The Monk

Set in 18th-century Spain, the story follows Ambrosio, a revered monk who succumbs to temptation through his pupil Matilda, disguised as a boy. As his desires spiral out of control, he becomes infatuated with the innocent Antonia, leading to a tragic seduction orchestrated by Matilda, who reveals her true identity as Satan. The novel explores themes of lust, moral decay, and the consequences of yielding to evil, marking it as a pioneering work in the Gothic genre, notorious for its provocative content and dramatic narrative.