Will Self's Dark Philosophical Fiction
Will Self's *The Quantity Theory of Morality* releases March 5 as a darkly satirical literary work exploring morality as a finite resource. The provocative concept targets readers interested in philosophical fiction with sharp social commentary.
*The Quantity Theory of Morality* serves as a long-awaited sequel to Will Self's 1991 award-winning debut, *The Quantity Theory of Insanity*. That original collection of short stories introduced his recurring character, the maverick psychiatrist Dr. Zack Busner, who also makes an appearance in the new novel. Self's fiction is known for its satirical and often grotesque style, frequently exploring themes of mental illness, psychiatry, and drug abuse. His work is predominantly set in London and he is recognized for his sharp social commentary and exploration of the politics of urbanism. He has described his reason for writing as a desire to "astonish people" and destabilize the reader's fundamental assumptions about the world. Critics have noted his work for its fiendishly funny and devastatingly acute observations. Over his career, Self has authored 11 novels, five short story collections, and numerous works of non-fiction. His novel *Umbrella* was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2012, and *How the Dead Live* was shortlisted for the Whitbread Novel of the Year in 2002.
