Yes, I did read The Master & Margarita in its entirety in a record 3 days. I have to say, Russian literature is fun. It is witty, cynical, comic, dark, dramatic as all hell, and just a lot of fun. Mikhail Bulgakov is no different, in fact, he takes it to the next level.
The Master & Margarita was published posthumously in full in 1973, not counting earlier iterations, prints, revisions, and bootleg versions. A book that came under fire during Bulgakov's time for countless reasons, it is one of the most cherished and celebrated works of modern Russian literature.
Book review
Centred in Moscow, the novel revolves around the devil "Woland" who visits Moscow under the guise of a magician along with his posse of odd personalities including a naked witch "Hella", a talking black cat who takes the tram, a henchman with a fang, and an assistant extraordinaire. They get up to the most insane shenanigans in the city of Moscow, rendering the who's who of the literary world literally speechless. Half of them end up in the asylum while others find themselves holed up in hotel rooms.
The sort-of protagonist is the poet Ivan Nikolayevich Ponyrev, 'Bezdomny', whose pseudonym means "homeless" in Russian. He is the first in a slew of literati to end up in the asylum where he meets a writer who goes by the name 'The Master'. The Master tells all to Bezdomny of his writings and being separated from his lover, Margarita.
The story of Yeshua's execution, i.e. Jesus Christ, and the Roman Procurator 'Pontius Pilate' is interspersed with the modern goings-on in Moscow. The intersection of the two stories is really the crux of the novel. The magical realism in the novel is pleasant and way ahead of its time. At one point, I was flying along with Margarita, who is riding, naked, on a broomstick across the night sky of Moscow city. The whole account, including the subsequent Satan's ball, is pure delirium, with a cacophony of unique and intriguing characters.
Bulgakov was writing at a time when creative freedom and license was under great scrutiny. I could identify stirrings of dictatorial censorship in the novel's setting. For instance, the Master's novel was so heavily criticised by literary critics that it drove him to the 'madhouse' so to say. This is not unlike Bulgakov's own writings being put under the scanner for being philistine, shallow, propaganda writing, and so on.
An overarching trope is how the concepts of good and evil are sewn together. The characters, the hellish group from down below, each have two sides. You will be split between wanting to dislike them and adoring them. At the same time, the satire will come at you strong.
There are many scenes that have stayed with me. The descriptions are so vivid, the scenes come alive on each page. One of many favourite lines from the book belongs to satan himself. Woland says, "It's pleasant just to detain the festive night a little." I thought this was just beautiful writing. In another instant he says, "Manuscripts don't burn." Based on context alone, you will love the excitement of this line. I understand why Bulgakov, whose manuscripts and writings were ceased by the authorities on more than one occasion, would write this. The whole narrative of Pontius Pilate and Yeshua was fondly written and came to a beautiful conclusion. There is no aspect of this novel that will leave you with agitation. It is complete; it is whole.
Mikhail Bulgakov, who was only acknowledged after his death, was a modern writer who wrote flamboyantly. I had a wonderful time reading The Master & Margarita because it is, without a doubt, one of the greatest novels ever written. The context of Stalin's Russia may be a little lost on me. But, even if I don't know much about that particular history, I enjoyed this book. You don't need to know a lot of background to get through it. Except, of course, a general understanding of people and how they react to those in power. It is written for everyone. Of course, it doesn't hurt to dip your toes in the Russia of the past because that helps you get a brighter image of what Bulgakov may have attempted with this work.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get into Russian literature. If you're starting now, start with The Master & Margarita. I am definitely re-reading this at some point in time.
This is part of a series titled "My Year In Books: 2022". Find more here.
Disclaimer: Opinions are mine, and mine alone.
Make sure to grab a copy at your local bookstore!
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