The Master and Margarita (Vintage Classics)
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Review
This novel, considered by many a masterpiece of 20th century Soviet era literature, is complex and many layered. It tells three stories, including that of Pontius Pilate and Jesus, the story of the Master who is in an insane asylum and his true love Margarita, and a writer who wants to destroy his own masterpiece which is the first story of Pontius Pilate. The main story is set in Russia in the 1930's and involves the devil who is disguised as Professor Woland, who can use black magic. Actually, listeners may wish for some magic of their own to keep the three stories straight, to separate fantasy from reality and to appreciate the nuances of the stories, all of which require a knowledge of art, religion, history, the Soviet era and the life of Christ. In addition, there is the usual difficulty of keeping the Russian names straight as characters are called by alternating versions of their first, middle and last names throughout. And then there is the fact that this novel is a satire and so it is up to the listener to figure out if the author actually means what he is saying. Fortunately, narrator Julian Rhind-Tutt, a British actor, is a magician with his voice. Within a minute, he can voice three characters and the narrator, gliding silkily from one to another with great distinction among them. Even if listeners aren't totally sure what is going on at all times, this audiobook is still is a pleasure to listen to. And after this audiobook, listeners can always go on to read the book with a confidence gleaned from this intelligent and entertaining interpretation. --Soundcommentary.com
Bulgakov's satire of the greed and corruption of Soviet authorities illustrates the redemptive nature of art and faith, and Julian Rhind-Tutt's superb interpretation does the classic full justice. With a dramatic flair and a deep, multilayered voice, he pulls off a host of fantastical characters including Professor Woland (Satan) and several of his associates, Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ, witches and madmen and a variety of early 20th-century Moscow literary and theater types. --Publisher's Weekly --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Bulgakov's satire of the greed and corruption of Soviet authorities illustrates the redemptive nature of art and faith, and Julian Rhind-Tutt's superb interpretation does the classic full justice. With a dramatic flair and a deep, multilayered voice, he pulls off a host of fantastical characters including Professor Woland (Satan) and several of his associates, Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ, witches and madmen and a variety of early 20th-century Moscow literary and theater types. --Publisher's Weekly --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Book Description
A fierce satire, filled with dazzling surreal humour
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 91 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There is little that I could write to do sufficient justice to such an inspired flight of the imaginaltion. The dual settings in the novel of the fantastical last few days in the life of Jesus Christ compared to the chaos of a timeless Moscow held in thrall by the Devil in the guise of a cheap stage magican. The plots are so diverse and the characters are totally compelling (amongst them is Behemoth a cigarette smoking, gun toting, 5ft Black cat!) I have never read anything so darkly compelling yet wickedly funny that works on so many levels. I have read this book at least once a year for the last 6 years and I think I will continue to do so until I have picked it clean, and that will take me good while yet. Bulgakov is the true Master.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I became interested in Russian literature a couple of years ago, and although I've yet to attempt the really big Dostoevsky and Tolstoy efforts, The Master and Margarita is one of the best books I've ever read. There are half a dozen incredibly detailed and believable characters, and a range of narratives from the private lives of ordinary Russian citizens to a deeply moving account of Jesus' last days - fascinating from my non-believer viewpoint (but don't get the idea that this is a religious book). Exciting, moving, brilliant.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If I was to name one book as my favorite of all times this has got to be it. It is hugely entertaining, incredibly moving and a multi-layered description of the burocratic hell that is Moscow in the early 20th century. Needless to say the book is a classic, there will ALWAYS be burocratic hells around.
It is quite brilliant to have satan come to save the world, to make bad things happen to bad people and to save the last remaining good souls from destruction.
But the real beauty of the book is the wonderful book within the book, the master's masterpiece, the story of Pontius Pilate. I often read these chapters by themselves for it is a wonderfully written story of Christ and his tormentor.
Anyway, if you haven't read it, please do. if you enjoy good literature you will not be disappointed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Bulgakov, Master & Margarita
Excellent presentation - short summary of context; short history of the text; brief glossary and notes to further contextual understanding - much better than the Kindle edition... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Russell56
Classic Russian fiction
I don't think so. Muddled inconsequetial reworking of the Faust story. Like a Lord of the Rings written by Monty Python or the Goons.
Published 1 month ago by phoebe
This will be your favourite book!
Having been a student of Russian literature, and read this in the original, I can honestly say that Bulgakov had a flair for imagination to rival Tolkien or Mervyn Peake. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Marius
Literary
I ordered this book for my wife who is Ukrainian. It was one of the books she studied at school, then of course written in Russian. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Eurobold
Imagination Run Riot
If one were to offer stars for imagination, this would get six. But as an attack on the culture of Stalin, this oblique attack is formidable, multi-faceted and would have been very... Read more
Published 3 months ago by The Outsider
master and margarita
I did not read the book myself but heard that it is a masterpiece, so gave it as a gift to a friend who is into classics (eg. Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, etc.). Read more
Published 6 months ago by smart_shopper
Brilliant, brilliant... and a little more brilliant!
Every now and again we all come across a book which is fantastic in every way. Often it is something that has been around for decades nut somehow eluded us. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Book Republik
absolute masterpiece
the best Russian novel I've ever read, precursor of magic realism. The devil, Jesus, a talking black cat - funny, full of incredible scenes, would recommend to anyone.
Published 7 months ago by F. Geering
Disappointing
I first read the Master and Margarita as a student some twenty years ago, in Croatian, my mother tongue. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Goranka
High expectations
I was recommended this book many years ago by a bookseller who told me that I couldn't know fiction until I'd read The Master and Margarita. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Curlygirl
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