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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Comical and whimsical in tone, unexpectedly so for what is essentially a Russian Faust. I found it easy to read (probably thanks to another great Pevear and Volokhonsky translation) and I enjoyed the romantic parts in particular. It's telling, I think, that Satan and his retinue come off as less evil than the Soviet authorities of the 1930s, and the casual references to people disappearing when they are taken off for questioning are perturbing. Obviously it's satirical, but it's also the triumph of absurdity in the face of tyranny. I read Richard Pevear's introduction after I finished the novel and all the pieces fell into place; probably the most erudite yet limpid introduction I have ever read.
stop started many times, I'll start again afresh in the future
after getting our much-anticipated cat i thought it only right to pick up the master and margarita. it wasn’t quite what i expected and certainly i wouldn’t have understood the many allusions, nuances, and references to daily life in 1930s moscow without the very thorough endnotes in this edition. a clever read and a very imaginative indictment of soviet society.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Not bad. The scenes with Voland and the scenes with Pontius Pilate were quite gripping and interesting, but I found the scenes set in (then) present-day Moscow to drag on a bit.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes