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mardy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cuntiest book ever
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
sticky_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
mikarala's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really, really hoped my rating would be higher than this.
Based on the description and what I'd heard about this novel, I honestly thought it was going to be a new favourite. Like, an absurdist story about the devil visiting 1920's/30's Soviet Moscow and getting up to hijinks and causing chaos? Sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, the matter-of-fact tone that was (I believe) meant to come across as absurdly understated just felt dull and lifeless to me. I was constantly losing track of where I was in the text due to lack of interest. I feel like the mayhem of the events of the story were not well served by the narrative style. For reference, I read the Burgin & O'Connor translation, which is the one I saw most recommended when I searched, so maybe other translations have a little more panache, but yeah, frustratingly, the writing somehow made incredibly ridiculous and absurd events seem incredibly boring. (Although, I will admit I did become somewhat more invested in the second half of the story.)
That's unfortunate, because I do think there are some really interesting themes in this novel. Bulgakov parodies the absurdity of Soviet beaurocracy, drawing a parallel with the Roman state/Pontius Pilate that crucified Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha-Nozri in this text) out of political cowardice with the cowardly actions of modern Muscovites living under the Soviet state. The final chapters actually almost made me up my rating a bit because there are actually some pretty thought-provoking quotes about the nature of evil and how it without it, good also wouldn't exist, but ultimately 3 stars is where this book actually lands for me, even if there are some really complex and fascinating thematic elements.
Based on the description and what I'd heard about this novel, I honestly thought it was going to be a new favourite. Like, an absurdist story about the devil visiting 1920's/30's Soviet Moscow and getting up to hijinks and causing chaos? Sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately, the matter-of-fact tone that was (I believe) meant to come across as absurdly understated just felt dull and lifeless to me. I was constantly losing track of where I was in the text due to lack of interest. I feel like the mayhem of the events of the story were not well served by the narrative style. For reference, I read the Burgin & O'Connor translation, which is the one I saw most recommended when I searched, so maybe other translations have a little more panache, but yeah, frustratingly, the writing somehow made incredibly ridiculous and absurd events seem incredibly boring. (Although, I will admit I did become somewhat more invested in the second half of the story.)
That's unfortunate, because I do think there are some really interesting themes in this novel. Bulgakov parodies the absurdity of Soviet beaurocracy, drawing a parallel with the Roman state/Pontius Pilate that crucified Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha-Nozri in this text) out of political cowardice with the cowardly actions of modern Muscovites living under the Soviet state. The final chapters actually almost made me up my rating a bit because there are actually some pretty thought-provoking quotes about the nature of evil and how it without it, good also wouldn't exist, but ultimately 3 stars is where this book actually lands for me, even if there are some really complex and fascinating thematic elements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Car accident
coramorton02'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? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Death, Mental illness, and Violence
elizlizabeth's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Gorgeous edition, but honestly I'm dreading to ever have to re-read this. It felt like it was never going to end and I'm usually a fast reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body horror, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, and Police brutality
Minor: Racial slurs and Infidelity
It is implied that black cats are rounded up and abused because of their appearance. The word negro is used to describe multiple black characters.alexandra_skl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
While the allegory can sometimes be a bit confusing, the book still serves as a poignant critique of Soviet absurdism and nonsense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Car accident, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Forced institutionalization
a_p_n's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Violence
Moderate: Racism
franzischi's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Murder, Violence, Blood, Death, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
autisticmisabel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Cancer, Racism, Animal cruelty, and Slavery
miamcmillan's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i loved this! it was so surreal and weird and utterly incomprehensible at times, and all the better for it. the satire is so witty and sharp and the weaving of the tone of the pontius pilate sections with those of contemporary moscow were fascinating. i also loved how the chapters were set out and particularly loved margarita and natasha’s sections - they were fascinating. also a very notable and interesting portrayal of jesus as an unintentionally influential madman; definitely provoked a lot of questions about bulgakov’s actual aims with the novels. also a very accessible classic!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence