You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second time reading this novel, as much of it went over my head the first time.
Even without delving too deeply into the religious themes and criticisms of soviet society, this book is worth reading to see the ludicrous events that take place when the literal devil appears in an apparently atheist nation.
Bulgakov goes into painstaking detail describing the psychological damage to both individuals and society that seeing the unexplainable would cause, coupled with the hilarious attempts people have to try and make sense of it anyways.
The first time reading I really struggled to see the relevance of the story-within-the-story concerning Pontius Pilate (who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ). That was clearly on me, as now I can see how seamlessly this story parallels the narrative and themes of the wider book, elevating both stories.
Overall, a really fun satire with a lot to say about the culture that surrounded it. The fact it ever saw publication feels like a miracle.
Even without delving too deeply into the religious themes and criticisms of soviet society, this book is worth reading to see the ludicrous events that take place when the literal devil appears in an apparently atheist nation.
Bulgakov goes into painstaking detail describing the psychological damage to both individuals and society that seeing the unexplainable would cause, coupled with the hilarious attempts people have to try and make sense of it anyways.
The first time reading I really struggled to see the relevance of the story-within-the-story concerning Pontius Pilate (who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ). That was clearly on me, as now I can see how seamlessly this story parallels the narrative and themes of the wider book, elevating both stories.
Overall, a really fun satire with a lot to say about the culture that surrounded it. The fact it ever saw publication feels like a miracle.
Z przerwami i trudnościami dobrnąłem do końca. Nie zmnienia to faktu, iż jest to powieść absolutnie wybitna i ponadczasowa. Ciężko mi wyrazić zachwyt tym arcydziełem literatury rosyjskiej. Bułhakow wybitnie maluje słowem świat pełen paradoksów i groteski, szokujący i niejednokrotnie bawiący do łez. Jednakże, “Mistrz i Małgorzata” nie jest wyłącznie książką w wielu miejscach jowialną, ale niesie za sobą wiele przemyśleń. Ciężko nie wspomnieć jednych z najcudowniejszych bohaterów w historii literatury czyli Wolanda i całej diabelskiej świty, a zwłaszcza horrendalnie śmiesznego kota Behemota. Dodatkowo niezwykle podoba mi się ten paradoks, że diabły pomagają Małgorzacie osiągnąć upragnione szczęście i odzyskać miłość. Wychodzi na to, że to nie diamenty, a diabły są najlepszymi przyjaciółmi kobiety
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read a different translation with lots of helpful footnotes.
Individual chapters and stories are great not sure I really got the point of it at large.
This was a pretty wild ride but I'm still meh about it. I can appreciate it's critique of the Soviet society, specifically the government's suppression of free thought and artistic expression, but I felt it was trying to be too serious and too wacky at the same time.
3.5 stars. Despite its high overall rating, all of my goodreads friends who've read it also awarded 3 stars, and mentioned many of the same issues I'm going to bring up. So it's clearly not just me!
A fun story of the mess and confusion (and deaths) the devil causes when he and his sidekick demons arrive in Moscow. Whenever he or his retinue are in the scene, the book is entertaining. A lot of the other bits are not, however, and I struggled to pay attention. This wasn't helped by the fact that I got many names mixed up, I'm sure this is my own issue because, being foreign, they are unfamiliar.
The "present day" story is intertwined with the story of Pontius Pilate and like everyone else, I found this part quite boring. I wish it was more brief.
Overall, in turns an entertainment and a struggle to get through.
A fun story of the mess and confusion (and deaths) the devil causes when he and his sidekick demons arrive in Moscow. Whenever he or his retinue are in the scene, the book is entertaining. A lot of the other bits are not, however, and I struggled to pay attention. This wasn't helped by the fact that I got many names mixed up, I'm sure this is my own issue because, being foreign, they are unfamiliar.
The "present day" story is intertwined with the story of Pontius Pilate and like everyone else, I found this part quite boring. I wish it was more brief.
Overall, in turns an entertainment and a struggle to get through.