Matthew Gregory Lewis

The New Monk (Gothic Classics) Matthew Gregory Lewis

First appearing in 1798 during the scandal that followed the publication of M. G. Lewis's The Monk, The New Monk is a ruthless parody of Lewis's Gothic masterpiece.

In this dismantling of the Monk tale by "R. S., Esq.", Lewis's Spanish monk Ambrosio is replaced by Joshua Pentateuch, a Methodist minister in London. Like Lewis's monk, Joshua is renowned for his piety and eloquence. But this monk is willing to sell his soul, not to possess a beautiful woman, but to get his hands on her money...and a juicy leg of mutton.

Ostensibly a scathing indictment of Lewis's immorality and an attempt to ridicule his novel, The New Monk ironically descends to a level even more grotesque and shocking than The Monk. Out of print since its initial publication more than two centuries ago and available in only a handful of libraries worldwide, The New Monk remains fascinating both as Gothic parody and as a unique look at the 1790s London where Gothic novels were being created and consumed. This edition features a new introduction and notes by Elizabeth Andrews as well as explanatory footnotes.