The Monk: A Romance


Read by James K. White

(4.5 stars; 179 reviews)

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

Introduction/Preface/Advertisement 38:08 Read by James K. White
Chapter I (part 1) 41:52 Read by James K. White
Chapter I (part 2) 26:29 Read by James K. White
Chapter II (part 1) 58:28 Read by James K. White
Chapter II (part 2) 56:28 Read by James K. White
Chapter III (part 1) 33:56 Read by James K. White
Chapter III (part 2) 40:47 Read by James K. White
Chapter IV (part 1) 58:54 Read by James K. White
Chapter IV (part 2) 43:58 Read by James K. White
Chapter IV (part 3) 28:27 Read by James K. White
Chapter V (part 1) 35:52 Read by James K. White
Chapter V (part 2) 31:53 Read by James K. White
Chapter VI (part 1) 46:01 Read by James K. White
Chapter VI (part 2) 24:49 Read by James K. White
Chapter VII 53:27 Read by James K. White
Chapter VIII 50:15 Read by James K. White
Chapter IX (part 1) 46:18 Read by James K. White
Chapter IX (part 2) 37:32 Read by James K. White
Chapter X (part 1) 41:37 Read by James K. White
Chapter X (part 2) 30:11 Read by James K. White
Chapter XI (part 1) 41:21 Read by James K. White
Chapter XI (part 2) 55:41 Read by James K. White
Chapter XII 55:14 Read by James K. White

Reviews

gripping, ghastly, & some funny parts


(4.5 stars)

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.

S-class narration


(5 stars)

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

The Monk: A Romance


(4 stars)

This was a great read. There were so many twists and turns to the plot that I'm going to have to listen to it again to get everything straight! The reader was superb!

Ultimate Gothic Melodrama


(5 stars)

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.

a gem of a story


(5 stars)

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!


(3.5 stars)

Voice work was solid. A for effort. It’s an older style of prose in this novel and boy can you tell. If you don’t mind that this is a fine story.

Great Reader!


(4 stars)

James White does a wonderful job reading this steamy gothic novel from 1796. Matthew Gregory Lewis wrote the book in ten weeks when he was nineteen years old.

Listener warning.


(4 stars)

Good story, good reading, though I skipped the poetry. Readers should be warned that the story contains descriptions of sexual abuse and assault.