The Quantity Theory of Insanity

Infobox Book
title_orig=
translator=


image_caption= The Book's Cover
name= The Quantity Theory of Insanity
author= Will Self
illustrator=
cover_artist=
country= United Kingdom
language= English
series=
genre= Short Story Collection
publisher= Bloomsbury Publishing
release_date= 25 November 1992
media_type= Print (Hardback & Paperback)
sales=
pages= 288 pp
isbn= ISBN 9780747582311
preceded_by=
followed_by= The Sweet Smell of Psychosis 1996

The Quantity Theory of Insanity is a collection of short stories by Will Self.

Publishing Details

It was first published in hardback in 1991 and won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Award in 1992 [ [http://www.bloomsbury.com/authors/microsite.asp?id=35&section=1 Will Self Bloomsbury Bibliography] ] It was the first published collection of the authors short work and includes themes and characters (such as Zack Busner) 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. Ballard and a depressive David Lodge got together, they might produce something like The Quantity Theory of Insanity. But Will Self's world is all his own" Martin Amis [ [http://www.bloomsbury.com/BookCatalog/ProductItem.asp?S=1&sku=22043498 Praise for The Quantity Theory of Insanity] ]

"‘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 Guardian [ [http://www.bloomsbury.com/BookCatalog/ProductItem.asp?S=1&sku=22043498 Praise for The Quantity Theory of Insanity] ]

tories

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 affect 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 embropiled 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.

Waiting

hort story collections by the same Author

*"The Quantity Theory of Insanity" (short stories) 1991
*" Grey Area" (short stories) 1994
*"The Sweet Smell of Psychosis" (illustrated novella) 1996
*"Design Faults in the Volvo 760 Turbo" (short stories) 1998
*"Tough, Tough Toys for Tough, Tough Boys" (short stories) 1998
*"Dr. Mukti and Other Tales of Woe" (short stories) 2004
*"Liver: A Fictional Organ with a Surface Anatomy of Four Lobes" (short stories) 2008
*"The Undivided Self: Selected Stories" (short stories) Scheduled 2009

References

External links

* [http://www.will-self.com Official Will Self site]
*imdb name|id=1107102|name=Will Self