Reviews

The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov

mransford's review

4.0

For the first hundred or so pages, I was intrigued but really bored. Then it just gets GOOD. The devil and his posse visit Russia and cause all sorts of chaos and it’s a delight. The Master and Margarita are characters and by the end you’ll think “the devil and his cronies really aren’t so bad”. The people they tortured were just idiots. Definitely feels like a fever dream most of the time

hildegard's review

4.0

In many ways, I enjoyed this book. Some parts were thought provoking; others were outright hilarious (the suit, for example). But I will admit that it was so apocalyptic (on account of its having been written under a repressive government and not infrequently alluding to people of the time that the non-specialist would never pick up without an outside guide), that it felt in some ways a bit dated/too specific to a *particular* régime rather than speaking to a broader audience.

I also found the appropriation of some religious figures to be decidedly odd in terms of characterization. However, given the little bit I know about Stalin's long term affects on Russians' memories/perception of the period's events (see The Unquiet Ghost), maybe this makes sense after all.

ericgaryanderson's review

4.0

I finished it! A long, slow read, but a steady one, and how could I not appreciate a novel with a very large, very disruptive, and very tricky cat as a major character. After my first read, I pretty much don't know what the hell I read, but this is apparently true for many people after their first read. I'm interested, though, and persuaded that there's much going on here that I'd like to know more about. (The afterword to this edition is helpful here.)

lor8647's review

5.0

my english teacher recommended this book to me saying it's a book that "changes lives" and she was right. never before have i read anything similar. it was truly genious. it made me laugh, it made me think, it made me feel. and i loved every page. cannot wait to read it again. russian literature lives in my mind rent free.

salbulga's review against another edition

challenging funny mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

mallen317's review against another edition

5.0

This book is absolutely incredible. I cannot wait to return to this book time and time again as I have the distinct feeling that this is one of those stories with which one can never fail to find something new and exciting in each reread.

lessidisa's review against another edition

medium-paced

2.0

Je suis étonnée de ne pas avoir aimé ce livre. Il semblerait que je n'aime pas tant que ça les livres loufoques. Celui-là est beaucoup trop absurde et ne mène à rien. Je n'aimais que les parties qui parlaient de Jésus and co. Les conneries avec le diable non. J'aime bien le regret du procurateur, c'est comme nous sauf que nous nous regrettons des choses insignifiantes alors que lui a laissé mourir ----. 

xaoccep's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

etty_chan's review

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rui_andre's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0