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grace_theliteraryfiend's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
deaconlenny's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Phenomenal!!! Among the best depictions of the supernatural, and certainly of the Beast and his retinue. Amazing characterizations, so many literary (mostly Russian) references that I definitely didn’t clock but loved anyway, and now I need to read Pushkin and Gogol and definitely Faust. Not much else to say that hasn’t already been said better by others, but this is a wonderful, trippy, zany rollercoaster with a bunch of fucking circus freaks who are instantly endearing and hilarious. Behemoth is the obvious choice for a favorite, but every time someone described how much they hated Koroviev’s pince-nez, I also lost it. The Man Himself was also a delight, and the whole posse made me almost wish this was one entry in a long, long series. But then, part of the magic is that this is truly one of a kind.
platinum_mole's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
frag's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bellalaf's review against another edition
4.0
I am going to need to re read this. I'm not used to reading classics, so this was a struggle to read at points, and I can't say I enjoyed all of it. BUT, it's been in my head non stop, and whilst the first third feels quite disjointed and confusing, it all ties together nicely by the end. It's funny and nightmarish and bizarre. The Master and his lover, Margarita, are two of many characters living in Moscow during a visit from Woland (the devil) and his accomplices (including the ultimate comedic relief, Behemoth, the talking cat with bad aim who happens to be the size of a pig). Devilry occurs and there's chaos throughout the city, but everyone is scarily accustomed to bizarre acts occurring and the authorities work to get to the bottom of it all and pin logical explanations to the weirdness happening - even if the explanation in several cases is 'ah, this person must be insane'. The story includes witches, Jesus, Pontius Pilate, a flying pig and a lot of fire. It's all a bit far fetched, but for a book that tackles some pretty heavy themes - oppression, fear, the virtue of honesty and if morals are worth having when judgement is not based on a moral code - it's fantastical and funny.
patlo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
fionagreen's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
graydon's review against another edition
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
brittanyweinstockauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I really needed a whole course to fully understand the nuances of this book. There’s a lot there, and I suggest reading about it beforehand. It’s the strangest book I’ve ever read, but I loved it. I got confused at some points but I think it’s just because I didn’t understand it enough. The characters were colorful and rich and I got a lot out of the historical depth and meaning of it as far as it satirized the Soviet Union in the 1930s. I would love to read it again after I read some in-depth interpretations of it.