Rating: 
Summary: I love this book
Review: I simply love this book. I first read after I had starred as Pontius Pilate in stageproduction of the book. The play had been named "Satan arrives in Moscow". After we had finished the play I checked out the book from my library and read it. I just loved it, since then I have read it about 5 or 6 times, I have also read two other of his books and he's my favourite author of all time.
Rating: 
Summary: A complex novel that demands another read.
Review: In 1998, I was witness to a stage production of THE MASTER AND MARGARITA at the Winnipeg, Manitoba Fringe Festival. A troupe from Detroit, I believe, had translated the novel to the stage. I had never heard of the novel, but went simply because it sounded interesting.For two hours, I sat transfixed. Never before or since have I had such a satisfying theatrical experience. It's hard to describe, but the use of the stage itself, the language, the acting, the ideas, all added up to something I suspect I will never have again to such a degree. I went back three more times. I finally decided to sit down and read the novel itself, and true to the play, it is complex, disturbing, at times astonishing, at times confusing. I am reminded of the movie adaptation of THE ENGLISH PATIENT, an unfilmable novel filmed magnificently. This is just such a novel. As in the play, how do you describe such a tale? It follows the exploits of the Devil in Russia, but also centres on a failed novelist and his lover, a giant cat, an insane poet, a mother who killed her child. This story is not content to sit still. Why four stars and not five? Because this novel, like the best ones, demands to be read again, to be further understood and savoured. Perhaps I will change it later on, when I reread it. I will read it again.
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Summary: read this book, or so help me...
Review: Yes, OK, here we have a nice translation (O'conor and Burgin) of one of the best works of art ever, so what are you waiting for? Last year I was lucky enough to stumble upon this gem. It made happier then I've been for some time. I can't believe this was not taught to me in college. I want my money back! Forget whatever it is you are currently reading and read this.
Rating: 
Summary: DO NOT BUY THIS MASTERPIECE!
Review: Bulgakov is one of the best writers of the century. If you're going to read him, DO NOT READ MIRA GINSBURG'S TRANSLATION! It's terrible. Instead, you should read Diana Burgin and Katherine Tiernan O'Connor's translation, which is far and away superior to this one. (The publisher is Vintage International). Truly, the difference is striking.
Rating:
Summary: Ginsburg (green) transaltion is inferior
Review: This is my favorite book of all times. In fact, I always have a copy of Master & Margarita on my nightstand. I had read this book in English and Russian (my native language). I must say that the English translation by M. Ginsburg is inferior one. While it is more accurate as a linguistic project, it fails to capture the fluidity and the style of the original. All in all, the translation (forgive me I don't remember the name of the translator) published in a red/white cover is a much better one. It relates the story closer to how Bulgakov wrote it in Russian.
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Summary: English Translations and Russian Language Web Sites
Review: I first read the 1967 paperback translation by Michael Glenny. It claimed to be the "only complete, unexpurgated edition" of the book and was the only version I was aware of in 1968. I read it once on my own (on the recommendation of a professor) and again in the 1968-69 school year in a Russian literature class. I loved it then for all the reasons given in the many reviews listed below. I read it a third time several years later and still loved it. So now it's been 30 years since I withdrew from the second year of a masters degree program in Russian, and I decided I wanted to read "The Master and Margarita" in the original. I'll confess over the years I have had very few occasions to use my Russian and so have forgotten a great deal. I started reviewing my Russian and convinced several friends to read this book in translation so I'd have others with whom to discuss it. I purchased the Burgin/O'Conner translation (which seems to be the favorite among the many reviews given here) and currently await the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation from Amazon.com. My happiest moment came when I found the book in Russian on the Internet. I now am able to read a chapter in English, then in Russian. I am not yet at the point where I can read the Russian only, but I plan to get there soon. I will say that I do find the Burgin/O'Conner translation superior to the Glenny, but it is interesting to compare how the different translators have dealt with the Russian text. When I receive the Pevear/Volokhonsky version I will have a third opinion to compare. The real reason I am writing this is to say that I disagree with those who say if you can't read it in the original, it's not worth it. It is definitely worth it. In 1967 I fell in love with this book using the translation that seems to be regarded as the poorest of them all, and while I am enjoying the new translation much more, I would recommend reading this book in any translation you can get. It is simply a book that is so good it is worth reading no matter what. Get the best translation available, read it, and don't be discouraged by those who say you have to read it in the original. However, if you can read Russian and want to get a copy in the original, it is available from the White Nights Bookstore... The entire site is in Russian, and it offers an impressive array of books from "Internet for Dummies" in Russian to translated Danielle Steele novels (horrors!). I was amazed at the Russian language sources on the net. From siber you can get instructions on Russifying your computer so that with the click of a toggle, you can type in Russian or back to English. Another source of books in Russian is Hermitage... Znanie Bookstore in San Francisco has a site in progress... There are many others, so go searching! Thanks to Amazon.com for providing this forum for all of us to tell the world about this incredible book! Everyone should read it!
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Summary: Finally a worthy translation
Review: This review refers to the Pavear & Volokhonsky translation. More than two years ago, I expressed a hope that this translation will take place. My hope came through. While not perfect (a perfect translation is not possible) we have a valiant attempt at conveying the poetry of the original Russian sound. This is the only English translation of this magnificent book that should be read by anyone. I am baffled by the fact that the book is not available in the States -- I had to buy it in Australia! The magic is back -- believable love at first sight, believable prayer that conjures up a miracle, believable Moscow and Jerusalem. Pavear and Volokhonsky took great care in rendering the tonalities and oddities in Bulgakov's Russian. They did not shy away from diminutives or alternative pronunciations of Biblical names and places. If you are not fluent in the Russian language and culture, this is a close as you can get to it in English.
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Summary: Protest literature
Review: "The master and Margarita" is first a piece of protest literature written under Stalin. Woland and his reticue represent the Party, revising history and promulgating impossibilities. Whatever Woland says becomes fact, much like Stalin. This is a valuable novel because of its historical context. It manages to maintain a constant and very funny energy that flies in the face of all that Stalin's communists believed in. The scene where Margartia destroys the critics apartment building is brilliant as it shows the depth of the individual's subconscious violence against the all-powerful state. This novel is full of a barely contained energy. It's later vitality comes when this energy is turned from Moscow to Jerusalem, as Bulgakov revises the story of Pontius Pilate, and broadens his ken to an almost impossible array of ambition. The parallels of the story are impressionistic but have a major impact.
Rating:
Summary: The best book ever written
Review: This is the only book I can read from time to time and still be completely enthralled. It is an amazing commentary on life in the former Soviet Union. Buy it, read it, tell a friend...
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: This book is a literary masterpiece. Three stories interwoven that tell the of the atheistic Stalinist times, the story of Pontius Pilate and a love story. This book makes you question your religious beliefs and gives "character" to Satan and his entourage. Never have I read such brilliantly written book. I only wish I could read Russian. I am sure that we are losing some of his genius in translation. It is a must read!
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