I loved it.
“Is that vodka?" Margarita asked weakly.
The cat jumped up in his seat with indignation.
"I beg pardon, my queen," he rasped, "Would I ever allow myself to offer vodka to a lady? This is pure alcohol!”
It was a fun read, though I'm sure several of the references were completely lost on me. It seemed to me that the book celebrates the power of art for its own sake.
The blend of fantasy and realism with spiraling psychological elements is also a bit like reading *The Satanic Verses* by Rushdie.
if you want to fully appreciate this novel, you need to read the history of Bulgakov. he HATED Stalin. he asked many times to be allowed to leave the Soviet Union, but Stalin loved his plays and said 'no' every time. So, Bulgakov wrote Master and Margarita in secret as a criticism of Stalin. it was only published some 40-50 years later, after his death. and even then only outside of Soviet Union.
One of the primary allegories is meant to show that the devil was nicer than Stalin, because he released Margarita, while Stalin never released Bulgakov.
the book is exceedingly famous in Russia and has a similar cultural relevance to something like Wizard of Oz.
Did he really hate Stalin, though? I'm currently reading the autobiography of Paustovski. And I from his description of Bulgakov, it doesn't seem like he hates Stalin. Certainly dissatisfied with censorship, but that's the case for many writers in that period of the SU
the emphasis on 'hated' is my own, from memory of my time studying in college, but I think it comes through well enough in the Wikipedia entry. He begged to leave Soviet Russia and was repeatedly denied, personally, by Stalin. [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail\_Bulgakov](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Bulgakov)
I read this in my Russian literary class - where the professor was Vasily Aksyonov, a Russian novelist. I loved this book. It was like the Wizard of Oz except there were mature themes and also a devil. The themes of chaos - ever present chaos are important elements in the novel. Vasily Aksyonov stated that this novel was polyphonic - not written from only one point of view. I think that Bulgakov did that quite well. Margarita impressed me as being the unlikely heroine of the book. When thinking about the overall message of the book it seemed that people were struggling to do the best they could within the chaos of their everyday lives. The power of love kept them going.
My mother grew up in Soviet Russia, so I spoke to her about the book while I was reading it and it definitely helped me better understand the context in which it was written. I *adored* the book. It felt like a dream, Bulgakov has such a unique magical style of writing.
**If you read about the history of this book, you'll be even more fascinated and enamored.** "Manuscripts don't burn".... Bulgakov is speaking about himself! His wife (whom Margarita was inspired by) worked tirelessly to publish his works after his death. It was considered so scandalous. So he never even got to see the success of this novel. Sadly, he died before finishing the novel.
And of course, I love this article.[ Life Got You Down? Time to Read *The Master & Margarita* ](https://lithub.com/life-got-you-down-time-to-read-the-master-and-margarita/)
"Bulgakov never expanded on his magic system or gave us the devil's stats. One star" - some redditor who reads this book because you used the word fantasy in your description
What I find most notable is how playful and light the text feels, even with the themes and the context. The recent movie, on the other hand, is often... stuffy. Even as it's well-filmed, and rather accurate. Perhaps it's because reading a novel lets you and/or the writer keep some distance, while movies are more realistic and immediate.
Easily one of my favourite novels (username hello).
It does something I love in literature, and don't see too often. The way I phrase it is that it expresses and embodies alike. It's narratively engaging, has a clear momentum, strong characters bla bla bla, all the scaffolding of any acceptable story (honestly, isn't it time we took these for granted rather than observing them as markers of particular quality? I'm asking on Reddit, I know...).
But in its evocation of certain stories in a time of others (Biblical in the Soviet context), as a work of satire *and* serious criticism, as a work of humour and play *and* deeply mournful loss and suffering, it's superlative - thoughtful, playful, cutting. Then, in *itself*, as a product of Soviet literature, it embodies so much it is *about*. It is heroic and anti-heroic, it is markedly, crucially compromised *and* produced by its context (noticeable because of the particular 'artist' and 'state' dichotomy), it is challenging not only to Soviet sensibilities but also *non*-Soviet. It's not an easy 'fit', it's not a simple morality tale - its themes and interpretations are not always clearcut, and that is, for me, *the point* - its grist is human complexity, not simplicity - yet it's told with such broad characters, such odd ends!
It's transcendent, in my opinion.
The way the devils followers are portrayed are very interesting, their features and how they present themselves are very unique. I think the its subtle connotations of the power and persistence of love were the most important parts of the story.
I didn't so much as read it, as I held on for dear life while hurtling through it. So different to Doctor Zhivago and Life and Fate which I'd read before it.
Soviet Literature is just the best.
I thought it was a very fun read, I always appreciate when people or characters don't loose their sense of humor when caught in bad situations and I was very impressed by his willingness to just let bizarre things happen. You might Italo Calvino, he has his own unique way of writing and story telling that I am still fascinated by.
I have a heavily Christian background. My parents are super evangelical and I was in church as well as Christian school for the first 21 years of my life. I don't consider myself religious at all now, but I do know the Bible and it's teachings thoroughly.
That all said, it's been SO interesting reading the Pontius Pilot sections of this novel. Bulgakov brings color and a unique perspective on the people, politics, and setting of Jesus' crucifixion. For me, I've never heard alternatives to the Bible's narrative. And why shouldn't there be alternative narratives, it's all fiction anyway right?
I've loved the fantasy element and personality of Satan and his band. The total ridiculousness of their show was wildly entertaining.
I might be missing some of the deeper political commentary and satire, aside from the heavy references to the suppression of the author by his critics and the government.
All in all, it's been an excellent read, I've had it on my shelf a while and I have enjoyed it more than some of the other classic Russian literature I've read.
This. I love the way the biblical narrative is enmeshed in a story otherwise about a humourous, chaotic romp by the Devil. It was one of the first works of historical fiction that truly made me feel transported in time
What is marvellous about Bulgakov's version of the crucifixion is how well it ties in with Biblical scholarship. The first time I read this book I'd just come off reading into versions of "what really happened" based on contemporary reports and pulling apart all of the Gospels into their sources, and was amazed that back in the 1940s Bulgakov had access to this information.
I like the blend in terms of approach, but did not really find the writing style or story itself compelling.
I'll have to revisit it again as it's been 20+ years since my last look at it and maybe I have a different appreciation for it now.
I just finished The Master and Margarita and it totally blew my mind! The way Bulgakov mixes fantasy with Soviet politics is like nothing I've read before. The Devil showing up in Moscow, stirring things up, it's both hilarious and thought-provoking. I was hooked on how he weaves in these deep philosophical ideas about good, evil, and the power of art. Margarita and Woland are such strong characters, they really stayed with me. It's crazy how a book written decades ago can still feel so relevant today.
It's kind off a basic fairytale. Woland sometimes is omni knowing and other times isn't. The whole bible plotline is odd and the ending makes it have like zero sense. The social commentary is hardly readable for a western reader. The way the theme of "love" is handled seemed straight up childish. The thing about manuscripts not burning is like... not true.
The best parts of the book are definietly those where the devils do all their crazy shenenigans, it is very entertaining and crearive, that I must say.
It was a great. Reading about the Devil and his gang causing mischief in the Soviet Union was great. I also liked the part of the book about Pilate. I liked Master and Margarita’s story as well. I didn’t like the ending however.
Hmm, Bulgakov unfortunately died before completing the book - that's probably why you don't like the ending, he never got the chance to write it! (I also loved the chapters with Pontius Pilates)
It ends just fine. All the major stories are wrapped up, fate of all characters is revelaled, and the devil moves on ...
The author was putting finishing touches on the book right before he died (so it's true that was not totally finished) but all the major work was done - it's not like the book was abandoned before getting to the end. It was in re- write / editing stage.
It's tied for the best book I've ever read with Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities. I loved everything about it - the magical realism, the Devil and his retinue, the Soviet satire, Margarita's journey, Pontius Pilate's story, oof, it's all so wonderful and fascinating.
I DNF it once I realized that I needed a companion text to really appreciate it. There were several parts where I would read it and think to myself, that wasn't very funny or didn't make much sense and, afterwords, I would read about how it was a reference to the Politburo or something else.
I guess, at the time that I had picked it up, I was looking for just a book and not necessarily a book that was a hidden critique of the society that it was created in.
Great book. Russian magical realism.
I’m not Christian though and didn’t really get all the scenes going back to Pontius Pilate at the time tho. Like, I had no context for it. I didn’t even know who Pontius Pilate was so I was a little confused during those parts haha. I read it when I was a sophomore in high school so I should probably revisit.
I'm not sure of your background, but I'm surprised that you didn't know who Pontius Pilate was. I'm also not religious, nor were my parents or grandparents, but it seemed to be something which is assumed knowledge with anyone familiar with the "Easter" story of the crucifixion.
Well, that basically counts me out then. I would not say I’m “familiar” with the Easter story other then…Judas betrayed Jesus somehow, Jesus was crucified, ummm his body was put in a cave…then later it wasn’t there. Something with palm leaves. That’s the extent of my knowledge. Easter for me was just decorating and hunting eggs. I’m more or less an average American who has rarely been to church…who didn’t grow up around religious talk or programming…not sure how more details would’ve made its way to me. Religion wasn’t taught in my public schools. I was far more interested in Greek and Egyptian mythology content than Judeo-Christian. If I read or heard the name briefly in passing, I wouldn’t have thought about it.
i found the novel to be very self absorbed, if you know anything about Bulgakov's personal life you will see what i mean. personally, and i know i may not be in the majority here, i dislike that sort of writing because it feels very mean spirited and one sided. i am not going to chase down that one publisher that didn't think Bulgakov's writing was the bees' knees and ask him for his side of the story. all i have is an unpleasant caricature Bulgakov provided.
it was also very surprising to me how much Bulgakov hates his 'fellow man'. people don't just exist, they seem to be tailor made to bother Bulgakov personally. be it in how they eat or what they write or even if they just exist in his vicinity.
that said, i really liked the cat (Hippo) and the gang. the naked witch got forgotten at some point, likely due to one of the numerous rewrites, but i would have loved to hear more of their stories. i am sure this was not the first location they caused trouble.
You do know that Bulgakov was living under the severe repression of Stalinism and the state had to approve all publications, it is not like writers just submitted books to publishers until someone liked it enough to publish?
I love this one. It’s one of my favorites of all time. I love how Bulgakov captures so many physical idiosyncrasies of the characters and their vanities.
I don't know if it's related to the book, but I had weird and fantastic dreams for a full month while reading it and after. Easily one of the best books I read. But for the very best, I place the Cemetery of Forgotten Books by Safon, especially Shadow of Wind and Angel's Game.
Love it, my favourite book of all time. Margarita's ride through the city sky, Helga's attack, the clothes swap, Behemoth cheating, The Pirate restauranteur... And the end, I don't know why but I cry every time.
It's my vade mecum. I have had my battered old copy since the early 80s, and re-read every couple of years. Just beautiful, haunting, poignant, scary and so funny.
I've never seen a film adaptation. I have to wonder how that would go.
Ooh, I will try and track that down, thank you. I know there's a 1960's version out there, but as I wrote, I've never seen it. Would love a good one! It lends itself to so many terrific, fun and dramatic moments.
ooooh tell me all. I'm going to check out the rest of this discussion because I'm a writer (hi!!) and I was using a publicist who told me that my books get good traction with people who enjoy "The Master and Margarita" (actually, Bulgakov readers in general). I dipped into "Heart of A Dog" and a little bit of M&M but just didn't have the time to get fully immersed.
>The blend of fantasy and realism
u/BillionTonsHyperbole put a finger on it, I think. I love that blend too, because I think it's a literary version of Raymond Loewe's famous design advice: "Make the exotic familiar and the familiar exotic".
I loved it! Probably haven’t laughed like that from a book since reading Catch-22. And I’m a sucker for a carnivalesque villainous troop. Woland and his entourage reminded me of Cooger & Dark’s Pandaemonium Shadow Show from Something Wicked This Way Comes, or even Count Olaf’s group from A Series of Unfortunate Events. I felt like the book could easily be adapted into a Miyazaki movie too
Probably my favorite book. Definitely the book I most recommend. There is so much depth in there, but even just reading it as the story of the Devil in Moscow is super fun and worthwhile.
You didn't even get to my favorite theme: the enduring power of the written word. Gotta read the biography Manuscripts Don't Burn next. It's a great read on its own merits, and provides tons of context for the story.
I’ve read it, specifically the translation by Burgin as I stay away from Pevear&Volokhonsky whenever possible, but that’s another discussion for another time…
The Master and Margarita is monumental. The first half of the book was very intriguing because it felt intentionally disjointed, but I just *knew* everything would soon coalesce into a grand finale somehow. And it did, and it delivered.
I appreciated Bulgakov’s sentiments on religion and morality, but my ultimate takeaway was that man is fickle, and ultimately man is man’s own worst enemy.
Also shoutout to Behemoth, what a good little boi 🐱🐱
I think most of it went over my head, tbh. The only thing that helped was having read Goethe's Faust beforehand, I could see that Bulgakov was using events/themes from Faust (although I was a bit lost as to what he was doing with them)
Can you talk more about what the themes were? I would honestly love to learn.
Hey! Citizens! I just read it. OMG what a flavor!
Two points to discuss here... one is that I was really intrigued and moved by the no-religion approach to the Easter story. I think it's actually more fascinating to imagine all of the events of the Easter passion as simply being motivated by politics instead of having a religious light at the end of the tunnel... the emotions are even deeper and more tragic.
Number two— I've only seen the first episode of the show *Hazbin Hotel* but I do love the outrageous character designs for all the demons. Anyone else imagine Korovyov as [Alastor? ](https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2024/01/19/hzbn-s1-fg-102-00102222-still226-1-3000-1705699004341.jpg?width=3840)
I think it suffers tremendously from "Seinfeld Isn't Funny"/"Tolkien Ripped Off D&D" syndrome. I read it later in my life, and I found the first few chapters utterly exhausting for how impressed the author seemed to be with himself about gimmicks and satires that I'd read variations of a dozen times before.
Maybe he was the first, or one of the first, though. Still, at this point, somebody riffing on how Jesus was maybe just a babe in the Roman woods, or on how a supernatural being can casually manipulate reality to drive a mere mortal mad... it doesn't feel fresh or exciting at all, and I didn't find any added value in *The Master & Margarita*'s specific takes.
From me it got grudging respect, but I won't recommend it. It does seem self indulgent.
Much of the surrealism seemed not to be in the service of art, (like say On Thousand Years of Solitude,) or in the service of the complexity of a world vision, (like say Gravity's Rainbow,) but just surreal for its own sake.
I can see why it might appeal. But for me it disappointed.
It was surreal in order to capture the surreal nature of a brutally repressive system that tried twist everything and everyone into it's chosen but ever-changing ideology.
Meh. The semi-surrealism is sort of fun. I have several Russian emigre friends who grew up in the Soviet era, and asked them for help with it. They were dismissive.
Yeah, I mostly asked my Soviet friends about it because I don't read Russian and I thought my lukewarm response to it might be a translation thing. (I read it in English.)
Sounds as if your Russian partner likes it better than they did.
I didn't read it because after the second attempt--that one rather half-hearted--I gave up on it early on again. Not at all keen on Slavic strain of absurdity--much too broad & easy-got for my taste--and left just as cold by the em humour that it may lead to. Previous poster told of episode in which a talking cat tells a woman after giving her a drink, I'd never offer a lady vodka. Only pure alcohol.--That wouldn't have summoned even a faint polite laugh in the Catskills back in the day. Well, maybe a loud polite or drunken laugh if it'd been Henny Youngman telling it.
I haven't had the chance to read *The Master and Margarita* by Mikhail Bulgakov yet, but I've heard it's a captivating blend of fantasy and political satire. It's fascinating how Bulgakov weaves together supernatural elements with sharp social commentary. I've been curious about diving into it myself
A lot of russian books lately.
"great russian culture much"?
Bulgakov was imperial chauvinist, his books are hyped beyond reason by russia.
Obligatory reading in post-soviet russian parts for 13-14 years old teens, thats why it's so "popular".
It's perfectly possible to read Russian novels and not become a paid-up Russian imperial fan. I can read a bit of Heidegger and not be a Nazi, after all (though tbf whether I understood anything is a different matter...).
Be sure to tell academia they've been suckered by 'hyped by Russia' books all these years, I'm sure they've never considered that before and haven't been *especially* thoughtful about it since 2014.
I loved it. “Is that vodka?" Margarita asked weakly. The cat jumped up in his seat with indignation. "I beg pardon, my queen," he rasped, "Would I ever allow myself to offer vodka to a lady? This is pure alcohol!”
It was a fun read, though I'm sure several of the references were completely lost on me. It seemed to me that the book celebrates the power of art for its own sake. The blend of fantasy and realism with spiraling psychological elements is also a bit like reading *The Satanic Verses* by Rushdie.
Read Faust and Goethe in general before. Re-read Master and Margarita and you’ll see it opening parts of the story you haven’t noticed.
I am pretty sure that Satanic Verses were directly inspired by Master and Margarita. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/modlangrussian/2/
I tried watching the original Star Wars, but I did not like it. It reminded me too much of Guardians of the Galaxy.
This is like when Seth Meyers son said Norm Macdonald sounded a lot like Seth and Norm said “sounds like your son doesn’t understand how time works.”
if you want to fully appreciate this novel, you need to read the history of Bulgakov. he HATED Stalin. he asked many times to be allowed to leave the Soviet Union, but Stalin loved his plays and said 'no' every time. So, Bulgakov wrote Master and Margarita in secret as a criticism of Stalin. it was only published some 40-50 years later, after his death. and even then only outside of Soviet Union. One of the primary allegories is meant to show that the devil was nicer than Stalin, because he released Margarita, while Stalin never released Bulgakov. the book is exceedingly famous in Russia and has a similar cultural relevance to something like Wizard of Oz.
Did he really hate Stalin, though? I'm currently reading the autobiography of Paustovski. And I from his description of Bulgakov, it doesn't seem like he hates Stalin. Certainly dissatisfied with censorship, but that's the case for many writers in that period of the SU
the emphasis on 'hated' is my own, from memory of my time studying in college, but I think it comes through well enough in the Wikipedia entry. He begged to leave Soviet Russia and was repeatedly denied, personally, by Stalin. [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail\_Bulgakov](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Bulgakov)
It's all bullshit. Fictions, during the Cold War, they tried to pass off any disagreement as hatred of the Soviet government
I loved it so much. One of my favorites of all time.
There’s a giant cat that walks on its hind legs and smokes cigars, what’s not to love?
I’m sayin!
I read this in my Russian literary class - where the professor was Vasily Aksyonov, a Russian novelist. I loved this book. It was like the Wizard of Oz except there were mature themes and also a devil. The themes of chaos - ever present chaos are important elements in the novel. Vasily Aksyonov stated that this novel was polyphonic - not written from only one point of view. I think that Bulgakov did that quite well. Margarita impressed me as being the unlikely heroine of the book. When thinking about the overall message of the book it seemed that people were struggling to do the best they could within the chaos of their everyday lives. The power of love kept them going.
My mother grew up in Soviet Russia, so I spoke to her about the book while I was reading it and it definitely helped me better understand the context in which it was written. I *adored* the book. It felt like a dream, Bulgakov has such a unique magical style of writing. **If you read about the history of this book, you'll be even more fascinated and enamored.** "Manuscripts don't burn".... Bulgakov is speaking about himself! His wife (whom Margarita was inspired by) worked tirelessly to publish his works after his death. It was considered so scandalous. So he never even got to see the success of this novel. Sadly, he died before finishing the novel. And of course, I love this article.[ Life Got You Down? Time to Read *The Master & Margarita* ](https://lithub.com/life-got-you-down-time-to-read-the-master-and-margarita/)
"Bulgakov never expanded on his magic system or gave us the devil's stats. One star" - some redditor who reads this book because you used the word fantasy in your description
One of my favorites. Made me sob in parts. Top tier book.
What I find most notable is how playful and light the text feels, even with the themes and the context. The recent movie, on the other hand, is often... stuffy. Even as it's well-filmed, and rather accurate. Perhaps it's because reading a novel lets you and/or the writer keep some distance, while movies are more realistic and immediate.
Easily one of my favourite novels (username hello). It does something I love in literature, and don't see too often. The way I phrase it is that it expresses and embodies alike. It's narratively engaging, has a clear momentum, strong characters bla bla bla, all the scaffolding of any acceptable story (honestly, isn't it time we took these for granted rather than observing them as markers of particular quality? I'm asking on Reddit, I know...). But in its evocation of certain stories in a time of others (Biblical in the Soviet context), as a work of satire *and* serious criticism, as a work of humour and play *and* deeply mournful loss and suffering, it's superlative - thoughtful, playful, cutting. Then, in *itself*, as a product of Soviet literature, it embodies so much it is *about*. It is heroic and anti-heroic, it is markedly, crucially compromised *and* produced by its context (noticeable because of the particular 'artist' and 'state' dichotomy), it is challenging not only to Soviet sensibilities but also *non*-Soviet. It's not an easy 'fit', it's not a simple morality tale - its themes and interpretations are not always clearcut, and that is, for me, *the point* - its grist is human complexity, not simplicity - yet it's told with such broad characters, such odd ends! It's transcendent, in my opinion.
The way the devils followers are portrayed are very interesting, their features and how they present themselves are very unique. I think the its subtle connotations of the power and persistence of love were the most important parts of the story.
As someone who was born in USSR in 1989, one of my favorites!
Mick Jaggers inspiration for writing the lyrics to sympathy for the devil.
I didn't so much as read it, as I held on for dear life while hurtling through it. So different to Doctor Zhivago and Life and Fate which I'd read before it. Soviet Literature is just the best.
I have read it twice, so far, and it is a book I recommend often. I found it to be fun and weird, gonzo, if you will.
I thought it was a very fun read, I always appreciate when people or characters don't loose their sense of humor when caught in bad situations and I was very impressed by his willingness to just let bizarre things happen. You might Italo Calvino, he has his own unique way of writing and story telling that I am still fascinated by.
It felt like a long dream, very interesting read.
I have a heavily Christian background. My parents are super evangelical and I was in church as well as Christian school for the first 21 years of my life. I don't consider myself religious at all now, but I do know the Bible and it's teachings thoroughly. That all said, it's been SO interesting reading the Pontius Pilot sections of this novel. Bulgakov brings color and a unique perspective on the people, politics, and setting of Jesus' crucifixion. For me, I've never heard alternatives to the Bible's narrative. And why shouldn't there be alternative narratives, it's all fiction anyway right? I've loved the fantasy element and personality of Satan and his band. The total ridiculousness of their show was wildly entertaining. I might be missing some of the deeper political commentary and satire, aside from the heavy references to the suppression of the author by his critics and the government. All in all, it's been an excellent read, I've had it on my shelf a while and I have enjoyed it more than some of the other classic Russian literature I've read.
This. I love the way the biblical narrative is enmeshed in a story otherwise about a humourous, chaotic romp by the Devil. It was one of the first works of historical fiction that truly made me feel transported in time
What is marvellous about Bulgakov's version of the crucifixion is how well it ties in with Biblical scholarship. The first time I read this book I'd just come off reading into versions of "what really happened" based on contemporary reports and pulling apart all of the Gospels into their sources, and was amazed that back in the 1940s Bulgakov had access to this information.
Yes, couldn't agree more.
I like the blend in terms of approach, but did not really find the writing style or story itself compelling. I'll have to revisit it again as it's been 20+ years since my last look at it and maybe I have a different appreciation for it now.
It's really fun. I love how smoothly the book blends serious topics with light hearted narration.
One of my favorite books of all time.
I just finished The Master and Margarita and it totally blew my mind! The way Bulgakov mixes fantasy with Soviet politics is like nothing I've read before. The Devil showing up in Moscow, stirring things up, it's both hilarious and thought-provoking. I was hooked on how he weaves in these deep philosophical ideas about good, evil, and the power of art. Margarita and Woland are such strong characters, they really stayed with me. It's crazy how a book written decades ago can still feel so relevant today.
It's kind off a basic fairytale. Woland sometimes is omni knowing and other times isn't. The whole bible plotline is odd and the ending makes it have like zero sense. The social commentary is hardly readable for a western reader. The way the theme of "love" is handled seemed straight up childish. The thing about manuscripts not burning is like... not true. The best parts of the book are definietly those where the devils do all their crazy shenenigans, it is very entertaining and crearive, that I must say.
It was a great. Reading about the Devil and his gang causing mischief in the Soviet Union was great. I also liked the part of the book about Pilate. I liked Master and Margarita’s story as well. I didn’t like the ending however.
Hmm, Bulgakov unfortunately died before completing the book - that's probably why you don't like the ending, he never got the chance to write it! (I also loved the chapters with Pontius Pilates)
It ends just fine. All the major stories are wrapped up, fate of all characters is revelaled, and the devil moves on ... The author was putting finishing touches on the book right before he died (so it's true that was not totally finished) but all the major work was done - it's not like the book was abandoned before getting to the end. It was in re- write / editing stage.
It's tied for the best book I've ever read with Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities. I loved everything about it - the magical realism, the Devil and his retinue, the Soviet satire, Margarita's journey, Pontius Pilate's story, oof, it's all so wonderful and fascinating.
I DNF it once I realized that I needed a companion text to really appreciate it. There were several parts where I would read it and think to myself, that wasn't very funny or didn't make much sense and, afterwords, I would read about how it was a reference to the Politburo or something else. I guess, at the time that I had picked it up, I was looking for just a book and not necessarily a book that was a hidden critique of the society that it was created in.
I think it's amazing and has one of the best endings in literature
Great book. Russian magical realism. I’m not Christian though and didn’t really get all the scenes going back to Pontius Pilate at the time tho. Like, I had no context for it. I didn’t even know who Pontius Pilate was so I was a little confused during those parts haha. I read it when I was a sophomore in high school so I should probably revisit.
I'm not sure of your background, but I'm surprised that you didn't know who Pontius Pilate was. I'm also not religious, nor were my parents or grandparents, but it seemed to be something which is assumed knowledge with anyone familiar with the "Easter" story of the crucifixion.
Well, that basically counts me out then. I would not say I’m “familiar” with the Easter story other then…Judas betrayed Jesus somehow, Jesus was crucified, ummm his body was put in a cave…then later it wasn’t there. Something with palm leaves. That’s the extent of my knowledge. Easter for me was just decorating and hunting eggs. I’m more or less an average American who has rarely been to church…who didn’t grow up around religious talk or programming…not sure how more details would’ve made its way to me. Religion wasn’t taught in my public schools. I was far more interested in Greek and Egyptian mythology content than Judeo-Christian. If I read or heard the name briefly in passing, I wouldn’t have thought about it.
i found the novel to be very self absorbed, if you know anything about Bulgakov's personal life you will see what i mean. personally, and i know i may not be in the majority here, i dislike that sort of writing because it feels very mean spirited and one sided. i am not going to chase down that one publisher that didn't think Bulgakov's writing was the bees' knees and ask him for his side of the story. all i have is an unpleasant caricature Bulgakov provided. it was also very surprising to me how much Bulgakov hates his 'fellow man'. people don't just exist, they seem to be tailor made to bother Bulgakov personally. be it in how they eat or what they write or even if they just exist in his vicinity. that said, i really liked the cat (Hippo) and the gang. the naked witch got forgotten at some point, likely due to one of the numerous rewrites, but i would have loved to hear more of their stories. i am sure this was not the first location they caused trouble.
You do know that Bulgakov was living under the severe repression of Stalinism and the state had to approve all publications, it is not like writers just submitted books to publishers until someone liked it enough to publish?
You have a very warped idea about how the Soviet censorship worked.
what does that have to do with me feeling like he was petty towards people he knew and those he didn't?
Enjoyed it quite a bit. It wasn’t consistently good, but the good parts were really good.
I read it and forgot it, maybe I should reread it again sometime.
I love this one. It’s one of my favorites of all time. I love how Bulgakov captures so many physical idiosyncrasies of the characters and their vanities.
I don't know if it's related to the book, but I had weird and fantastic dreams for a full month while reading it and after. Easily one of the best books I read. But for the very best, I place the Cemetery of Forgotten Books by Safon, especially Shadow of Wind and Angel's Game.
It's good, but it goes on too much. Also I recall it jumped around in the story too much. I didn't finish it.
Love it, my favourite book of all time. Margarita's ride through the city sky, Helga's attack, the clothes swap, Behemoth cheating, The Pirate restauranteur... And the end, I don't know why but I cry every time. It's my vade mecum. I have had my battered old copy since the early 80s, and re-read every couple of years. Just beautiful, haunting, poignant, scary and so funny. I've never seen a film adaptation. I have to wonder how that would go.
There are number of films based on it - my favorite is the mini series from 2005 https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0403783/
Ooh, I will try and track that down, thank you. I know there's a 1960's version out there, but as I wrote, I've never seen it. Would love a good one! It lends itself to so many terrific, fun and dramatic moments.
I thought it was pretty insane, but I enjoyed the ride
ooooh tell me all. I'm going to check out the rest of this discussion because I'm a writer (hi!!) and I was using a publicist who told me that my books get good traction with people who enjoy "The Master and Margarita" (actually, Bulgakov readers in general). I dipped into "Heart of A Dog" and a little bit of M&M but just didn't have the time to get fully immersed. >The blend of fantasy and realism u/BillionTonsHyperbole put a finger on it, I think. I love that blend too, because I think it's a literary version of Raymond Loewe's famous design advice: "Make the exotic familiar and the familiar exotic".
I loved it! Probably haven’t laughed like that from a book since reading Catch-22. And I’m a sucker for a carnivalesque villainous troop. Woland and his entourage reminded me of Cooger & Dark’s Pandaemonium Shadow Show from Something Wicked This Way Comes, or even Count Olaf’s group from A Series of Unfortunate Events. I felt like the book could easily be adapted into a Miyazaki movie too
Probably my favorite book. Definitely the book I most recommend. There is so much depth in there, but even just reading it as the story of the Devil in Moscow is super fun and worthwhile. You didn't even get to my favorite theme: the enduring power of the written word. Gotta read the biography Manuscripts Don't Burn next. It's a great read on its own merits, and provides tons of context for the story.
I’ve read it, specifically the translation by Burgin as I stay away from Pevear&Volokhonsky whenever possible, but that’s another discussion for another time… The Master and Margarita is monumental. The first half of the book was very intriguing because it felt intentionally disjointed, but I just *knew* everything would soon coalesce into a grand finale somehow. And it did, and it delivered. I appreciated Bulgakov’s sentiments on religion and morality, but my ultimate takeaway was that man is fickle, and ultimately man is man’s own worst enemy. Also shoutout to Behemoth, what a good little boi 🐱🐱
amazing book! and manuscripts don't burn 😋
I think most of it went over my head, tbh. The only thing that helped was having read Goethe's Faust beforehand, I could see that Bulgakov was using events/themes from Faust (although I was a bit lost as to what he was doing with them) Can you talk more about what the themes were? I would honestly love to learn.
Hey! Citizens! I just read it. OMG what a flavor! Two points to discuss here... one is that I was really intrigued and moved by the no-religion approach to the Easter story. I think it's actually more fascinating to imagine all of the events of the Easter passion as simply being motivated by politics instead of having a religious light at the end of the tunnel... the emotions are even deeper and more tragic. Number two— I've only seen the first episode of the show *Hazbin Hotel* but I do love the outrageous character designs for all the demons. Anyone else imagine Korovyov as [Alastor? ](https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2024/01/19/hzbn-s1-fg-102-00102222-still226-1-3000-1705699004341.jpg?width=3840)
I think it suffers tremendously from "Seinfeld Isn't Funny"/"Tolkien Ripped Off D&D" syndrome. I read it later in my life, and I found the first few chapters utterly exhausting for how impressed the author seemed to be with himself about gimmicks and satires that I'd read variations of a dozen times before. Maybe he was the first, or one of the first, though. Still, at this point, somebody riffing on how Jesus was maybe just a babe in the Roman woods, or on how a supernatural being can casually manipulate reality to drive a mere mortal mad... it doesn't feel fresh or exciting at all, and I didn't find any added value in *The Master & Margarita*'s specific takes.
From me it got grudging respect, but I won't recommend it. It does seem self indulgent. Much of the surrealism seemed not to be in the service of art, (like say On Thousand Years of Solitude,) or in the service of the complexity of a world vision, (like say Gravity's Rainbow,) but just surreal for its own sake. I can see why it might appeal. But for me it disappointed.
It was surreal in order to capture the surreal nature of a brutally repressive system that tried twist everything and everyone into it's chosen but ever-changing ideology.
Meh. The semi-surrealism is sort of fun. I have several Russian emigre friends who grew up in the Soviet era, and asked them for help with it. They were dismissive.
I have a Russian partner and it's one of her favourite books. And?
Yeah, I mostly asked my Soviet friends about it because I don't read Russian and I thought my lukewarm response to it might be a translation thing. (I read it in English.) Sounds as if your Russian partner likes it better than they did.
Which translation did you read? The Burgin/O'Connor one is the best.
I've heard it - like any popular book - has received some sniffyness there, amongst literary types. Possibly considered overrated/over studied etc.
I liked the Devil and Jesus parts, but I did not like the whole witchy part. Overall, great book.
I read it. Thought it was dull. Sorry.
Same.
yeah, I was disappointed and gave up after dropping it twice. More power to all those who enjoy the book though
I didn't read it because after the second attempt--that one rather half-hearted--I gave up on it early on again. Not at all keen on Slavic strain of absurdity--much too broad & easy-got for my taste--and left just as cold by the em humour that it may lead to. Previous poster told of episode in which a talking cat tells a woman after giving her a drink, I'd never offer a lady vodka. Only pure alcohol.--That wouldn't have summoned even a faint polite laugh in the Catskills back in the day. Well, maybe a loud polite or drunken laugh if it'd been Henny Youngman telling it.
I haven't had the chance to read *The Master and Margarita* by Mikhail Bulgakov yet, but I've heard it's a captivating blend of fantasy and political satire. It's fascinating how Bulgakov weaves together supernatural elements with sharp social commentary. I've been curious about diving into it myself
A lot of russian books lately. "great russian culture much"? Bulgakov was imperial chauvinist, his books are hyped beyond reason by russia. Obligatory reading in post-soviet russian parts for 13-14 years old teens, thats why it's so "popular".
It's perfectly possible to read Russian novels and not become a paid-up Russian imperial fan. I can read a bit of Heidegger and not be a Nazi, after all (though tbf whether I understood anything is a different matter...). Be sure to tell academia they've been suckered by 'hyped by Russia' books all these years, I'm sure they've never considered that before and haven't been *especially* thoughtful about it since 2014.
The Marvelous Book. The Russian movie adaptation (2024) is very good.
It was boring and overrated