The monk and the hangman's daughter by Danziger, Bierce, and Voss

"The Monk and the Hangman's Daughter" by Adolphe Danziger De Castro and Ambrose Bierce is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative explores the complex interplay of love, social justice, and morality, focusing on the lives of Benedicta, the daughter of a hangman, and Ambrosius, a young monk. Set against a backdrop of religious and societal constraints, the story delves into themes of compassion and the human condition in a harsh world. The opening of the novel introduces us to Brother Ambrosius, a young monk who embarks on a journey with his companions to their new monastery in a foreboding mountainous region. As they navigate through the wild, Ambrosius reflects on their faith, their duty to God, and his own struggles with temptation. Upon encountering a gallows and the young girl, Benedicta, who cares for the body of a hanged man, the tension between societal perceptions and individual compassion is established. The narrative showcases Ambrosius's internal conflict as he feels drawn to Benedicta, whom society condemns due to her father's profession, setting the stage for a profound exploration of love, sacrifice, and the search for redemption throughout the story. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Danziger, Adolphe, 1859-1959
Author Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914?
Author Voss, Richard, 1851-1918
Title The monk and the hangman's daughter
Note An adaptation from the German of Richard Voss.
Credits Produced by David Widger
Reading Level Reading ease score: 77.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Monks -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 38602
Release Date
Last Update Mar 21, 2026
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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