"The Monk: A Romance" is a gothic novel by M.G. Lewis, first published in 1796. It follows the story of Ambrosio, a monk who is regarded as the epitome of piety and purity but is eventually revealed to be a hypocrite and libertine. The novel explores themes of corruption, sexual desire, and the dangers of unchecked power. It is considered a classic of gothic literature and was highly controversial for its time due to its graphic and explicit content.