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nolannev's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable book. The book, which is set in Stalinist Russia, examines what happens (to the literati, and in institutions) when The Devil (and a few of his minions) pay a visit to Moscow for a week. Unlike most portrayals of Satan, he isn't presented as all "hell-fire and brimstone," more as someone who likes playing practical jokes, and speaking truth to power.
Overall it's a good, fun read. The first half works better than the second half, to my mind (it's more obviously allegorical). That said, when I read any book, I find that I need to read it with a certain rhythm in your head to get them to work well. I think I found that rhythm in the first half, but lost it in the second, which made it a harder read. That said, it was still fun.
Overall it's a good, fun read. The first half works better than the second half, to my mind (it's more obviously allegorical). That said, when I read any book, I find that I need to read it with a certain rhythm in your head to get them to work well. I think I found that rhythm in the first half, but lost it in the second, which made it a harder read. That said, it was still fun.
m4rvtr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
barefootsierra's review against another edition
Too ethereal
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
nrvlp's review against another edition
5.0
un ringraziamento speciale al video in cui barbero parla de "il maestro e margherita" con gli occhi lucidi
caleighclaar's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely took a lot of brain power to read this book but I enjoyed it for the most part! Probably needed to educate myself more on Russian history and culture around the time it was published to better understand everything. I loved Bulgakov’s writing style!
vishal_moorthy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
erinn7's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rvdh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
linark's review against another edition
4.75
It's very cool to read a book that took twelve years to complete. It has little parts from all those years and the people he met and the things that occurred. "Manuscripts don't burn", even "Gods, oh Gods, knowing that death alone [would calm him]", holds personal significance. As an ignorant person, learning the context and subtext was half the fun. The humour is so far removed from myself I could only appreciate it in the most shallow way. Everything is written with such astoundingly subtle, multi layered irony.
This is not the last time I open this book I'll say that.
This is not the last time I open this book I'll say that.