- Hardcover: 486 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press (Nov 8 1973)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0192553623
- ISBN-13: 978-0192553621
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
"The Monk" is Matthew G. Lewis's 1796 novel which is the tale of a monk who is tempted by carnal desire and led down a ruinous path of ungodliness. Ambrosio, a pious, well-respected monk in Spain, is lustfully tempted by his pupil, Matilda, a woman who has disguised herself as a monk. Having satisfied himself with her, he is overcome with carnal desire for the innocent Antonia. With the help of Matilda, who is actually Satan in disguise, Ambrosio seduces Antonia, a seduction that would ultimately lead to his downfall. Recognized as one of the first novels of the gothic genre, "The Monk" is a classic tale of the tragic ruin that may befall one tempted by desire.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775-1818) was educated at Oxford after which he held a position in the British Embassy at The Hague. It was there in 1794, that he wrote the racy novel The Monk, under the influence of the early German romantics. Its controversial publication in 1796, due to Lewis' new status as MP, earned him fame and the book a great deal of popularity.
--This text refers to the
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First Sentence
Scarcely had the abbey-bell tolled for five minutes, and already was the church of the Capuchins thronged with auditors. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Scarcely had the abbey-bell tolled for five minutes, and already was the church of the Capuchins thronged with auditors. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Classic,
By Maria Mahnic (London, Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Penguin Classics Monk (Paperback)
Okay, it is a bit dated and a bit far fetched, but I really enjoyed it. I thought the thrill of the novel was a lot of fun to read. Although dated, I could still make a connection with the story. My only real complaint is that I could not relate to any of the characters. I found all of the characters were one sided and either too perfect or too evil. If you want a nice compliment to this novel try The Italian by Ann Radcliffe.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Of historical significance only,,
By A Customer
This review is from: Penguin Classics Monk (Paperback)
Unlike, for example, Beckford's "Vathek" and Radcliffe's "The Italian," "The Monk" is a classic gothic novel that has only historical interest. When he wrote it, Lewis set out to go beyond anything his predecessors and competitors had done in terms of shocking the reader. In that respect, he definitely succeeded -- his book was notorious for over 100 years, and even by today's standards it's an eyebrow-raiser. Illicit sex, torture, rape, murder, satanism (with one real-live demon, no less) are all here, described in "loving" detail. All this sounds more titillating that it really is. Lewis's style is completely conventional, the characters are two-dimensional, and long stretches are quite dull. "The Monk" is worth reading if you have a real interest in classic gothic literature, but otherwise it may be safely by-passed.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Sensationalism passing for a Classic,
By "mr_corvo" (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Penguin Classics Monk (Paperback)
This immensely popular gothic novel desperately attempts to overload the senses with scenes of the most graphic, morbid, sexual, and shocking images Lewis could concoct. With no deeper themes than the immensity of temptation's power and the way even a devout man may fall, Lewis' main goal seems to be to make us cringe. Culminating in an incestuous rape and murder scene, the novel just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. In the year of its publication The Monk was a smash hit in England, mostly among upper-class women. It was, in essence, a soap opera of yesterday, with about as much depth as that trite form of entertainment. I do believe that its amazing popularity is its only credit for any continued study, as an historical phenomenon, but not as great literature.Years later Austen would satyrize The Monk and books like it in her Northanger Abbey. I would instead highly recommend (...)to leave The Monk on the shelf.
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