Matthew Gregory Lewis (1775-1818) published The Monk: A Romance to great sensation and scandal in 1796 - before he was 21 - made even more so when it was revealed that the author was a member of Parliament. The book is a prime example of Gothic horror. Often imitated, adapted numerous times for stage and screen, The Monk is one of the most important Gothic novels of its time. Poetic Justice Books Classics presents Lewis' original 1796 text of The Monk, as published before the various revisions made by Lewis and his publishers in attempts to avoid charges of blasphemy. The 1797 review of the book by Samuel Taylor Coleridge from the prestigious Critical Review is included as a bonus.