The Monk by Matthew G. Lewis

O My, Yes! This is the real deal--early Gothic horror which actually inspires thrills and chills. Horace Walpole originated the genre with his unbelievable and awkwardly written The Castle of Otranto (1764), and Ann Radcliffe continued it with her widely-popular romantic and feminine-targeted adventures with after-explained seemingly supernatural events, including her most famous novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794). Then, only a couple of years later (1796), comes Matthew Lewis, who at 19-years-old writes such an impassioned and believable novel with authentic horrors that it can compare favorably with anything written in the genre today.

The Monk is a story of three parts. We have the love story of Antonia and Lorenzo, the love story of Agnes and Raymond, and the story of the fall from grace and morality of the monk Ambrosio. The three strands interweave and become one as the plot progresses, ending in a highly dramatic and unexpected fashion. I, for one, was left with my mouth agape in amazement and admiration for the talent of the author.

Not that the novel is without its discernible faults: the early exposition is awkwardly handled, and the two romances which form a part of the story are formulaic, for the most part. But when it comes to telling the story of Ambrosio the monk, Lewis bypasses all expectations. The horrors accompanying Ambrosio's fall are not adapted to the supposed sensibilities of a feminine or genteel readership, but are rendered in graphically described and chilling detail. Lewis displays a great deal of psychological insight in his portrayal of the monk, at the beginning a man seemingly without sin, but who is in reality filled to the brim with self satisfaction and overweening pride in his reputation and holiness. His submissions to temptation and descent into immorality proceed logically and are entirely believable. The supernatural elements are so vividly described that a reader has no problem in suspending disbelief.

I can well imagine the excitement this novel aroused when it was published. It was a best-seller, and probably was hidden behind other books in the libraries of many well-bred young ladies. It is sensational, subversive, sexy, and scary. Its writing is over-the-top, but always riveting.

I close with a description of Lucifer from the closing pages of the book:

"His blasted limbs still bore marks of the Almighty's thunder. A swarthy darkness spread itself over his gigantic form; his hands and feet were armed with long talons. Fury glared in his eyes, which might have struck the bravest heart with terror. Over his huge shoulders waved two enormous sable wings; and his hair was supplied by living snakes, which twined themselves round his brows with frightful hissings."

O My, Yes!