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nanbary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Equally enamoured and devastated.
Easily my new favourite book and I will forever be jealous of anyone who has the opportunity to read this for the first time.
Witty and cheeky, incandescent and soulful - so many of the characters are so very compelling and Bulgakov’s ability to describe a setting in a way you can not only clearly visualise but feel is entirely unlike anything I have read to date. It’s mysticism doesn’t leave you confused but in a state of wonder that feels comparable to reading Alice’s Adventures only for a more mature audience.
Forever grateful for whoever designed the cover of this book which so baited me in at the store as I will never be the same! And a thank you as well to the real life Margarita who pushed against censors for the books publication. WOW!
Easily my new favourite book and I will forever be jealous of anyone who has the opportunity to read this for the first time.
Witty and cheeky, incandescent and soulful - so many of the characters are so very compelling and Bulgakov’s ability to describe a setting in a way you can not only clearly visualise but feel is entirely unlike anything I have read to date. It’s mysticism doesn’t leave you confused but in a state of wonder that feels comparable to reading Alice’s Adventures only for a more mature audience.
Forever grateful for whoever designed the cover of this book which so baited me in at the store as I will never be the same! And a thank you as well to the real life Margarita who pushed against censors for the books publication. WOW!
gatonolivro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jwolflink3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
skbledsoe's review against another edition
5.0
Great. It's magic scenes are exciting, and it can funny and ridiculous at times. At first I was left wondering how each of the plots would tie together, but they were connected nicely. The writing is so vivid, the characters are well developed. A very great work.
Edit for 2024 reading: Since the first time I read this book, I actually got to see the Mikhail Bukgakov museum in Moscow that is the apartment that became the inspiration for the apartment where the Master and Margarita lived in this book and it really gave me a lot perspective on the character and the book. It's sort of the author's revenge fantasy, in a way. The devil goes to communist Moscow and terrorizes the elite because of their greed and their pride, and his minions make sure to burn down the writers guild as well. When Margarita becomes a which she harasses the person who ruined the Master's life. And in the end the two disappear together, into eternal peace. This book is probably my favorite depiction of Jesus. Jesus is good man in the book, and depending on the translation he tells Pontious Pilate that "Taxation is a violence on people." The descriptions surrounding the scenes are so vivid and descriptive, like the walk up Calgary Hill really feels excruciating and is probably one of the longest chapters in the book. Still 5 out of 5 stars. Maybe I'll read Faust in between this and my next read and my perspective on the book will change some more.
Edit for 2024 reading: Since the first time I read this book, I actually got to see the Mikhail Bukgakov museum in Moscow that is the apartment that became the inspiration for the apartment where the Master and Margarita lived in this book and it really gave me a lot perspective on the character and the book. It's sort of the author's revenge fantasy, in a way. The devil goes to communist Moscow and terrorizes the elite because of their greed and their pride, and his minions make sure to burn down the writers guild as well. When Margarita becomes a which she harasses the person who ruined the Master's life. And in the end the two disappear together, into eternal peace. This book is probably my favorite depiction of Jesus. Jesus is good man in the book, and depending on the translation he tells Pontious Pilate that "Taxation is a violence on people." The descriptions surrounding the scenes are so vivid and descriptive, like the walk up Calgary Hill really feels excruciating and is probably one of the longest chapters in the book. Still 5 out of 5 stars. Maybe I'll read Faust in between this and my next read and my perspective on the book will change some more.
nclarke84's review against another edition
5.0
A barmy tale that is equal parts horror, satire, comedy and romance, Milhail Bulgakov’s ‘The Master and Margarita’ marks the third book in my Russian literature journey.
Currently residing in Moscow, My journey through the settings depicted within the novel was more richly experienced, as many of these places still exist today, such as the peaceful Patriarch Ponds and the bustling Arbat.
The Pontius Pilate chapters give an interesting alternative take on the crucifixion story. Additionally, the uniqueness of bringing in the titular characters near to midway through the book was intriguing, puzzling and yet still functional.
I found myself fascinated with the prose of the novel and frequently found myself pausing to look up the definition of seldom used or recognised words. Notable highlights include: pusillanimity, sagacious, opus, coquettish, infelicitous, obsequious and my new favourite word verisimilitude. Well done to anyone who can define all of these beautiful words with no context!
Currently residing in Moscow, My journey through the settings depicted within the novel was more richly experienced, as many of these places still exist today, such as the peaceful Patriarch Ponds and the bustling Arbat.
The Pontius Pilate chapters give an interesting alternative take on the crucifixion story. Additionally, the uniqueness of bringing in the titular characters near to midway through the book was intriguing, puzzling and yet still functional.
I found myself fascinated with the prose of the novel and frequently found myself pausing to look up the definition of seldom used or recognised words. Notable highlights include: pusillanimity, sagacious, opus, coquettish, infelicitous, obsequious and my new favourite word verisimilitude. Well done to anyone who can define all of these beautiful words with no context!
beck4books's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
aaallliiiccceee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
blackjessamine's review against another edition
3.0
D'accordo, forse leggere questo romanzo durante i miei ultimi giorni di vacanza, con la voglia di evadere e senza troppa concentrazione è stato un errore. Perché mi sono ben resa conto di essere davanti a qualche cosa di grandioso, ho intuito l'importanza e l'imponenza di questo romanzo, ma non sono riuscita a coglierla appieno. Forse si è trattato solo di una brutta coincidenza, l'ho letto nel momento sbagliato, con lo stato d'animo meno adatto, l'ho letto senza essere abbastanza preparata su quello che avrei affrontato. E la conseguenza di tutto questo è stata che, una volta terminato questo romanzo, mi sono chiesta quale fosse esattamente lo scopo di Bulgakov, dove precisamente avrebbe voluto portare il lettore. E dove sicuramente avrà portato tantissimi lettori, perché non metto in dubbio che il problema qui sia tutto mio, non certo di una qualche mancanza di capacità da parte dell'autore.
"Il Maestro e Margherita" è un grandissimo mosaico composto da tessere coloratissime, sorprendenti, grandiose, abbaglianti, è un romanzo pieno di colpi di scena, di momenti comici, di trovate forse geniali, sicuramente spiazzanti, e ammetto che, seguendo questo gorgo travolgente, io mi sono completamente smarrita. Ci sono stati momenti che ho riconosciuto come magistrali, capitoli bellissimi (su tutti, quelli riguardanti Pilato, ma non solo: anche il numero di Woland al Teatro del Varietà mi ha totalmente assorbito, così come mi hanno incantata alcuni capitoli sparsi); ma accanto a questi brani, molti altri mi hanno lasciata confusa, annoiata, incapace di seguire e apprezzare la struttura narrativa. Leggendo, mi sono resa conto che gran parte degli elementi goliardici e spiazzanti altro non erano che simboli, metafore, allusioni a qualcosa di più importante, ma (e naturalmente qui si tratta di una mia mancanza) non sono quasi mai riuscita a cogliere questa rete di rimandi. Naturalmente, alcuni elementi sono riuscita a coglierli anche io, come ad esempio la similitudine fra il Maestro e lo stesso Bulgakov, la lotta contro la censura, elementi di satira contro il regime vigente, contro l'estenuante burocrazia, la messa a nudo dei difetti degli uomini pronti ad abboccare ai trucchi di magia particolarmente venali di Woland, la cecità degli uomini che si decidono a credere soltanto a ciò che più potrebbe far loro comodo... ma sono convinta che "Il Maestro e Margherita" sia anche molto altro.
Insomma, si tratta sicuramente di un romanzo che avrei bisogno di rileggere con più calma, prestando maggiore attenzione ai dettagli e riflettendo molto più a lungo fra un capitolo e l'altro.
"Il Maestro e Margherita" è un grandissimo mosaico composto da tessere coloratissime, sorprendenti, grandiose, abbaglianti, è un romanzo pieno di colpi di scena, di momenti comici, di trovate forse geniali, sicuramente spiazzanti, e ammetto che, seguendo questo gorgo travolgente, io mi sono completamente smarrita. Ci sono stati momenti che ho riconosciuto come magistrali, capitoli bellissimi (su tutti, quelli riguardanti Pilato, ma non solo: anche il numero di Woland al Teatro del Varietà mi ha totalmente assorbito, così come mi hanno incantata alcuni capitoli sparsi); ma accanto a questi brani, molti altri mi hanno lasciata confusa, annoiata, incapace di seguire e apprezzare la struttura narrativa. Leggendo, mi sono resa conto che gran parte degli elementi goliardici e spiazzanti altro non erano che simboli, metafore, allusioni a qualcosa di più importante, ma (e naturalmente qui si tratta di una mia mancanza) non sono quasi mai riuscita a cogliere questa rete di rimandi. Naturalmente, alcuni elementi sono riuscita a coglierli anche io, come ad esempio la similitudine fra il Maestro e lo stesso Bulgakov, la lotta contro la censura, elementi di satira contro il regime vigente, contro l'estenuante burocrazia, la messa a nudo dei difetti degli uomini pronti ad abboccare ai trucchi di magia particolarmente venali di Woland, la cecità degli uomini che si decidono a credere soltanto a ciò che più potrebbe far loro comodo... ma sono convinta che "Il Maestro e Margherita" sia anche molto altro.
Insomma, si tratta sicuramente di un romanzo che avrei bisogno di rileggere con più calma, prestando maggiore attenzione ai dettagli e riflettendo molto più a lungo fra un capitolo e l'altro.