cult-like group led by a motorcycle courier
named Carlos. James is obsessed with waiting, and goes to great lengths to avoid it. He contends that all people are constantly waiting and rails against it passionately.
Will Self
William Woodard "Will" Self is an English novelist and short story writer. His fictional style is known for being satirical, grotesque, and fantastical. He is a prolific commentator on contemporary British life, with regular appearances on Newsnight and Question Time...
, it won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize
Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize
The Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize is a British literary prize established in 1963 in tribute to Geoffrey Faber, founder and first Chairman publisher Faber & Faber...
in 1993.
Publishing Details
First published in 1991 in paperback it was the first published collection of the authors short work and includes themes and characters (such as Zack BusnerZack Busner
Zack Busner is a recurring character in the fiction of Will Self, appearing in the short story collections The Quantity Theory of Insanity, Grey Area, Dr. Mukti and Other Tales of Woe, and in the novels Great Apes and The Book of Dave....
) that are common throughout Self's shorter and longer fiction.
Within this collection, as well as Dr Busner appearing in two of the stories, the fictional tribe the "Ur-Bororo" are a touchstone. Specifically in the story "Understanding the Ur-Bororo" and subtly in "Ward 9" and the title story. The book is prefaced by the traditional Ur-Bororo saying "However far you may travel in this world, you will still occupy the same volume."
Praise for the collection came from fellow authors and critics.
"If a manic J. G. BallardJ. G. BallardJames Graham Ballard was an English novelist, short story writer, and prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction...
and a depressive David LodgeDavid Lodge (author)David John Lodge CBE, is an English author.In his novels, Lodge often satirises academia in general and the humanities in particular. He was brought up Catholic and has described himself as an "agnostic Catholic". Many of his characters are Catholic and their Catholicism is a major theme...
got together, they might produce something like The Quantity Theory of Insanity. But Will Self's world is all his own" Martin AmisMartin AmisMartin Louis Amis is a British novelist, the author of many novels including Money and London Fields . He is currently Professor of Creative Writing at the Centre for New Writing at the University of Manchester, but will step down at the end of the 2010/11 academic year...
"‘Will Self’s The Quantity Theory of Insanity is as disturbing as satire ought to be and these days seldom is. Also it is unashamedly funny as well as chilling, presented with an air of cunning repose" The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
Stories
"The North London book of the Dead"A young man's mother dies. After her funeral he begins to see her acting as normal. At first he wonders if this is an effect of his grief
Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions...
addled mind, until he approaches and talks to one of the apparitions.
"Ward 9"
A new art therapist begins treating the psychological patients on the eponymous Ward 9. As the story progresses the therapist becomes more embroiled in the lives of the patients, begins taking medication one of them gives him and investigates the machine in the basement of the hospital. The ward is overseen by Zack Busner, a position he also holds during the story "Dr Mukti" in another of Self's collections.
"Understanding the Ur-Bororo"
A man wonders what happened to his friend Janner from the days when they were at school in Reigate
Reigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
together. His friend had tended towards secrecy and reclusiveness at the time, before disappearing completely. Then he bumps into him in a laundrette. Over dinner he explains where he has been and who he has been studying.
"The Quantity Theory of Insanity"
The title story deals with the creation, testing and impact of the "Quantity Theory of Insanity." A Number of scientists are involved including Zack Busner. The Doctors use a group of patients in a concept house in Willesden Junction.
"Mono Cellular"
A man suffers insomnia. Waiting to sleep he compiles a list of things keeping him awake and muses upon his recent life and where it is going- however it is clear that he is afflicted by a certain level of 'insanity', as his musings become more and more erratic and irrelevant.
"Waiting"
A man watches his friend James descend into madness exacerbated by a cult-like group led by a motorcycle courier
Motorcycle courier
A motorcycle courier is a courier operating via a motorcycle or motor scooter. Motorcycle couriers are common in major urban centres, primarily in Europe, South America and Asia, but increasingly in North America.- History :...
named Carlos. James is obsessed with waiting, and goes to great lengths to avoid it. He contends that all people are constantly waiting and rails against it passionately.