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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
After [b:The Divine Comedy|14289427|The Divine Comedy Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso|Dante Alighieri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348872775l/14289427._SY75_.jpg|809248] by Dante and [b:Faust|7406012|Faust|Johann Wolfgang von Goethe|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1261753201l/7406012._SY75_.jpg|24158213] by Goethe, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940) is the third allegorical novel I read consecutively in which the devil plays a pivotal role. Bulgakov demands a lot from readers who did not live through the Soviet Union of the 1930s, but for those who immerse themselves in the context, the rewards are tremendous.
The Master and Margarita is a satirical comedy written between 1928 and 1940 and first published in full in Paris in 1967, after the manuscript was smuggled out of the Soviet Union. Bulgakov describes life under Soviet rule and criticises its corruption, opportunism and lack of morality. He does so by sending the devil – in the guise of Woland, a professor of black magic – and his henchmen to Moscow to run amok. First they predict the death of Berlioz, head of Massolit, an elite union for writers. Prominent members are then plagued by a series of satanic events that implode the private club from within. Specialty of the devil’s house is making objects – notably documents and money – (dis)appear at will to undermine the system: the capital’s variety theatre, for example, falls prey to ‘a chaos of Babylonian allure’.
While creating an oppressive image of what he witnessed in daily life, Bulgakov turned against an omnipotent enemy and delivered some hard criticism. (Exactly how great that enemy was, Hannah Arendt explains in [b:The Origins Of Totalitarianism|34204370|The Origins Of Totalitarianism|Hannah Arendt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494080300l/34204370._SY75_.jpg|23497].) Bulgakov fights for the power of ideas – manuscripts don’t burn – which should not be constrained by trivial rules.
Quotes are in Dutch as I read a translated version.
It is not necessary to know all the references to understand the satire. Bulgakov’s pen is so clear and sharp that it seems as if he’s playing with his audience. The novel is witty, especially when it comes to the quirks of the devil’s carnavalesk accomplices Azazello, Behemoth and Korovjev. I enjoyed the additional frame narrative of Pontius Pilatus and Yeshua Ha-Notsri (Jesus of Nazareth), in which Bulgakov questions the definitions of ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Altogether, his presentation of the devil is a different one from Dante or Goethe. I highly appreciated the novel.
Next on my reading list is Bulgakov’s [b:The Life of Monsieur de Molière|52857927|Het leven van de heer Molière|Mikhail Bulgakov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585690403l/52857927._SY75_.jpg|1470810].
The Master and Margarita is a satirical comedy written between 1928 and 1940 and first published in full in Paris in 1967, after the manuscript was smuggled out of the Soviet Union. Bulgakov describes life under Soviet rule and criticises its corruption, opportunism and lack of morality. He does so by sending the devil – in the guise of Woland, a professor of black magic – and his henchmen to Moscow to run amok. First they predict the death of Berlioz, head of Massolit, an elite union for writers. Prominent members are then plagued by a series of satanic events that implode the private club from within. Specialty of the devil’s house is making objects – notably documents and money – (dis)appear at will to undermine the system: the capital’s variety theatre, for example, falls prey to ‘a chaos of Babylonian allure’.
While creating an oppressive image of what he witnessed in daily life, Bulgakov turned against an omnipotent enemy and delivered some hard criticism. (Exactly how great that enemy was, Hannah Arendt explains in [b:The Origins Of Totalitarianism|34204370|The Origins Of Totalitarianism|Hannah Arendt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494080300l/34204370._SY75_.jpg|23497].) Bulgakov fights for the power of ideas – manuscripts don’t burn – which should not be constrained by trivial rules.
Quotes are in Dutch as I read a translated version.
- Uw lidmaatschapskaart? vroeg ze, terwijl ze verbaasd naar Korovjevs knijpbril en Behemoths primus en gescheurde elleboog keek.
- Ik verzoek u duizend maal verontschuldiging, wat voor kaart? vroeg Korovjev verbaasd.
- Bent u schrijvers? vroeg op haar beurt de burgeres.
- Geen twijfel aan, antwoordde Korovjev waardig.
- Uw lidmaatschapskaarten? herhaalde zij.
- Bekoorlijkheid… begon Korovjev innig.
- Ik ben geen bekoorlijkheid, viel de burgeres hem in de rede.
- Ach, wat jammer, zei Korovjev teleurgesteld en hij vervolgde: Goed, als u dan geen bekoorlijkheid belieft te zijn, wat toch heel fijn zou wezen, dan niet. Maar goed, om u ervan te overtuigen dat Dostojevski een schrijver is, hoeft u hem toch niet om zijn lidmaatschapskaart te vragen? Pak gewoon vijf bladzijden uit de eerste de beste roman van de man en u komt zonder enig document tot de conclusie dat u met een schrijver te doen hebt.
It is not necessary to know all the references to understand the satire. Bulgakov’s pen is so clear and sharp that it seems as if he’s playing with his audience. The novel is witty, especially when it comes to the quirks of the devil’s carnavalesk accomplices Azazello, Behemoth and Korovjev. I enjoyed the additional frame narrative of Pontius Pilatus and Yeshua Ha-Notsri (Jesus of Nazareth), in which Bulgakov questions the definitions of ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Altogether, his presentation of the devil is a different one from Dante or Goethe. I highly appreciated the novel.
’Zou je niet zo goed willen zijn eens na te denken over de vraag wat dat goede van jou zou uithalen als er geen kwaad bestond, en hoe de aarde eruit zou zien als de schaduwen en het duister van de aardbodem verdwenen? Schaduwen ontstaan immers door de dingen en de mensen. Neem nu de schaduw van mijn degen. Maar er zijn ook schaduwen van bomen en van levende wezens. Je wilt toch niet de hele aardbol kaalplukken en alle bomen en al wat leeft wegvagen omwille van je gril het naakte licht te kunnen genieten? Je bent dom.’
Next on my reading list is Bulgakov’s [b:The Life of Monsieur de Molière|52857927|Het leven van de heer Molière|Mikhail Bulgakov|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585690403l/52857927._SY75_.jpg|1470810].
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Naming my next cat Behemoth.
Honestly I’ll need to read this again to have anything approximating a real grasp on it.
Honestly I’ll need to read this again to have anything approximating a real grasp on it.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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:
Yes
If I could give this zero stars I would - blue and gold guy lied
But what can be done, the one who loves must share the fate of the one he loves.The last few chapters were so exceptionally beautiful, I was left speechless. Godd I love imagery about the moon and the stars, and the wrap up to Pontius was so touching and poetic and beautiful. And the two title characters, the Master and Margarita, I loved them so much!! All of the characters were wonderful--Woland was in particular a show stealer--but Margarita was just perfect.
I got irritated after a while of the demons' antics over and over, becoming super anxious to get to the second half of the story, and so looking back I definitely didn't absorb the fun of it. On a re-read that's what I would like to focus on more, taking the story as it comes. Oh my god I love those last few chapters. The complete change in Korovyev and Behemoth?? I don't know why everyone obsesses over the ball scene so much when the flight scene is right there and so much grander. Like come on it's so pretty,,, I love this novel. I need to see some kind of animated adaptation happen within my lifetime, that would be magical :(
Listen and take pleasure in what you were not given in life--quiet. Look, there up ahead is your eternal home . . . You will fall asleep with your grimy eternal cap on your head, you will fall asleep with a smile on your lips. Sleep will strengthen you, you will begin to reason wisely. And you will never be able to chase me away. I will guard your sleep.my god. i'm thankful to have read this.
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed the second half and the manuscript excerpts. A very unique read.
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-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:
Complicated