The Monk Book Review

Love (or lust, couched as love), can change us in unexpected ways. Add in religion to the mix and trouble is likely to be on the horizon.

In the 1796 novel, The Monk, by Matthew Lewis, is set in Madrid. Ambrosio, the Abbot of a Capuchin monastery is known his community as a pious, respectable and chaste man. That is, until he meets a teenage girl who gets the snake out the cage. Lust and desire for this girl takes over, which leads to rape, murder and a whole host of unsavory activities.

Jane Austen fans, especially those who have read Northanger Abbey, will surely be familiar with this book as Austen satirizes The Monk and other Gothic fiction that was popular in her day.

I will say that The Monk is not an easy read for modern readers. It was published in the style that was standard for the genre and the period. However, I found myself lost in the story and I almost put it down. That being said, there are underlying themes and narratives which still resonate today, which I suppose is one of the reasons why we keep reading this book.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

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The Generation That Dies in School

Every generation is known for something.

The generation that lived through the Depression and World War II is known as the Greatest Generation. Their children are the Baby Boomer generation. My generation, otherwise known as Generation Y (aka Millennial’s or echo boomers) is known for the technology that become ingrained in our world.

I am convinced that the current generation that is growing up in 2019 will be the generation that dies in school. Too many young people have died in school shootings over the last few years. The most recent shooting happened earlier today in Colorado. One student was killed and seven were injured.

After Sandy Hook, after Parkland, after the UNC shooting last week, I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Our kids should not be dying in school because of guns. They should be learning so they can one day become responsible and prosperous adults. They should not be afraid to go to school. On the same token, their parents should not be afraid to send their kids to school, not knowing if they will see their kids at the end of the school day.

I have no problem with the 2nd Amendment. I have no problems with people who purchase guns legally, are of sound mind and use their firearms in appropriate situations.

What I do have a problem with is that our leaders continue to allow murders of innocent children in the classrooms to happen. When did the 2nd Amendment and guns become more important than our children?

May the memory of the student killed be a blessing to their loves ones. And may we, once and for all, do something so this generation does not become the one who dies in school.

Have You Thanked a Teacher Today?

Teaching, from my perspective, is an undervalued, under-payed and underappreciated profession.

And yet, teachers have the most important job in the world: they educate the next generation.

Today is National Teacher Appreciation Day. As a former student and a close relation of teachers, my respect for those who enter this profession is unwavering. It takes a lot to stand in front of a group of students and do the best you can to prepare them for the world outside of the classroom. It also takes up time and money, as many teachers do work outside of the classroom and often have to pay for their own supplies.

The problem, is that in our society, we pay performers and athletes millions of dollars a year and no one bats an eye. But teachers are often paid less than a living wage or have to go on strike to receive a reasonable wage and/or benefits. From my perspective, given how important their jobs are, it’s time that teachers receive not only a reasonable salary/benefits, but respect.

It’s time that teachers receive the appreciation and the pay that they deserve.

Have you thanked a teacher today?