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Kevin Ansbro's Reviews > The Master and Margarita
The Master and Margarita
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Kevin Ansbro's review
bookshelves: awesome-premise, classic-literature, escapism, favourites, funny-as-f, human-cruelty, immorality, literature-for-grown-ups, magical-realism, modern-fable, morality, parable, spiteful-humour, shocking-for-its-time, years-ahead-of-its-time, allegory, russian-literature
Jun 06, 2020
bookshelves: awesome-premise, classic-literature, escapism, favourites, funny-as-f, human-cruelty, immorality, literature-for-grown-ups, magical-realism, modern-fable, morality, parable, spiteful-humour, shocking-for-its-time, years-ahead-of-its-time, allegory, russian-literature
"The devil went down to Georgia Moscow, he was looking for a soul to steal."
‱÷°ù¾±³¾³Ü²õ
Phew! I needed a margarita after finishing The Master and Margarita! What a magnificent, turbulent read!
This extravagant Russian allegory is an adult 'Alice in Wonderland' bursting at the seams with mischief, darkness and rambunctiousness. The ghosts of Faust and Dante must have sat on the author's shoulders as he worked tirelessly on this masterpiece.
In short, this book was made for me! Come down from the heavens, Mikhail Bulgakov, and give me a hug, my brother from another мамочка. I'm so glad we found each other!
The Devil and his motley crew breeze into 1930s Moscow and begin to wreak havoc by reading people's minds, decapitating citizens and throwing an astonishing stage show that scandalises the local glitterati. To give you some inkling of what we're dealing with here, one of Satan's sidekicks is a talking cat the size of a pig, who is always in the thick of things (Bulgakov was evidently writing magical realism before Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez was even born). The humour is riotous and the badinage so hilarious that I was holding my ribs, kicking my legs and Cossack dancing around the room!
In tandem with all of this magic and mayhem (please bear with me, dear reader) is a travel back in time to the trial and eventual crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. These subplot scenes are written in a completely different hist-fic style and are amazingly cinematic. The author's juxtaposition of the supernatural and the real is a constant stratagem throughout.
It would take me all day to discuss the symbolism that underpins this incredible book, so I won't bore you with every detail. Suffice to say that Bulgakov sets out to satirise the Stalinist regime he was oppressed by (was Orwell's Animal Farm inspired by this novel?) and the Devil is on hand to mete out an extreme brand of either punishment or reward to whoever displeases or pleases him (human cowardice is what really gets his goat).
The underlying parable jumps about all over the place � and sometimes out of windows on a broomstick! Heck, there is even a Magritte-style talking suit! I'd be lying if I said I'd grasped the significance of all of the author's philosophical analogies, but I certainly had a lot of fun trying.
I loved this book; really loved it. And it's incredible to think that The Master and Margarita was fashioned in the 1920s. It was years ahead of its time and is like no other novel I've ever read.
Clearly, this book wouldn't be for everyone, but if you like your literature dark, magical, intellectual, thought-provoking and absurd, then you should find room for it on your shelves.
This was a buddy read with my wonderful magical realism friend, Kimber Silver.
Kimber's review
�
‱÷°ù¾±³¾³Ü²õ
Phew! I needed a margarita after finishing The Master and Margarita! What a magnificent, turbulent read!
This extravagant Russian allegory is an adult 'Alice in Wonderland' bursting at the seams with mischief, darkness and rambunctiousness. The ghosts of Faust and Dante must have sat on the author's shoulders as he worked tirelessly on this masterpiece.
In short, this book was made for me! Come down from the heavens, Mikhail Bulgakov, and give me a hug, my brother from another мамочка. I'm so glad we found each other!
The Devil and his motley crew breeze into 1930s Moscow and begin to wreak havoc by reading people's minds, decapitating citizens and throwing an astonishing stage show that scandalises the local glitterati. To give you some inkling of what we're dealing with here, one of Satan's sidekicks is a talking cat the size of a pig, who is always in the thick of things (Bulgakov was evidently writing magical realism before Gabriel GarcÃa Márquez was even born). The humour is riotous and the badinage so hilarious that I was holding my ribs, kicking my legs and Cossack dancing around the room!
In tandem with all of this magic and mayhem (please bear with me, dear reader) is a travel back in time to the trial and eventual crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. These subplot scenes are written in a completely different hist-fic style and are amazingly cinematic. The author's juxtaposition of the supernatural and the real is a constant stratagem throughout.
It would take me all day to discuss the symbolism that underpins this incredible book, so I won't bore you with every detail. Suffice to say that Bulgakov sets out to satirise the Stalinist regime he was oppressed by (was Orwell's Animal Farm inspired by this novel?) and the Devil is on hand to mete out an extreme brand of either punishment or reward to whoever displeases or pleases him (human cowardice is what really gets his goat).
The underlying parable jumps about all over the place � and sometimes out of windows on a broomstick! Heck, there is even a Magritte-style talking suit! I'd be lying if I said I'd grasped the significance of all of the author's philosophical analogies, but I certainly had a lot of fun trying.
I loved this book; really loved it. And it's incredible to think that The Master and Margarita was fashioned in the 1920s. It was years ahead of its time and is like no other novel I've ever read.
Clearly, this book wouldn't be for everyone, but if you like your literature dark, magical, intellectual, thought-provoking and absurd, then you should find room for it on your shelves.
This was a buddy read with my wonderful magical realism friend, Kimber Silver.
Kimber's review
�
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Reading Progress
May 10, 2020
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 10, 2020
– Shelved
May 28, 2020
–
Started Reading
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
awesome-premise
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
classic-literature
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
escapism
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
favourites
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
funny-as-f
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
human-cruelty
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
immorality
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
literature-for-grown-ups
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
magical-realism
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
modern-fable
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
morality
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
parable
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
spiteful-humour
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
shocking-for-its-time
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
years-ahead-of-its-time
June 6, 2020
– Shelved as:
allegory
June 6, 2020
–
Finished Reading
February 19, 2022
– Shelved as:
russian-literature
Comments Showing 1-50 of 163 (163 new)
message 1:
by
Beata
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
May 28, 2020 10:43AM
Looking forward to your review, Kevin :))
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Beata wrote: "Looking forward to your review, Kevin :))"Thanks, Beata! Loving it so far! : )
I'm delighted to hear this, Kevin :)) This novel has been by beloved novel for years :)) So, keep on loving it!! :))
Incredible book - really want to make time to re-read this. Enjoy!
Sonia wrote: "Incredible book - really want to make time to re-read this. Enjoy!"Thanks, Sonia. I'm five chapters in and It's exceeding all expectations!
Cannot wait to read your review Kevvy! This is one of my all time favourites. I just know you'll get so much from it. Satire at its best.
Nat wrote: "Cannot wait to read your review Kevvy! This is one of my all time favourites. I just know you'll get so much from it. Satire at its best."So far, it's shaping up to be one of my favourite novels, Nat.
This book was waiting for me. : )
Kevin wrote: "Nat wrote: "Cannot wait to read your review Kevvy! This is one of my all time favourites. I just know you'll get so much from it. Satire at its best."So far, it's shaping up to be one of my favou..."
A perfect meeting of minds 💓
Kevin wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Incredible book - really want to make time to re-read this. Enjoy!"Thanks, Sonia. I'm five chapters in and It's exceeding all expectations!"
I'm so glad! I think this book is in a league of its own!
What a brilliant review for a magnificent story, my reading pal! This book was incredible. Thank you so much for the fun buddy read, Kevin! :-) We couldn't have picked a better novel.
Turbulent and extravagant are excellent ways to describe this quirky novel. I remember loving the first half, a long time ago. Great review!
Fantastic to read your intelligent, engaging review, Kevin. I've thought many times over the years that I'd like to re-read this one. I always loved the character of the cat.
Kimber wrote: "What a brilliant review for a magnificent story, my reading pal! This book was incredible. Thank you so much for the fun buddy read, Kevin! :-) We couldn't have chosen a better novel."Thanks, Super Kimber! We absolutely couldn't have chosen a better novel for a buddy read!
I thoroughly enjoyed swapping interpretations with you, and we both found some of the scenes hilarious! : D
Charles wrote: "Turbulent and extravagant are excellent ways to describe this quirky novel. I remember loving the first half, a long time ago. Great review!"Thanks, Charles! This atypical novel was definitely my cup of tea.
A spectacular review, Kevin! Like Kimber, you deserve a margarita, too. :-)
Robin wrote: "Fantastic to read your intelligent, engaging review, Kevin. I've thought many times over the years that I'd like to re-read this one. I always loved the character of the cat."Thank you so much, Robin.
Behemoth the Cat was pivotal to much of the humour in the book. What a glorious creation! : )
Laysee wrote: "A spectacular review, Kevin! Like Kimber, you deserve a margarita, too. :-)"Thanks, Laysee.
It's almost wine o'clock here, so I might have a few of those instead!
Faust, Dante, Orwell, GarcÃa Márquez and Carroll, all literary touchpoints in this amazing review, Kevin. I need a margarita after reading your enthralling review, never mind the book. Totally sold on this. :):)
Peter wrote: "Faust, Dante, Orwell, GarcÃa Márquez and Carroll, all literary touchpoints in this amazing review, Kevin. I need a margarita after reading your enthralling review, never mind the book. Totally sold..."Thanks, Peter!
Faust, Dante, Orwell, Márquez and Carroll - the confetti of literary influence thrown over me at various stages of my reading life. : )
This book is amazing and I'm so pleased it didn't pass me by!
Wow, I feel like I just snorted cocaine after reading this review. Who can resist this promotion?And, thanks to this line, I almost choked on a GR pretzel: Come down from the heavens, Mikhail Bulgakov, and give me a hug, my brother from another мамочка
I read this a few years ago and found it mesmerizing. I am sure I also missed a lot in the telling but it was "masterful". So glad you loved it.
I don't have nearly such fond recollections of this book from my university Russian Literature course. Glad you enjoyed it!
I’m getting the impression you quite liked this one Kevin :) Dark, zany, thought provoking and funny sounds good to me. Enjoyed your review a lot.
I read this a while ago and loved it. Didn't realize it was written so early! Excellent review, Kevin!
Fantastic review Kevin - sounds brilliant!
Stellar review, Kevin :)) This was my very first encounter with magical realism, and I admit I didn't find it compelling when I first read it being just a teenager. There were several other reasons I couldn't warm up to M&M, I can see it clearly. Let me just add, Kevin, that Bulghakov kept on writing and rewriting this masterpiece for years, until his death, and that uncensored version was published for the first time in the early 1970s. The censored fragments included the chapter describing the disappearing inhabitants of flat number 50 in 302a Sadova Street and many other. The presentations of 'organa' meaning the secret police and the mental hospital always give me shivers .. Bulghakov masterfully shows the reality under the cover of apparent leniency of the dictatorship .. Magical realism was the only tool he had ... There is a terrific Russian series which you can find on YT and which I recommend :) It's a secret but I watch it in Russian lol :) Take care, My Friend :)
Julie wrote: "Wow, I feel like I just snorted cocaine after reading this review. Who can resist this promotion?And, thanks to this line, I almost choked on a GR pretzel..."
Thanks, Julie. Please don't choke!
Marialyce wrote: "I read this a few years ago and found it mesmerizing. I am sure I also missed a lot in the telling but it was "masterful". So glad you loved it."Thanks, Marialyce. I loved your review!
Kim wrote: "I don't have nearly such fond recollections of this book from my university Russian Literature course. Glad you enjoyed it!"Thank you, Kim. I think a lot depends on the translation.
Richard wrote: "I’m getting the impression you quite liked this one Kevin :) Dark, zany, thought provoking and funny sounds good to me. Enjoyed your review a lot."I really liked this one, Richard. Bulgakov is my brother by another mother. : )
Sarah wrote: "I read this a while ago and loved it. Didn't realize it was written so early! Excellent review, Kevin!"Thanks, Sarah! So pleased you enjoyed it too!
Paula wrote: "Fantastic review, as always, Kevin!"I appreciate that, Paula!
Ceecee wrote: "Fantastic review Kevin - sounds brilliant!"It was, Ceecee. Books of this calibre don't come along too often.
Beata wrote: "Stellar review, Kevin :)) This was my very first encounter with magical..."Thank you so much, Beata. I know how much this book means to you and I appreciate all the background info! : )
Anni wrote: "Wow!"Thanks, Anni! : )
Brilliant review Kevvy. Bulgakov would be proud."Sublime"🌟
A beautifully written review, Kevin, of what sounds like a fascinating book.
Wonderful, entertaining review as always Kevvy. :-)
Nat wrote: "Brilliant review Kevvy. Bulgakov would be proud."³§³Ü²ú±ô¾±³¾±ð"🌟"
Thanks, Nat. You are a treasure!
Daniel Adam wrote: "A beautifully written review, Kevin, of what sounds like a fascinating book."Thanks, Daniel!
Fascinating doesn't even begin to describe it.
I miss our lunch dates in Norwich, Daniel. In fact, I miss restaurants, period! I'm crossing my fingers that in 2021 we'll be able to dine again - preferably without having to wear visors and hazmat suits! : )
Collin wrote: "Wonderful, entertaining review as always Kevvy. :-)"Thanks, lovely Collin! : )
A cat like a pig, broomsticks, humor, and absurdity—sounds like an acid trip, though you would definitely need your wits about you when reading this one! Excellent review, my friend. Glad you found a new cherished book. Here, I’ll lend you my pogo stick! Boing!
Wow brilliant review Kevin ! I’m loving this book at the moment- it’s just very crazy and absurd which is fantastic
If you would like to decipher all the symbolism in the book, I recommend Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita: The Text as a Cipher by Elena N. Mahlow.
A delightful review, Kevin! I'm almost inclined to read this book again, which I'm sure I was not imaginative enough to be enchanted with the first time round :)
Debbie wrote: "A cat like a pig, broomsticks, humor, and absurdity—sounds like an acid trip, though you would definitely need your wits about you when reading this one! Excellent review, my friend. Glad you found..."Thank you, Dazzling Debbie! I appreciate that.
And I would love to borrow your prized pogo stick, but not before I've disinfected it - you can't be too careful in the midst of a pandemic. : )
Lucy wrote: "Wow brilliant review Kevin ! I’m loving this book at the moment- it’s just very crazy and absurd which is fantastic"Thank you so much, Lucy! I'm looking forward to your review!
Oksana wrote: "If you would like to decipher all the symbolism in the book, I recommend Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita: The Text as a Cipher by Elena N. Mahlow."I have made a note, Oksana. Thank you very much!
