The Monk: A Romance

Name: The Monk: A Romance
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9789355220929

✍️ M G Lewis

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$24.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A scandalous Gothic novel by M G Lewis about a priest's fall from grace in Madrid.

The narrative centers on Ambrosio, a priest whose reputation is tested by the arrival of Leonella and Antonia. Antonia faces punishment from a prioress after being found pregnant by Raymond de las Cisternas. Lorenzo’s vow to marry her adds tension to the unfolding drama. The Marquis de las Cisternas’ decision to cut off their pension sets the stage for these events. Lewis explores themes of religious hypocrisy and familial duty within the Gothic tradition. The work has been adapted for stage and film, highlighting its enduring impact on popular culture.

Key Themes

Gothic fiction religious hypocrisy familial duty

Literary Context

Published in 1796 by M G Lewis before his twentieth birthday, this work stands as a key Gothic novel. It reflects the literary sensibilities of its time and has influenced subsequent adaptations in theater and cinema.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Bram Stoker · Ann Radcliffe · Mary Shelley · Coleridge

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Gothic

🏛 Classy Publishing 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9789355220929

📝 Description: The Monk: A Romance

M G Lewis wrote The Monk before he turned twenty, creating a Gothic classic that scandalized its era. This romance follows Ambrosio, a priest in Madrid whose strict piety masks a dark interior life. The narrative begins when Leonella and her niece Antonia arrive at a church to hear his sermon. Antonia’s grandfather, the Marquis de las Cisternas, has cut off their pension due to marital disputes, leaving them vulnerable. Lorenzo vows to marry Antonia, but complications arise when she is revealed to be pregnant with the child of Raymond de las Cisternas. Ambrosio intervenes, turning Antonia over to the prioress of her abbey for punishment. The story draws on Gothic traditions and supernatural elements, adapting themes that have appeared in stage plays and films. Lewis structures the plot around these moral transgressions and the consequences of hidden desires. This edition suits readers interested in early nineteenth-century literature and the origins of Gothic fiction. It may not appeal to those seeking light romance or modern pacing. The text remains a significant work from 1796, offering insight into the period’s literary tastes. Classy Publishing presents this version for contemporary audiences to examine its historical context and narrative style.

💎 Our verdict on The Monk: A Romance

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Lewis constructs a compelling narrative around Ambrosio’s fall from grace, effectively utilizing Gothic traditions to explore themes of hidden desires and consequence. The text succeeds in creating an atmosphere of tension through its focus on religious hypocrisy and the vulnerability of characters like Antonia. It suits readers who appreciate early horror fiction and are interested in the historical development of the genre. While it lacks modern pacing, its structural integrity and moral complexity make it a valuable study for those examining the origins of Gothic fiction and its enduring impact on popular culture.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the origins of Gothic fiction and early nineteenth-century literary tastes will find this text essential. It offers a profound insight into the period’s cultural anxieties regarding religious duty and familial obligation. The narrative provides a unique window into how moral transgressions were dramatized during the Romantic era, appealing to those who appreciate the historical context of horror literature. Those seeking to understand the evolution of dark fantasy and the psychological underpinnings of classic horror tropes will gain significant value from this enduring work.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Lewis constructs a compelling narrative around Ambrosio’s fall from grace, effectively utilizing Gothic traditions to explore themes of hidden desires and consequence. The text succeeds in creating an atmosphere of tension through its focus on religious hypocrisy and the vulnerability of characters like Antonia. It suits readers who appreciate early horror fiction and are interested in the historical development of the genre. While it lacks modern pacing, its structural integrity and moral complexity make it a valuable study for those examining the origins of Gothic fiction and its enduring impact on popular culture.