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The Master and Margarita
384 pages, 1996
fiction
1382 booksThe underground masterpiece of twentieth-century Russian fabrication, this classic novel was written during Stalin’s governance and couldn't be published until numerous times after its author’s death. When the devil arrives in the 1930s Moscow, consorting with a train of odd associates including a talking black cat, a homicide, and a beautiful naked witch — his capers inflict annihilation among the erudite nobility of the world capital of veneration.
Meanwhile, the Master, author of unpublished news about Jesus and Pontius Pilate, languishes in despair in a psychiatric sanitarium, while his devoted nut, Margarita, decides to vend her soul to save him.
As Bulgakov’s brightly buoyant narrative weaves back and forth between Moscow and ancient Jerusalem, speckled with scenes ranging from a giddy Cacodemonic ball to the murder of Judas in Gethsemane, Margarita’s enduring love for the Master joins the beaches of plot across space and time.
In The Master and Margarita, Bulgakov explores the transformative power of love. The love between the Master and Margarita is so strong that it transcends the boundaries of reality. It's a reminder that love can be a powerful force in our lives, capable of overcoming any obstacle.
Bulgakov invites us to look into the duality of good and evil. He suggests that these concepts are not as black and white as we might think. The devil's character, Woland, is not purely evil, and the seemingly good characters have their flaws. This book encourages us to see beyond the surface.
The Master and Margarita emphasizes the importance of personal freedom. The characters who deny their true desires end up living in fear and regret. Bulgakov encourages us to embrace our individuality and live authentically.
Bulgakov uses his book to highlight the significance of art and literature in society. The Master, a writer, suffers when his work is rejected, showing how oppressive regimes can stifle creativity. This book inspires us to appreciate and protect artistic freedom.
In The Master and Margarita, he satirizes the absurdity of bureaucracy. The book is filled with scenes where characters are caught in ridiculous situations due to bureaucratic red tape. It's a nudge for us to question and challenge unnecessary complexities in our own lives.
Quotes 5
The Master and Margarita is a book that has the power to change your life. It is a novel that is both terrifying and hilarious, a masterpiece of the 20th century.
Salman Rushdie - British Indian novelistThe Master and Margarita is a novel that combines the elements of grotesque, surrealism, and fantasy. It is a work of genius.
Christopher Hitchens - British American authorThe Master and Margarita is a book that has influenced my writing. It is a novel that is full of magic and mystery.
J.K. Rowling - British authorThe Master and Margarita is a novel that is both dark and funny. It is a book that has inspired me.
Neil Gaiman - English authorThe Master and Margarita is a novel that is both absurd and profound. It is a book that has influenced my filmmaking.
Terry Gilliam - Film director
