The Monk
A Romance
Ambrosio, the abbot of a Capuchin monastery in Madrid, is famous for his sanctity and has never left the cloister. A young novice, Rosario, turns out to be a woman, Matilda, who has entered the monastery for love of him, and his fall from pride into lust, sorcery and murder follows with gathering speed. A second plot concerns the lovers Raymond and Agnes, a bleeding nun, and a convent whose prioress keeps a terrible secret. Matthew Lewis wrote The Monk at nineteen and published it in 1796; it was denounced as blasphemous and obscene, and he toned down later editions. It remains the most extreme of the English Gothic novels, closer to Sade than to Ann Radcliffe, and it is also very readable. Read it online in your browser on Vinteuil; the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Monk
The Monk by M. G. Lewis can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Monk online?
Yes. The Monk opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Monk free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Monk is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Monk in the public domain?
Yes. The Monk by M. G. Lewis is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Monk?
About 9 h 09 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Monk?
The Monk by M. G. Lewis is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
