About the Book: The Monk
Matthew Lewiss Gothic masterpiece, depicting a holy man slowly becoming
entangled in a web of sin, The Monk is edited with an introduction by
Christopher MacLachlan in Penguin Classics. Savaged by critics for its blasphemy
and obscenity, particularly since the author was a Member of Parliament, The
Monk soon attracted thousands of readers keen to see if this Gothic novel lived
up to its lurid reputation. With acute psychological insight, Lewis shows the
diabolical decline of Ambrosio, a worthy superior of the Capuchins of Madrid who
is tempted by Matilda, a young girl who has entered his monastery disguised as a
boy.