The Master and Margarita | Mikhail Bulgakov

The Master and Margarita | Mikhail Bulgakov | A look behind the mirror

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The Master and Mar...

	The Master and Margarita Mikhail Bulgakov Vintage, 1996 - 384 pages average customer review:based on 341 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Faust on acid.

Written in the 1930's, not published until the late 1960's, a quarter-century after the author's death, this is an amazing book. Any short description I provide is necessarily reductive - it's a reworking of the Faust legend, with an embedded exploration of the story of Pontius Pilate, in which the devil and his retinue visit Stalinist Moscow. From this premise, the author produces a scathing satire of the politics of his time (fully aware that the book would not, and could not, be published during his lifetime), as well as an extremely thought-provoking discussion of the role of the artist, and the necessity of mercy and forgiveness.

What I really liked about the book is the way he wraps some fairly deep themes into a hilarious story - we are given some hugely enjoyable tall tales by a mischievous, extremely funny narrator. The style is reminiscent of Flann O' Brien at his most coruscating; despite broad swipes at some fairly obvious targets, the overall story is uplifting, as the reader finally comes to the realization that Woland (the Satan-figure) is actually working on the same side as the Jesus-figure.

It's obvious why, upon its delayed publication, this book immediately achieved the status of a classic of modern Russian literature. A completely unexpected delight - I highly recommend this book.

The version I read was a translation by Diana Burgin and Katherine Tiernan O' Connor. Annotations and an afterword by Ellendea Proffer are based on 'two main texts' of the novel, one published in 1973 and one in 1989.

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A look behind the mirror

Having lived in Russia and read many Russian titles, Master & Margarita is on the top, particularly during Soviet times. Like much art and literature during those repressive times, Bulgakov clearly hides his message under the hilarious cynicism of his colorful prose. There are not enough stars for this masterpiece. I am reading it the second time. My favorite.

Frederick R. Andresen, Author of "Walking on Ice, An American Businessman in Russia."

Mind boggling

I asked a friend from St. Petersburg what I should read after the War and Peace translation (P&V) I just finished. He suggested this. It makes W&P look like a comic book. This book is taking me longer to read (I'm slow), and I feel the urge to buy the commentary, which will really slow me down. If you read this book you will think you are going insane!

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My favorite book EVER!!!!!

My mom read this and insisted that Bulgakov must have been on drugs to create this. My mother-in-law told me it gave her nightmares for weeks. Personally, I'm not on drugs and I slept like a baby after reading The Master and Margarita, but these reactions just go to show you that this book incites strong feelings- as it was meant to. If you have any knowledge of Russian history, you must read this book. If you have a strong imagination, you must read this book.
This particular translation is the BEST one so far and does a very good job of drawing the reader in.

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It's like Dosteovsky on acid

This the most bizarre book I've read in a long time--maybe ever. It is also an amazing story, or stories told in a fun and entertaining way. This is a must read for fans of Russian literature. I have to confess that I was not able to pick up many of the allusions to Soviet Russia. That's probably not something you'd get unless you read this in Russian and had a good understanding of Bulgakov's period. Bulgakov also weaves Christians themes in the novel, mainly through a storyline about Pontius Pilate. However, this storyline is completely unlike the Biblical account. It is unclear what theological points Bulgakov was making if any. Regardless, it is an entertaining book which will stimulate your imagination. 3.5 stars

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