Meet New Books
Book Cover

The Master and Margarita

Save:
Find on Amazon

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov is a novel that delves into a mix of fantastical elements and historical allegories. The story follows the devil's arrival in Moscow, causing chaos and mischief among the characters. Intertwined with this modern-day narrative is the retelling of the crucifixion from Pontius Pilate's perspective, adding depth and complexity to the plot. The writing style is described as rich, vivid, and at times meandering, blending satire with magical realism to create a unique reading experience.

Characters:

The characters are colorful and dynamic, with the Devil serving as both a trickster and a judge, while Margarita and the Master navigate love and repression.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its surrealism, humor, and deeply engaging prose that contrasts absurdity with serious themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot of the novel revolves around the chaos unleashed by the Devil in Moscow, intertwining themes of love, censorship, and good vs. evil.

Setting:

The setting alternates between oppressive 1930s Moscow and the tumultuous days of Jesus's trial in Jerusalem, creating a stark juxtaposition.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow and complex but quickens in the latter half as the intertwining plots come together.
At the hour of sunset, on a hot spring day, two citizens appeared in the Patriarchs’ Ponds Park. One, about forty, in a gray summer suit, was short, plump, dark-haired and partly bald. He carried his ...

Notes:

The Master and Margarita is a novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, written during the 1930s but published posthumously in 1966.
The story intertwines three main plotlines: the Devil's visit to Moscow, the love story of the Master and Margarita, and the retelling of the crucifixion of Christ.
The character of Woland represents the Devil and is part of Bulgakov's critique of Stalinist society in the Soviet Union.
The large black cat character, Behemoth, is known for its humorous and mischievous antics, often serving as a comedic figure.
Bulgakov burned an early draft of the novel, believing it would never be published, showing his struggle with censorship.
The theme of cowardice is a significant motif in the novel, particularly illustrated through the character of Pontius Pilate.
The book features magical realism, combining fantastical elements with real historical events and critiques of government.
When it was first published, the novel stirred controversy and became a literary sensation in the Soviet Union, regarded as a testament to artistic freedom.
The phrase 'manuscripts don’t burn' reflects the enduring power of art and the inability of oppressive regimes to fully erase creative expression.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes of violence, mental illness, and existential despair.

Has Romance?

The novel contains a significant romantic storyline focused on the relationship between the Master and Margarita.

From The Publisher:

Suppressed in the Soviet Union for twenty-six years, Mikhail Bulgakov's masterpiece is an ironic parable of power and its corruption, good and evil, and human frailty and the strength of love. Featuring Satan, accompanied by a retinue that includes the large, fast-talking, vodka drinking black tom cat Behemoth, the beautiful Margarita, her beloved-a distraught writer known only as the Master-Pontius Pilate, and Jesus Christ, The Master and Margarita combines fable, fantasy, political satire, and slapstick comedy into a wildly entertaining and unforgettable tale that is commonly considered one of the greatest novels ever to come out of the Soviet Union.

Ratings (124)

Incredible (43)
Loved It (41)
Liked It (20)
It Was OK (11)
Did Not Like (7)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (317):

Read It (122)
Currently Reading (9)
Want To Read (138)
Did Not Finish (11)
Not Interested (37)

4 comment(s)

Loved It
6 days

This was yet another Reread. Last time I picked it up as 2021. Its a good book but one of those kinds I feel I struggle a bit remembering. Its quite weird but interestingly weird.

____

This was a book I've wanted to reread since I first listened to it in 2020 so not very long ago. I got a hold on it in my library and eagerly started reading. While it's still a very good book, I didn't quite love it as much as the first time so I'll knock it down to 4.5 stars

 
Liked It
3 months

I tried really hard to like this one, but I ultimately found it fairly dull and didn't understand the point. The Biblical re-telling was more interesting than the Russian literary plot in my opinion.

 
It Was OK
3 months

Me habían hablado muy bien de este libro además de que es un clasico y todo eso.

No esta mal, pero no entiendo realmente a qué quería llegar el autor.

Hay partes que supongo que son comicas y otras partes serias y la parte de Jerusalem que no sé exactamente qué está intentando hacer.

Los clásicos suelen ser valor seguro, este me ha defraudado bastante.

 
6 months

DNF @ 15%.

Too weird for me. I didn't really realize how much of the story was historical fiction about Pontius Pilate. Maybe I'll come back to it at some point.

 

About the Author:

Mikhail Bulgakov was born in Kiev, Ukraine, in 1891. At the outbreak of World War I, Bulgakov joined the Red Cross, and he graduated from Kiev University medical school in 1916. After graduation, Bulgakov joined the White Army, which opposed the rising Bolshevik presence in Russia, and he served as a field doctor in the Caucuses during the Civil War. After his family was forced into exile, in Paris, when the Soviets secured the government, Bulgakov became a journalist.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.