The Monk: A Romance
Gelesen von James K. White
Matthew Lewis
(4,516 Sterne; 125 Bewertungen)
Matthew Gregory Lewis's The Monk: A Romance is a story of frustrated and unrequited desire between mentor and pupil mixed with elements of the supernatural. It includes several subplots: rape, torture and incest. It is the old story of the forces of good versus the forces of evil, except that in this one evil comes out ahead.
When The Monk was first published in 1795, it was received well by readers and reviewers causing a second edition to be printed the following year. But by the third year, there began a growing criticism of the book and of Lewis mostly on the basis of immorality. In fact, the book caused such a scandal that Lewis published another version complete with redactions and entire rewrites so as to remove the shame it had brought upon his family and the political institution of which he was a part.
The Monk finds itself straddling the genres of Gothicism and Decadence, and includes elements of Romanticism. Lewis also chose to blend the roles of gender in this work--particularly in the character of Rosario/Matilda. The sexual tension between Ambrosio and this character--along with the eventual revelation of true identity--are an exposé on the topic of same-sex love and makes this work an early contribution to LGBT literature.
In spite of the mountains of criticism against the book, it remained a best seller well into the 19th century. The version I will read for you is the unexpurgated version including all of the “scandal and immorality” of the original. (Introduction by James K. White) (16 hr 17 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
gripping, ghastly, & some funny parts
Jamie
(4,5 Sterne)
This is a great reading. The reader pronounces all of the names with an accurate Spanish accent, and his voice is engaging and easy to follow. Sometimes, the poems are just really slow and long, and I’ll zone out during those. Overall, a very engaging experience with a spicy and sometimes utterly shocking novel.
thankyou reader
esk8morgan
(4 Sterne)
thank you. I don't think I could have made it through this tedious tale for uni without your reading!
a gem of a story
Bruce G
(5 Sterne)
This story is well worth reading, the story development is outstanding! A many faceted ruby of a story. Very well read through out the story. Thank you for your reading!
S-class narration
(5 Sterne)
the phonetic ability of the reader is excellent across all the languages that appear. Setting-appropriate tone and tempo and comfortable color of his voice only bring it further
amazing
Yumi
(5 Sterne)
the best book I've listened to this year so far ❤️great book and beautiful voice 👍
Wonderful
Kuzarimax
(5 Sterne)
Superb recording by James. Help me enjoy a long but interesting book.
Ultimate Gothic Melodrama
Kristin P.
(5 Sterne)
This story is nothing if not wantonly salacious; don’t go looking for anything lofty or edifying in this book! The author basically throws every possible horrifying and gruesome plot device at the story, replete with sorcery and hell’s minions. Villains are bloodthirsty and relentless, the damsels are pure and pathetically helpless, and there’s really no character development. But if you’re aware that this is essentially a penny dreadful, it’s fun, fantastical, and easy to listen to.
Great narration.
Stephen RF
(5 Sterne)
I wouldn't have read this novel and continue to at various times if it wasn't the reader, tank you. For the time it was first published the work must have been nicely shocking, A gothic classic?