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Summary: Completely and delightfully imaginative
Review: The Master and Margarita is an intriguing novel that wraps itself around the lives of Russian literary artists in Moscow. The story is a good example of how religion was expressed in Russia. The author keeps the imagination working overtime as the novel takes many unexpected twists and turns and touches on aspects of the religious, holy and unholy, world that as humans we cannot fathom. Terribly interesting and completely readable without religious knowledge.
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Summary: This is a novel on a grand scale.
Review: This book is one of those that achieve what most books aspire to achieve: it colors your dreams and changes the way you think. It is an amazing series of interwoven tales about Pontius Pilate, Jesus, and writers in twenties-era Moscow that call into question mythologies and conventional Judeo-Christian notions of good and evil. There are few novels I've read that have so skillfully alternated between comedy and tragedy. It explores love, despair, and hope--subjects that are constantly written about in a trite and contrived fashion--in a beautiful and ultimately poignant way. (This is an alternative classic in Russia: hard-core fans make pilgrimages to the apartment in Moscow upon which Bulgakov based the apartment in the book to paint the stairwell with drawings of the characters.) In short, I could not give it a higher rating.
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Summary: Greatest novel - absolutely terrible translation
Review: Well , I'm not going to repeat all that was said about this novel . Master and Margarita is one of the greatest ( if not the greatest ) literature masterpieces of the 20th century . But the way this novel is being translated and mutalated ruins it . Original version in Russian is by far more superior , colorfull , emotional , charming , well... you name it . Ms.Ginsberg's translation , thought is very proper and close to the original , lacks the magic of Bulgakov's masterpiece . All the dialogs are translated word by word , which in many cases makes it dull and flat when read in English . Also , though I'm not quite sure who's doing is that , but it looks like the whole pages of the original novel were left out ( not to mention butchered dialogs , that are also cut short in many cases ). The whole adventure of Behemot and Koroniev at the foreign currency store ( TORGSIN ) is missing !!! That's quite a few pages , isn't it ???? In short , read the novel , do not deprive yourself of that great joy , but do find a different ( complete ) edition , with a different translator .
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Summary: Something to keep your mind working
Review: I first read the book when I was about 12 years old. Since then I have re-read it numerous times and had a different experience every single time while following the same story. You can read just the story of Christ's execution or enjoy the life of the city of Moscow in the light of Lucifer himself visiting that city. And both stories are beautifully blended together giving you a unique view on things that surround you in everyday life.
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Summary: Everything of Genius is simple; this is geniusly Crazy!
Review: This book just overtakes the reader by a steady wave; often, an oxygen mask may be needed to survive all overwhelming feelings that just sneak up on you out of the dark..... It is dark, funny, a book that is written from the bottom of a Russian heart - and I should know, I am Russian. Not enough reviews can persuade one to read it, you just have to do it one day. This book crosses all boundaries of literature. Catch 22 of its own kind... Once you have it on your bookshelf, it wont get dusty; it will be reread over and over by everyone in your family.. Heartwarming and crazy, those of us who think we are out of control - well, this will give you a new perspective on yourself and everything you do!
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Summary: The most romantic book in Russian literature.
Review: While everyone comments on the novel itself, I feel the need to comment on the quality of existing translations. The one done by Michael Glenny is very elaborate and verbally close to the original text. However, it is apparent that he never cared to find out the details of life in the Soviet Russia in the '20s, thus his text does not relay all the esoteric details of subtle Bulgakov's humor and sarcasm. Read Mirra Ginsburgh's translation for better understanding of the sole of the book -- but beware, she completely let out big parts of the novel, some of them are essential. There is not a single word in this book that is out of place or has no purpose -- I urge you, read carefully and read both translations -- after all, it is only the best book ever written
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Summary: MAGIC,DEMONIAC,HISTORIC...PHENOMENAL!!
Review: ONE OF THE BEST BOOK OF THE CENTURY...travel with the procurator of judee to the last day of the life of jesus...to moscow jet set driving crazy...via the satanic lovely magician Professor Woland!! ENJOY IT FAST!!
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Summary: This book is an intellectual's delight.
Review: The Master and Margharita is a treasure chest of wild, creative thought and enthralling characters. I recommend it to anyone, particularly those tired of reading painfully dry Jane Austen or Emily Bronte novels.
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Summary: Nabokov's magic Russian shabily treated by a fat fisted hack
Review: "Insomnia, your stare is dull and ashen. My love forgive my apostasy."So Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov begs forgiveness from his beloved Russian for revealing its secrets, its depths, its magic, to dumb Americans. Magic. Magicians. And here comes Mikhail Afanasevich Bulgakov, all thumbs, stuffing an annoyed rabbit back into a hat; removing him with equal trouble. His magic cloth is polyester and tattered. His characters are stock selections (has he NEVER been to opera, buffa or seria?) And what indelicacy! A red-haired goat-like butcher named for his Azazel paradigm. Tired broom stick, bore of toddlers; multiple realities, the mode of Russia in the twentieth century. Worth reading. Then burning. Then switch to Nabokov, and never leave him.
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Summary: THE GREATEST NOVEL OF THIS CENTURY
Review: This book is the "Testament" for the Russians. If you wanna make friends with them - just mention that you know ABOUT this book - and bingo! It is a multilayered story that concerns everyone and everybody, anywhere in the world and any time from the the year 33 AD up to this very minute. Again, it is NOT about Russia or Russians - "it talls for thee". No man can ever give a full and comlete tribute to this great novel - I can only express my own awe and admiration. A mortal can never create such a novel: Bulgakov was only a choosen "receiver" and diligent "recorder" of the ideas and words of the Divine Supreme Creator. It's true for all the masterpieces of Art and Literature, but this Book simply confirms and justifies this point to the fullest. Boris Gontarev
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