I love art that isn’t immediately known to you from the first chance getting to know it. There's something captivating about not fully grasping the entire context—it opens the door to personal discoveries about history, world leaders, literary references, and so much more. I find it fascinating to uncover philosophy in Christianity or other religions through the lens of a different belief system. It’s not that it makes me feel smarter; rather, it offers an experience I know I could never find in contemporary literature. I think I’m in love with the inherent strangeness of classic books, and Bulgakov’s writing, in particular, is so mesmerizing that I never want to stop immersing myself in it.

I have a theory about Woland’s role in The Master and Margarita. He was present at Christ’s execution and later appears in Moscow during Stalin’s Soviet regime, a time when the government aggressively promoted atheism and rejected religion. Woland seems to have a specific purpose: to expose and punish the people’s denial of Christ and their refusal to believe in His existence. He finds amusement in their ignorance, especially in how stubbornly they reject the idea of God. But Woland’s actions aren’t just for his own entertainment. He eliminates anyone who opposes him or tries to stand in his way. What’s interesting is how he punishes people in ways that match their beliefs. Since they deny God, Woland becomes a kind of divine reckoning, enforcing justice in his own way. His presence forces the people to face the consequences of their disbelief. To Woland, this approach makes sense—if they’ve already dismissed God, he feels free to act as he pleases, without following divine rules. This connects to the translator’s note: “As Woland’s existence proves the existence of a God the Soviet state has abandoned—so the writer tells lies in order to say something true.” Woland’s presence challenges the Soviet regime’s rejection of God, showing that denying spiritual truths doesn’t make them disappear. Instead, their ignorance and defiance invite forces like Woland, who punish them in ways they can’t understand or escape.

An utter mystery. For me, seductive and out of the blue.

Surrealist satire set in Stalin's Soviet Union spotlighting the absurdity of the bureaucracy and championing the human humor and spirit. The novel follows Satan and his retinue, highlighted by a large, vodka drinking cat, who appear in 1930's Moscow and begin to expose the hypocrisy of the Soviet elite. They eventually come in contact with the novel's namesakes: an author known by his love, Margarita, as the Master. Across Moscow with some pitstops in Christ's Jerusalem, the story is about religion, the state's hypocrisy, seizing life, following passions, and being an individual. Almost impossible to summarize, the novel can seem to be disjointed, but is ultimately highly memorable because it's full of gallows humor and tender moments.

Bulgakov’s writing is as divine and illustrious as the various expeditions taken by the devil and his party. Book 2 was more of a favourite for me, with the storyline weaving in and out of a dark phantasmal blur. For some reason aspects of the novel reminded me of darker themes in Spirited Away.

Interposed between a retelling of the crucifixion of Christ is the most charming bewildering and lighthearted Russian story about mischief and the pitfalls of cowardice. Unlike many of his contemporary counterparts (Gogol, Pushkin, Tolstoy) bulgakov does not fixate on Soviet era Russia’s strife and misery but instead tells a tale about satan in Moscow with his crew of henchmen while they rampage though the city. So enjoyable and lighthearted. Couldn’t help but laugh out loud each time behemoth the hind leg walking vodka drinking cigarette smoking black cat decided to play a game of William Tell or fire off his Browning at the Russian secret service.

my brain needs a break. will review later.

Had high expectations for this book, after hearing heaps of praise about it, yet somehow my expectations were still exceeded. What makes this novel so singular in its brilliance is its heart that cohesively brings together widely disparate elements of its narrative (e.g. satire, fairy tale, etc). A classic that I plan to re-read many, many times.

Superb and unforgettable.

i only got halfway thru before i had to put it down. what was even happening.. i couldnt follow especially with all the random characters. i can usually get thru older & complex books but nothing was connecting and the dialogue was so strange that it was more confusing than funny. i wanted to believe i would get into it but i just couldnt :(

akala ko nasa psych ward ako e. I guess I'm not yet ready for this kind of book, this magical realism shit coz I did not appreciate it the way other people did, I have an idea what the author is trying to say but still it's not for me.

«Non bisogna certo fare dei grandi progetti, caro vicino, è vero! Io, per esempio, volevo fare il giro di tutta la Terra. Si vede che non era stato scritto. Vedo solo un insignificante pezzetto di questa Terra. Penso che non sia il migliore che esista al mondo, ma, lo ripeto, non è poi così misero.»

ding ding ding

i don’t have the words to explain just how much i adored this book, but it’s going to stick with me for a long time. hands down one of the best books i’ve ever read.

Classic! Deeply layered, wonderfully chroeographed and satisfying storyline.

Early Magical Realism

Follow me, reader! Who told you that there is no true, faithful, eternal love in this world! May the liar’s vile tongue be cut out! Follow me, my reader, and me alone, and I will show you such a love!

4,5

I very much enjoyed reading a book that makes no claims on truthfulness whatsoever.

Good book, it takes focus while reading to follow the story. It takes a mature mind to understand. It's a decent book but not something you should go for when looking for a light read.

Faust in Moscow with laffs and a less-straightforward moral; also a solemn and harrowing Passion play; also a revenge play on the various apparatchiks and shill artists that made Bulgakov's life a constant question mark. I loved book one, in which the devil upends Stalinist control with seances, magic tricks, telegram lulz, and horrible trolling of only somewhat venal people. Love leaped out in front of us like a murderer in an alley leaping out of nowhere, and struck us both at once. As lightning strikes, as a Finnish knife strikes! It has a sweet fairytale air over and above the murders and the Satanic chaos. Follow me reader! Who told you that there is no true, faithful, eternal love in this world! May the liar's vile tongue be cut out! Was wondering if it's a Christian novel, but it is heretical to balls. Yeshua to Pilate: In fact, I'm beginning to fear that this confusion will go on for a long time. And all because [Mark] writes down what I said incorrectly.

knigavuhe.org/book/master-i-margarita/

This is hilariously bizarre as far as Russian Literature is concerned; But Bulghakov ruins the early nineteenth century bureaucracy with his gothic imagery of the Devil, assisted by his equally devastating companions. A fantastic read, crazy in its depiction of love and remorse, and ends beautifully.

kinda want to believe in god now

You know those really old monochrome, low-budget movies that still has no CGI whatsoever? That’s actually what I feel when I was reading The Master and Margarita. So much going on... In one place... But it’s silly too at the same time. I can’t say I understand it one hundred percent (since it’s my first russian literature and I’m still quite adapting myself with classics and how they’re written) and magical realism has never been my forte afterall. But character wise I LOVE Behemoth and when he’s paired with Koroviev too. They’re entertaining to read. But I just love Behemoth.