This is one of Radcliffe's two best novels, the other being "The Mysteries of Udolpho". A little excursion into literary history will clear up the confusion of the reviewer who feels that Radcliffe copied Lewis' "The Monk". If any copying was done, it was the other way around. At the time Lewis began writing, Radcliffe was the top Gothic novelist, and one of the most popular authors of any genre. Lewis, himself, stated that he was inspired to write "The Monk" after reading "Udolpho". (In fact, Radcliffe's mastery of the gothic influenced such poets as Byron and Keats, who called her "mother Radcliffe" for her legacy, and many other writers of her day and far beyond.) Among her major influences were Shakespeare, Milton, and Walpole, who basically founded the gothic novel. But Radcliffe took it to a new and higher level than Walpole, and Lewis took off from Radcliffe's new elevation, and went in another, though not necessarily higher, direction. Having read both "The Italian" and "The Monk" (my copies rest amiably next to one another on the shelf), I would say they are BOTH very much worth reading (as is "Udolpho"). Reading "Udolpho" first, and then "The Monk", will demonstrate how much Lewis drew his inspiration from the master. Reading "The Italian" will show that master at once at the peak and, unfortunately, the close of her literary career.
