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atticus13's review against another edition
5.0
If you read Russian literature and find yourself reading Tolstoy or Dostoevsky you will find a legacy of pristine, precise and cutting prose. The Master & Margarita throws that out the window with some batshit crazy absurdity. The book is ever unraveling, but at its core is a real set of gripes about Stalinist Russia, the weight of the literary experience and religion. Those gripes create a coherent thread that can be felt but not seen throughout the absurd novel.
Some remark on the sloppiness of this book, born in the fact that Bulgakov spent is life writing, rewriting and even on occasion burning the manuscript of this book. According to historians it never was completed by Bulgakov's standards, but it feels very complete to me. Complete enough to be an unforgettable and inspiring read.
Some remark on the sloppiness of this book, born in the fact that Bulgakov spent is life writing, rewriting and even on occasion burning the manuscript of this book. According to historians it never was completed by Bulgakov's standards, but it feels very complete to me. Complete enough to be an unforgettable and inspiring read.
juliette_readsgood's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mikareadsnrambles's review against another edition
3.0
so classics are just not for everyone I guess?
sophiepiczenik's review against another edition
5.0
I now know how to answer the question, "What's your favourite book?"
This has got to be the best thing I've read, ever.
This book felt like a fever dream to me. Each chapter gave me a weird sense of déjà vu.
The writing is so beautiful that I see each scene and chapter clearly in my head as if I were there.
Perhaps I am Professor Woland at the intervention between Pontus Pilate and Ha Nostri.
I felt engaged. Like I am a part of something rather than relating to it or learning something. Reading this book felt like I was a part of an underground political group. The humour, the satire -- unmatched. For fiction, this is as real as it gets.
Uh, I am so frustrated for not being to find the right word to describe how I feel about this book.
Definitely will reread it, definitely will pass this book on, definitely will buy a fancy copy to sit and stare.
**Chef's Kisses***
This has got to be the best thing I've read, ever.
This book felt like a fever dream to me. Each chapter gave me a weird sense of déjà vu.
The writing is so beautiful that I see each scene and chapter clearly in my head as if I were there.
Perhaps I am Professor Woland at the intervention between Pontus Pilate and Ha Nostri.
I felt engaged. Like I am a part of something rather than relating to it or learning something. Reading this book felt like I was a part of an underground political group. The humour, the satire -- unmatched. For fiction, this is as real as it gets.
Uh, I am so frustrated for not being to find the right word to describe how I feel about this book.
Definitely will reread it, definitely will pass this book on, definitely will buy a fancy copy to sit and stare.
**Chef's Kisses***
boneillius's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
raya213's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.5
I'm giving 4.5 only because the specific translation I read was not the best. But this might very well be one of the best books I've read in a while. Maybe ever. It was super slow at the beginning, but I'm so glad I stuck through it because I think it's one of the most important Soviet books to read, and I'm really happy that I got to experience it. My thoughts about it are too long to write here and have already been discussed very thoroughly with Mama :D
melankoly's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
jinglelocks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Violence
bababa's review against another edition
3.0
Very fun read though, unfortunately, I didn't understand a thing.