Moscow, 1929: a city that has lost its way amid corruption and fear, inhabited by people who have abandoned their morals and forsaken spirituality. But when a mysterious stranger arrives in town with a bizarre entourage that includes a giant talking cat and a fanged assassin, all hell breaks loose. Among those caught up in the strange and inexplicable events that transpire in the capital are the Master, a writer whose life has been destroyed by Soviet repression, and his beloved Margarita. Their adventures reveal a story ...
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Moscow, 1929: a city that has lost its way amid corruption and fear, inhabited by people who have abandoned their morals and forsaken spirituality. But when a mysterious stranger arrives in town with a bizarre entourage that includes a giant talking cat and a fanged assassin, all hell breaks loose. Among those caught up in the strange and inexplicable events that transpire in the capital are the Master, a writer whose life has been destroyed by Soviet repression, and his beloved Margarita. Their adventures reveal a story that began two thousand years ago in ancient Jerusalem - and its resolution will decide their fate. Considered one of the finest creations of Russian literature in the 20th century, The Master and Margarita is an amazing work of fantasy, a love story, a biting satire on Soviet life, and a lot more. Mikhail Bulgakov's last book and crowning achievement, it has been written in secrecy, burned and restored, and banned for decades. Its author, who worked on it until his final days, never saw it in print. This new translation faithfully reproduces the style and idiomatic flow of the text, so that English-speaking audiences may fully enjoy Bulgakov's masterpiece.
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Talking cats and strange happenings... Not what I expected from the hype about a masterpiece of literature.
mkazac19
Apr 30, 2007
Most powerful book of Soviet era Russia
This book deserves its reputation as one of the greatest classics ever written.
Might be difficult for someone not versed in Soviet era Russia to understand the significance of most scenes.
Strongly urge anyone who did not live in or experience intimately Soviet time Russia to find someone to help explain.
Sara
Apr 2, 2007
Fantasically creative novel
This is a classic that should be incorporated into every academic literary canon. An extraordinary writer, Bulgakov weaves together the narratives of Satan's absurd entourage on an adventure in Moscow and an account of Pontius Pilate and Jesus with fascinating character detail and development. And important criticism of Soviet politics, as well as a beautiful and (at times) comic work, this is a must-read.
