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The Monk
The Monk
Jul 16, 2025 2:11 AM

Author:Matthew Lewis,Christopher MacLachlan

The Monk

Ambrosio, the worthy superior of the Capuchins of Madrid, falls to the temptations of Matilda, a fiend-inspired wanton who, disguised as a boy, has entered his monastery as a novice. Ambrosio then falls in love with one of his penitents and finally kills her in order to escape detection. However, he is discovered, tortured by the Inquisition and sentenced to death. Although extravagant in its mixture of the supernatural, the terrible, and the indecent, the book contains scenes of great effect. The novel is a prime example of 18th century Gothic, written partly in response to Walpole and Radcliffe and enjoyed a considerable contemporary vogue.

Reviews

Durham combines sharp political manoeuvering with some breathtaking action sequences and equally sharp prose. He writes with great clarity. sweeping you up in the grandeur of his epic vision

—— SFX magazine

Following in the footsteps of George R. R. Martin...a riveting and thought-provoking read

—— REALMS OF FANTASY magazine

A big, fat, rich piece of history-flavoured fantasy...imagined with remarkable thoroughness

—— TIME magazine

An outrageous and exhilarating foul-mouthed book

—— Sunday Times

Vintage Welsh: Brilliant, graphic, with frequent forays into the grotesque

—— Sunday Tribune

This is Welsh's tightest narrative structure in some time, and a pleasing change of pace after his previous two novels...a carefully considered blend of three-dimensional realism and expertly judged modern gothic horror. Welsh is such a convincing writer that you never doubt his plot for a moment

—— Literary Review

The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs is Welsh back on cracking, page-turning, stomach-churning, gut-busting form. You'll whiz through it, in a good way

—— Independent

Rattles along with impressive energy

—— Daily Telegraph

The great liberation of Welsh's writing is it's ability to capture the lust for freedom...the most touching and beautiful of his writings...if her carries on like this he'll start dragging the place [Scotland] back to the bloody enlightenment

—— Independent

This transitional phase in his life is has been mirrored by a new direction in Welsh's writing as evinced by this new book, The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs. The novel is less visceral than his past work and is more in dialogue with Celtic writers such a Oscar Wilde than it is music, the form he has long claimed his inspiration

—— GQ

Welsh gives more than a passing nod to Dorian Gray in this latest outing...in a supernatural twist Welsh unleahes his usual irresistible mayhem

—— Herald

This, his eighth work of fiction since Trainspotting, has all the ingredients of his earlier success. I found it funny, dark and readable, showing the author on good form

—— The Times

Irvine Welsh's novel is...a powerful and intelligent fable about human emotions and behaviour

—— Sunday Telegraph

A beautifully controlled novel

—— Literary Review

There's plenty here to pull you in and, it must be said, I do really like the cover

—— meandmybigmouth Blog

Stories, generations and nationalities collide in what is an entertaining and superior novel

—— Lesley McDowell , Independent on Sunday
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