Scandalous and scintillating, The Monk is a Gothic classic published in 1796 before the author’s 20th birthday. It is among the most important Gothic novels of its era, often adapted for the stage and films. As the novel begins… Leonella and her niece Antonia have arrived at a Madrid church to hear the sermon of priest, Ambrosio. Antonia’s Grandfather is the Marquis de las Cisternas, who was unhappy with his son’s marriage and has cut off their pension. Lorenzo vows to marry Antonia, but she is pregnant with the child of Raymond de las Cisternas and Ambrosio turns her over to the prioress of her abbey for punishment.